Enable or Disable Always Prompt for Password Upon Remote Desktop Connection to Windows PC [Tutorial]

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through enabling or disabling the "Always Prompt for Password" feature when connecting to a Windows PC via Remote Desktop. By default, Windows allows saving credentials for future connections, which can pose security risks. Adjusting this setting ensures that users must enter their password each time they connect, enhancing security.

Step 1: Access Remote Desktop Settings

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Key + R.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor. (Note: This feature is not available in Windows Home editions.)
3. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
   • Computer Configuration
   • Windows Settings
   • Security Settings
   • Local Policies
   • Security Options

Step 2: Locate Remote Desktop Services Setting

1. In the Security Options list, scroll down to find "Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication."
2. Double-click on this setting to modify it.

Step 3: Configure the Setting

1. To enable always prompting for a password, set the option to Enabled.
2. To allow users to save credentials and not prompt for a password, set it to Disabled.
3. Click OK to save your changes.

Step 4: Restart the Remote Desktop Service

1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges by searching for cmd, right-clicking, and selecting Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   net stop termservice
   net start termservice
   

3. This will restart the Remote Desktop service, applying your new settings.

Step 5: Verify the Changes

1. Attempt to connect to your PC using Remote Desktop from another device.
2. Check if the prompt for entering a password appears, confirming that the changes were successful.

Conclusion

You have successfully configured the Remote Desktop settings to either require a password every time a connection is made or allow credentials to be saved. This adjustment is crucial for enhancing the security of your Windows PC when accessed remotely. For further security, consider reviewing other remote desktop settings or implementing additional security measures like two-factor authentication.