Question Set up remote desktop connection in workgroup

[miha2]

TL;DR: I need to have my laptop be able to connect to my desktop while not on the same network; both of them are in the same workgroup.

Hi everyone,

First things first. Given: a laptop and a desktop. I (actually, my relative, but that's not the point; I'll be doing a majority of the tech stuff) need to connect a laptop to a desktop by means of RDP. The two computers are on the same workgroup (I know Windows Server would be an ultimate solution, but... come on, it's just two computers; why have so much hassle for only 2 computers, right?) The desktop has a MS account, the laptop has a local account. I enabled the remote session on the desktop, but...
1. How do I sign into the desktop from a laptop in RDP? At least, to test it first, whether the remote session would work. Remember that the desktop has a MS account
2. What do I need to do to enable the remote session while the laptop is outside the local network? The more secure the remote session would be the better... (Although I realize the ultimate solution is just to unplug the computer from Internet and not use external storage media at all. But still...)

I'm pretty good with computers, but not good with setting up remote sessions outside of the domains just yet. So any help would be appreciated.

P.S. I did a Google search, but found only "not so safe" ways to do it. Is there a more secure way to connect the two computers?

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

...................2. What do I need to do to enable the remote session while the laptop is outside the local network?........................

If you need to access the desktop computer via the WAN then the desktop PC will need a Pro version of Windows and a fixed public IP address. You'll also need to open some ports in the router. Doing that will expose the desktop to everyone on the Internet so it's not recommended at all.

Other remote-control options are available though. TeamViewer is one and it's free for personal use. You can access the desktop directly via its private IP address. For that to work you need to allow "incoming LAN connections" on both TeamViewers. If the desktop is not on the same LAN then you can access it over the WAN using its ID.

 

[Secret-Squirrel]

.........................PS: I forgot to say that if you decide on TeamViewer then your laptop will need the full version while the desktop will just need the simple "QuickSupport" version.

 

[miha2]

...fixed public IP address. You'll also need to open some ports in the router. Doing that will expose the desktop to everyone on the Internet so it's not recommended at all.

So Remote Desktop is not an option at all in that case? So how do the large companies have remote desktop then? Just out of curiosity; no pun intended.

TeamViewer is a bit on a more expensive side; this is why I was thinking about RDP in the first place. I understand everybody wants their piece of a pie, but hey, both the laptop and the desktop have Windows Pro on them, so... MS already has their piece, why share it with anybody else? Does it make sense?

Chrome Remote Desktop is not an option either, because it's prompting for a PIN for each session. So if there are any better (and free/really cheap) options, I might consider those; but paying $13.90/mo here, $x there, $y somewhere else... I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that Teamviewer isn't worth it for one computer; for large organizations - sure, why not; for one computer/one user - def no. I'm sorry, I just had to say it. It's too expensive.

 

[lantis3]

Anydesk, no MS or AnyDesk account required.

Install and set a password. Of course you have to write down and remember the 10 digit ID

No port forwarding required.

Another way is setup a VPN (ZeroTier or Tailscale) and use RDP, also no port forwarding required. Just use given virtual IP or computer name.

All of the above shouldn't matter with domain/workgroup, I guess. Haven't deal with domain for a long time, however.

RDP in a domain does need a RDP server license though.

 

[miha2]

OK.... Here's another question. NordVPN has a feature called MeshNet. Will that work as sort of port forwarding/will it help with setting up the remote session?

Anydesk is again, not free/cheap. From what I could find. Please correct me if I'm wrong.