How To Install Remote Desktop On Windows 7 Home Premium

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Hi All,

I installed a home server for a friend with Win 7 Home Premium, opting to save him money, since he will never log onto the domain etc. I have not realized Remote Desktop is not a part of standard Win 7 Home install. This has created a pain, since we must use some 3rd party remote connection tool. This was OK until LogMeIn stopped being free. :)

My colleagues tell me there is a hack to enable RDP, and I have found some questionable downloads on the internet.

Before I take a risk with some of the stuff I came across, wanted to see if anyone has a proven method to enable RDP in Windows 7 Home Premium?

Thanks Much!

Ross42.

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:22 UTC

Just use Teamviewer. Way easier than fighting Microsoft.

16 Replies

Windows 7 Home Premium does not support an RDP server. You can connect to other computers through RDP from W7Home, but no other computers can connect to one running W7Home.

You can find alternatives, such as VNC software, GoToMyPC, Google Remote Desktop, etc.

A Quick google turned this up, haven't tried it so I can't tell you if it works: https://www.raymond.cc/blog/enable-remote-desktop-connection-in-windows-7-home-premium/

Gary D Williams

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:05 UTC

You cannot without a hack or a patch that would violate the terms of licence.

Using something like teamviewer, Remote Admin or VNC would be better.

Bill Morrow

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:07 UTC

C_J is right. RDP server isn't supported in Win7 Home Premium.

Best avoid the questionable downloads and use a free, safe alternative.

TeamViewer is still free for home use?

Edited Mar 2, 2015 at 17:53 UTC

I believe its only available in Windows 7 pro and enterprise unfortunately.

Ross42.

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:22 UTC

Just use Teamviewer. Way easier than fighting Microsoft.

Curtis3363

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:27 UTC

Ultravnc is the best even over Realvnc

David6267

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Mar 2, 2015 at 16:43 UTC

I'd just use VNC - or even better, I'd move them to a Linux distro if this just going to be a NAS/DLNA box, and he can use XRDP.

Echoing everyone else the hacks and shadowwear probably aren't going to be worth it; heck, a shiny new Windows 8,1 pro license is what, $130? I've seen $100 if you shop around, and less for upgrades.

There is a hack out there, it works but I would suggest using something else since hacks can often compromise security.

You should check out Splashtop.com

You can get a free license for Real VNC from the website, which is what I personally use. If you're worried about security then an SSH tunnel to the machine or VPN and it's all encrypted. Only disadvantage compared to the paid products like Teamviewer and LogMeIn is the requirement on port forwarding. But you never have to worry about the Teamviewer server that handles the connections being down ;)

The support is pretty good too ;)

Remote Utilities by Usoris is nice and free too.

Depends upon the requirement, you may also give a shot to Lepide remote admin tool that is available free and allows IT Administrators to remotely administer single or multiple computers in the entire network simultaneously spread across multiple domains.

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No need to hack anything. :) Plenty of free tools, including Remote Utilities, that are much better suited for remote support than RDP.

CarolB

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Mar 3, 2015 at 21:11 UTC

My vote is for Teamviewer, as long as this is for "friend" use and not commercial. I log into family machines (or mine at home) with it quite often and it works great. I compared it with VNC (while on my home network downstairs trying to reach a desktop that was turned on upstairs) and Teamviewer had better response time than VNC.

I use Teamviewer at home. Teamviewer is free for personal use...see http://www.teamviewer.com/en/help/213-How-exactly-is-private-use-defined. It's simple to set up, provides secure access, and can be set up for remote access anywhere without opening ports on a router.

I think Teamviewer is a better solution than a concurrent RDP "patch" (aka possible license-violating hack), unless you actually need to do a concurrent session that someone else can't see. The only valid use case I can see for the concurrent RDP patch is to remote into a HTPC without interrupting Windows Media Center recordings or TV/movie viewing. Btw, the RDP patch will probably require a static IP and opening a router port for access over the internet, unless you're using a separate VPN solution. Windows Updates will also break the concurrent RDP patch every few months.

Denis (LiteManager)

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Mar 31, 2015 at 09:04 UTC

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Use LiteManager for remote control, it's more usefully, there are contacts list, auto connect features and etc

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