Introduction
Connecting to a remote computer using Remote Desktop (RDP) is a common practice for IT administrators, support engineers, and remote workers.
While most people use the Remote Desktop Connection app (mstsc.exe), there’s also a faster, command-line method using the Command Prompt (CMD).
Whether you are looking to automate tasks, troubleshoot systems, or just prefer using CMD over GUI, this detailed guide will show you how to connect to a Remote Desktop using CMD, which is quick, efficient, and doesn’t require navigating through Windows.
Let’s start with the step-by-step process of connecting to a remote Windows system using the Command Prompt!
Also Read: How to Access your Windows VPS using RDP on Apple Mac?
Prerequisites
Before we jump into the commands, you need to make sure the following conditions are met:
- The remote computer has Remote Desktop enabled.
- You have the IP address or hostname of the remote machine.
- You have the correct username and password for the remote system.
- Both computers are connected over a network.
Also Read: How to restart the RDP without rebooting the Windows server?
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect Remote Desktop Using CMD
➔ To open the Command Prompt, you have to press ‘Windows + R’, type ‘cmd’ in the dialog box & hit ‘OK’
➔ There is a built-in command to launch Remote Desktop via CMD:
| mstsc /v:IPAddress |
You need to replace IPAddress with the actual IP or hostname of the remote PC.
★ Example:
| mstsc /v:192.168.1.101 |
With this, the Remote Desktop Connection window will open and attempt to connect to the specified IP.
Also Read: How to Fix the Incorrect Password Issue on RDP?
What additional Useful Parameters should you know?
Here are some additional switches you can use with the mstsc command:
Command |
Description |
mstsc |
It opens Remote Desktop Connection GUI |
mstsc /v:<IP> |
It connects to a specific remote PC |
mstsc /admin |
It connects in admin mode (useful for servers) |
mstsc /f |
It launches in full-screen mode |
mstsc /multimon |
It enables multi-monitor support |
mstsc /console |
It connects to the console session |
mstsc /shadow:<sessionID> |
It will shadow a session (used in terminal services) |
Also Read: A Guide to Fix RDP Error: An Internal Error has Occurred
Remote Desktop Not Connecting?
Find out the troubleshooting Tips:
➔ You need to ensure Remote Desktop is enabled on the remote PC (To check this, go to: System Properties > Remote > Allow Remote Connections).
➔ Firewall settings should allow Remote Desktop (TCP Port 3389).
➔ You need to make sure the user account has the ‘Remote Desktop Users’ permission.
➔ If you are connecting over the internet, ensure that port forwarding is properly configured.
Also Read: How to Check Users Logged in Remote Desktop?
Conclusion
Now you know how to launch a Remote Desktop session like a pro, straight from the Command Prompt!
Without clicking through menus, you can instantly connect with just a few keystrokes, such as mstsc /v:your-ip, whether it’s for managing a server, helping a teammate, or accessing your office PC from home.