How to RDP with Azure AD Joined Windows 10, 11 Device [Easy Steps]

How do I Remote Desktop with Azure AD?

How to RDP with Azure AD joined Windows 10, 11 computer

Azure AD is a multi-tenant, cloud-based directory and identity management service provided by Microsoft. Users in an organization can sign up for numerous services and access them from anywhere via the cloud with just one login credential. They can also remote into Azure AD computers via RDP to access everything in the corporate network.

In this post, we will share how to join a computer to Azure AD and RDP with Azure AD.

Part 1. Join your computer to Azure AD (optional)

First, you need to join your remote PC to Azure AD. If your computer is already Azure AD joined, please skip to Part 2 to proceed with the next steps.

Note: Windows 10 version 1709 or later is required to connect to Azure AD, but 1809 or later to Remote Desktop with Azure AD credentials.

Step 1. Open Windows Settings and click Accounts.

Step 2. Select Access work or school from the left and click the “+ Connect” button.

Step 3. Click Join this device to Azure Active Directory at the bottom.

Step 4. Enter your email address, authenticate, and check the domain details.

Step 5. You are now connected to your organization's Azure AD, as well as the account used to login.

You can also use the PowerShell command to confirm that your device has successfully joined Azure AD.

• dsregcmd /status

If the output shows “AzureAdJoined=YES”, your computer is Azure AD joined.

Part 2. Enable Remote Desktop on the remote computer

Now you need to enable Remote Desktop on the remote computer.

Step 1. Press Win + R, input “sysdm.cpl”, and click OK.

Step 2. Go to the Remote tab, check Allow remote connections to this computer, disable the checkbox from Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication, and click OK.

Part 3. Remote Desktop to the Azure AD joined computer

Establishing an RDP connection to an Azure AD joined computer is not as easy as entering an IP address as usual. Let’s look through how to RDPto PCwith Azure ADaccount.

Step 1. On the client computer, search for Remote Desktop Connection and click Open.

Step 2. Click Show Options and click Save As to save the RDP file. Give the file a name, for example, AzureAD_RDP, and save it somewhere easy to find.

Step 3. Open the saved file using Notepad. Check that the following two lines are present. If not, add them.

• enablecredsspsupport:i:0
• authentication level:i:2

Step 4. Double-click the file and fill in the information. Enter the username of the remote computer that should be formatted as “.\AzureAD\[email protected]”. Then click Connect.

Step 5. Enter your Azure AD password if prompted.

Step 6. Now you can access and control the remote PC.

Best RDP alternative: An easier way to access remote devices from anywhere

RDP with Azure AD joined computers is quite time-consuming because it requires some computer skills. Therefore, we recommend using the best remote desktop software AnyViewer to access your remote computers easily.

Compared to RDP, AnyViewer has the following advantages:

Easier to use. With AnyViewer, you can one-click control the remote computer, while RDP requires entering information like IP address or username.
Windows Home/Standard supported. AnyViewer supports Windows OS and Windows Server OS, while the RDP server is unavailable on Windows Home or Standard edition.
Multiple sessions. AnyViewer supports concurrent sessions to help you manage several computers simultaneously, while RDP only allows multiple sessions on Windows Server with CALs.
Flexible file transfer modes. AnyViewer enables two file transfer ways, and you can conveniently transfer files between devices when taking or without the remote control.
Over-Internet connections. AnyViewer allows connections over the Internet without additional configuration, while RDP connection in different networks requires VPN or port forwarding

You need to download and install AnyViewer on your computers, but it is worth trying overall!

Step 1. On the host machine, click Sign up to create a new account and log in.

Step 2. Sign in to the same account on the client computer. The account will be assigned to your device once you successfully logged in.

Step 3. You can see the list of assigned devices by going to the Device interface. Click the device you wish to connect to and then click One-click control.

In a matter of seconds, the connection will be created successfully. Then you control your remote computer. The upper toolbar contains several features. You can transfer files, change the resolution, launch CMD, and perform other tasks.

►Note: If you have more than two remote PCs, we advise upgrading your account. After then, for a small cost, you can remotely control up to 10 devices at once and one-click control up to 100 devices.

Conclusion

That's all for RDP with Azure AD. Now you can Remote Desktop into the Azure AD joined computers. Suppose you think the process is complicated and are looking for an easier way to remote access. In that case, we recommend switching to professional remote access software AnyViewer to improve your work efficiency.