How to disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11

To disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Remote Desktop and turn off the “Remote Desktop” option.
You can also turn off the feature using commands with PowerShell and Command Prompt. Other options include using the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor.

On Windows 11, if you don’t use Remote Desktop, it’s best to disable the feature to minimize the risk of malicious individuals trying to gain unauthorized access to your computer remotely. The chances of someone exploiting this feature are relatively low, but it could happen.

Remote Desktop allows anyone with the right user and password to access a computer from another location using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) available on Windows 11 (and older versions) to access files and applications or offer assistance to other users. Although the feature is relatively secure, if your account credentials are compromised, someone may be able to access the device without your consent. If you don’t use this feature, I’d recommend that you disable it.

In this guide, I will teach you the different methods to disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11.

Warning: Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge the risks associated with modifying the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability or operational issues. Therefore, ensure you have a full system backup before making any changes. Proceed with caution and understanding. This feature is not available on Windows 11 Home. It is only available on Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. If you have to enable Remote Desktop, you can use these instructions.

Disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can disable the Remote Desktop feature from the Settings app, Control Panel, and commands from PowerShell and Command Prompt.

Method 1: Use the Settings app

To disable Remote Desktop on Windows 11 from the Settings app, use these steps:

Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on System.
Click the Remote Desktop page.
Turn off the Remote Desktop toggle switch.
Click the Confirm button.

Method 2: Use the Control Panel

To disable Remote Desktop from the Control Panel, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.
Click on System and Security.
Click the Allow remote access option under the “System” section.
Select the “Don’t allow remote connections to this computer” option under the “Remote Desktop” section.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

Method 3: Use Command Prompt commands

To disable the remote desktop protocol from Command Prompt, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to enable the remote desktop protocol and press Enter:

reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Command Prompt disable Remote Desktop

(Optional) Type the following command to disable the feature through the Windows Firewall and press Enter:
```
netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote desktop" new enable=No
```

Method 4: Use PowerShell commands

To disable Remote Desktop with PowerShell commands, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to disable the remote desktop protocol and press Enter:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' -name "fDenyTSConnections" -value 1

PowerShell disable RDP

(Optional) Type the following command to disable the feature through the Windows Firewall and press Enter:
```
Disable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"
```

Method 5: Use the Group Policy Editor

To turn off the Remote Desktop feature on Windows 11 through the Group Policy Editor, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for gpedit and click the top result to open the Group Policy Editor.

Browse to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections

Double-click the “Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services” policy.
Select the Disabled option.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

You can always undo the changes with the same instructions, but in step 5, choose the “Not Configured” option.

Method 6: Use the Registry Editor

To disable Remote Desktop through the Registry, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.

Browse to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services

Right-click the Terminal Services key, select the New menu, and choose the “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.
Name the key fDenyTSConnections and press Enter.
Right-click the newly created key and choose the Modify option.
Change key value from 0 to 1.
Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the Remote Desktop feature will be disabled on Windows 11.

If you no longer need this configuration, you can undo the changes with the same instructions, but on step 4, right-click the “fDenyTSConnections” DWORD and choose the “Delete” option.

It’s important to note that whether you use the Group Policy or Registry Editor, you will also be unable to configure the feature through the Settings app, and the settings page will display the “Some settings are managed by your organization” message.

Update July 18, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.