When using Remote Desktop, it uses the default port to connect. You can change the remote desktop port number for added security. Here’s how.
When connecting to a remote computer using Remote Desktop, it uses the default port 3389 to establish the connection. In fact, Remote Desktop always looks and hears to this port to establish connections.
Being a well-known port, it is one of the most prominent ones on the attack vector. Now, just because it is well known and prone to attacks doesn’t mean it is a liability or increases the security risk.
If you really want, you can change the remote desktop port. This is helpful if you are trying to customize the remote desktop or to improve the security. For example, changing the remote desktop port might be beneficial if you are configuring the system or router firewall.
Thankfully, changing the remote desktop port in Windows is pretty straightforward. All it takes is a couple of changes to the registry.
Without further ado, let me show you how to change the remote desktop port in Windows operating system.
The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.
Change remote desktop port in Windows
To change the remote desktop port, we must edit the registry. All it takes is a couple of clicks, which is pretty easy to do.
- Launch the Start menu.
- Search and open the “Registry Editor.”
- Paste the following path in the address bar.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp - Press “Enter” to go to the “RDP-Tcp” folder.
- Double-click the “PortNumber” value.
- Choose the “Decimal” value.
- Type the new port number of your choice in the “Value Data” field.
- Press the “Ok” button.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Reboot the computer.
- With that, you changed the remote desktop port.
Steps with more details:
Open the Registry Editor in Windows. For that, press the Start key on your keyboard, search “Registry Editor,” and open it. You can also use the “regedit” run command (Win + R).
After opening the Registry Editor, go to the following folder. For ease of use, copy and paste the path in the registry editor’s address bar and press “Enter.”
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp
Double-click on the “PortNumber” value on the right page.
Now, choose the “Decimal” radio option, type the “port number” of your choice in the “Value Data” field, and press the “Ok” button.
Next, close the “Registry Editor” and reboot the computer.
After rebooting, the Remote Desktop will use the new port.
Remember that the new port you use should not conflict with other applications.
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That is it. It is that simple to change the remote desktop port in Windows.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
