20 Aug How to Allow a Standard User to Use RDP Remote Access on Windows 7 and 10

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a built-in feature of Windows that allows users to access and control a computer from a remote location. While RDP access is typically reserved for administrators, there are cases where standard, non-administrative users need remote access as well. In Windows 7 and Windows 10, allowing a standard user to use RDP requires a few settings to be adjusted. This guide walks through the steps necessary to grant RDP access to standard users on both operating systems.

Understanding RDP and User Permissions

By default, only members of the Administrators or Remote Desktop Users groups are allowed to connect using Remote Desktop. Standard users aren’t included in these groups, so unless they’re explicitly added, they’ll be blocked from connecting via RDP.

These steps assume the target machine is already set up to allow remote connections and that RDP is enabled.

Steps for Windows 7

1. Enable Remote Desktop:
   • Open System Properties (Right-click Computer > Properties > Remote settings).
   • Under Remote Desktop, choose Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop.
2. Add Standard User to Remote Desktop Users Group:
   • Open the Control Panel and go to User Accounts > Manage User Accounts.
   • Select the user account you want to allow, then click Properties.
   • Navigate to the Group Membership tab and add the user to the Remote Desktop Users group.
3. Allow RDP through Windows Firewall:
   • Go to Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Allow a program or feature through Firewall.
   • Ensure Remote Desktop is checked for both private and public networks.

Steps for Windows 10

1. Open Settings and Enable Remote Desktop:
   • Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
   • Toggle Enable Remote Desktop to ON.
2. Add the User to the Proper Group:
   • Open the Run dialog (press Windows + R), type lusrmgr.msc, and hit Enter.
   • Inside Local Users and Groups, navigate to Groups.
   • Double-click on Remote Desktop Users and click Add.
   • Type the standard user’s name and click Check Names to verify, then OK.
3. Configure Firewall Access:
   • Open Windows Defender Firewall from the Control Panel.
   • Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
   • Ensure Remote Desktop is checked.

Testing the Configuration

Once the user has been added and the firewall settings are verified, test the connection:

• On the remote computer, open Remote Desktop Connection (type mstsc in the Run dialog).
• Enter the IP address or name of the host machine and click Connect.
• Log in using the standard user’s credentials. If everything is configured correctly, the session will start without issues.

Important Notes and Considerations

• Make sure the user has a password; accounts with blank passwords may not be allowed to connect on some configurations.
• RDP is only available on Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate and Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise editions; Home editions do not support hosting RDP sessions.
• For additional security, consider restricting RDP access via firewall rules to only certain IP addresses.

FAQ

Can standard users use RDP without being added to a group?

No. They must be part of the Remote Desktop Users group or have administrative privileges to connect.

Is RDP available on Windows 10 Home?

No, Windows 10 Home cannot host RDP sessions. It can only be used as a client to connect to other machines.

Do I need to configure the same settings on both client and host machines?

Most configurations are made on the host machine. The client only needs the Remote Desktop Connection app, which is built into Windows.

Will disabling the firewall block RDP access?

Yes, if the firewall is blocking port 3389 (used by RDP), connections will not go through.

Can I use third-party tools instead of RDP?

Yes, alternatives like TeamViewer or AnyDesk can be used, but RDP remains the native Windows solution and is ideal for LAN environments.