Remote Desktop Connection - How to find my IP?

I have tried to find older topics and tutorials on this without success. This is new to me so hopefully there's something very simple to address the issue.

I have 3 computers. 1 x Win 8 Pro and 2 x Win 8 Standard.

I know only the Win 8 Pro machine can be a Remote Desktop host.
In System Properties I have checked the box to "allow Remote Assistance to this computer" (I don't know detail, but I am aware this is something different to Remote Desktop).

Also in System Properties, I have selected to "Allow remote connections to this computer". I have also tried to check the sub-section of that "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)".

All computers are set up at home, connected to a regular home router.

When I try to connect to the host machine I get an error (sorry I don't have details of that right now, but its some generic "no connection" error).

To get the host machine IP address I just used whatever google suggested..something like myipaddress.com.

Would that have given me the correct IP address?

Just typing ipconfig/all into an elevated command prompt will give you the Ip of that machine.

It will show up where it says IPv4 address.

Please read this> http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/26581-network-posting-tips.html

Hmm.. what I did try was typing "ipconfig" into the Start>Run box and it just flashed the black box (not sure the techy name for this? DOS screen?) very quickly.

What specifically do you mean by "elevated command prompt"?

Are you trying to connect from within your network or from an outside system? If you are trying to connect from another location you will have to find your public IP address What Is My IP ® | Shows Your IP Address. and port forward your router to the machine. Free Help Forwarding Ports - PortForward.com

I was trying to connect from within my network...or, um, inside my house. I say that because I'm not sure I have a network as such? Sorry, I'm a noob with this. I have my standard home router, and a wireless printer connected to it, and have also set up whatever it was to transfer files between my 2 laptops. There's a chance I haven't done something with the newest PC, the Windows 8.1 Pro one I want to use for the Remote Desktop Connection host - do I need to do something to add that to my 'network'? Give it a network name? Then open a remote desktop connection using that name, instead of an IP address?

What works best for me is to first type the IP of the machine you need to remote into "client machine", then use the IP address and User name of the client PC.

You can also use the PC name first instead of the IP then the User name second, basically the User name is the PC name without the -PC. The last two pictures shows both ways and either way will work.


So if the User name is the typical MediaCenter-PC just use MediaCenter not the -PC part, this is where you can run into problems and leaving off the -PC part is key.
To get the IP from the client machine follow directions in this link > http://www.eightforums.com/network-sharing/26581-network-posting-tips.html

You must also set up a User password on the client machine. Use that password when you see the password prompt and use the check box to save credentials as required. Password - Create for a User Account - Windows 7 Help Forums http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/7666-password-create-user-account-windows-8-a.html

Post a screen shot of the ipconfig/all from the client machine if you can't figure out which one is the actual IP address but it will be the one across from where it says IPv4 address............................192.168.x.x

Example below, second picture is the one you see first.

Thanks for the info. I'll give things a try tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a screenshot of my ipconfig /all.

So at home, I tried remoting into the machine using the IPv4 address and machine name but it wouldn't work.

Not sure where I'm going wrong here.

You need to use the User name on the second line not the machine name.

I posted pictures of both ways to make this clear. IP address or computer name first, the computer name has the -PC at the end. The User name does not.

You also need to enable remote desktop on the client machine via the Control Panel>System> remote settings, enable Allow Remote connections to this computer.


It's required that both machines have a password as well.

I think my error may have been not expanding the Remote Desktop Connection screen to show all options. I was only entering the IP address or computer name into the "Computer:" section.

I'm not sure what to do with the User name. The only user name I have is my Microsoft Account (email address). I use this to log into both machines, and assumed I could/should use that to log in when using Remote Desktop. On the host machine when I look at users allowed to remote in it says my xxxx@xxxx.com account has access.

ScottishAxe said:

I think my error may have been not expanding the Remote Desktop Connection screen to show all options. I was only entering the IP address or computer name into the "Computer:" section.

I'm not sure what to do with the User name. The only user name I have is my Microsoft Account (email address). I use this to log into both machines, and assumed I could/should use that to log in when using Remote Desktop. On the host machine when I look at users allowed to remote in it says my xxxx@xxxx.com account has access.

Click to expand...

You aren't sure what your own User name is?

It's not the msoft email, it's the name you used when you created the account Your name-PC.

Same as the one circled in blue "click on this PC" next to the msoft email address in the picture which should make it very clear.

Use this name, either IP or full PC name first line, second line don't add the -PC part.

This is very simple and you are really overthinking this.

This is about all I can do to help.

Thanks Ok, I get you about the username now.
I know this is becoming more complex than it ever should be

I'm sure I'll report back here soon with a success story.

Alright...we have some success And more questions

I have successfully created a Remote Desktop Connection within my home network. I did this using my IPv4 address and my actual Microsoft Account email/password. When first trying to connect I got this error:

I got around this error by unchecking the option on the host machine: Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)


It would not accept my "Username", eg Bob. It only worked with my @gmail.com Microsoft Account. I tried various ways to connect: entering both IP and Username manually (didn't work), and then just the IP and it then gave me the correct User as shown here:


Upon connection I received this warning:


After accepting that warning I was able to successfully connect.

So now the questions:
1. "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)" - what do I need to do to use this? What is it?

2. Should I be concerned/do anything regarding the certificate warning?

3. What do I need to do to connect externally? I know my external IP. A previous poster in this thread linked to some Port Forwarding instructions...like rules I need to set up on my router? Is this the correct advice and method for me to use to connect from outside my home network?

Thanks a lot for the help!

Not sure about the cert. requirement, it may be an Enterprise thing. NO idea on earth why it didn't work using IP and user name although I'm pretty sure those credentials were not entered correctly because it certainly works for me.

So finally remote desktop is working but now you are trying to remote in from outside the network?

Generally speaking remote desktop is for inside your own network but I believe can be used from outside the network although there are better programs for this like Team Viewer TeamViewer - Free Remote Control, Remote Access & Online Meetings

For remote in from outside the network using Windows remote you would also need the Public IP of the machine you are going to connect to. Open your router's configuration screen and forward TCP port 3389 to the destination computer's IP address "Public" address means the IP going out or WAN address. More directions for Windows remote from outside the network in the link.

Allow Remote Desktop connections from outside your home network

Click on this link to find the Public IP, you need the Public IP from the machine you need to connect to > What Is My IP | Shows Your IP Address.

Correct. Remote desktop is working inside my network. I now want to get it working from outside the network.
I used to use Remote Desktop several years ago (Win XP) to remote into my office server to run backup jobs.

I had a quick look at TeamViewer. Sure looks like a solution but I'd be interested to find out more about the pros and cons of Remote Desktop vs TeamViewer.

I have the public IP of my network. I'll go ahead and configure the port forward and give windows Remote Desktop a go.