Does Windows 10 Home have Remote Desktop?

Windows 10 Home includes the Remote Desktop client for connecting to other PCs, but not the host that accepts connections. That needs Windows 10 Pro — or SidianRDP on Home.

Will SidianRDP keep working after Windows 10 support ends?

SidianRDP runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It does not depend on Windows updates, so a Windows 10 PC keeps working with it; if you later move to Windows 11, you can move your license to the new installation.

Can I reach the Windows 10 sign-in screen remotely?

Yes. SidianRDP runs as a Windows service, so you can see and use the sign-in and lock screens, even after a restart with nobody signed in.

Guide

Remote Desktop on Windows 10 Home

Windows 10 Home can connect to other PCs but can’t be connected to. SidianRDP adds the missing Remote Desktop host for a one-time $29.95, so you can use a Windows 10 Home PC from another device with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps.

Download free trial See pricing

Why you can’t connect to a Windows 10 Home PC

Windows 10 Home ships with Remote Desktop Connection, the client app, so it can connect out. The Remote Desktop host — the part that accepts incoming connections — is only in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education. On Home, Settings → System → Remote Desktop tells you the feature isn’t available on your edition.

Ways to get Remote Desktop on Windows 10 Home

Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. About $99, and Microsoft’s host locks the PC’s own screen while you’re connected.
RDP Wrapper. An unofficial patch for the Remote Desktop service. It breaks often after Windows updates and is flagged by many antivirus products. See RDP Wrapper alternative.
Cloud remote-access tools. Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer and AnyDesk use their own apps and the vendor’s servers.
SidianRDP. A signed app and Windows service that turns Windows 10 Home into a Remote Desktop host you reach with Microsoft’s own apps, directly over your network or VPN.

Set up Remote Desktop on Windows 10 Home

Download SidianRDP on the Windows 10 PC and run the installer (64-bit Windows 10 Home or Pro).
Open SidianRDP — the free 21-day trial starts by itself.
Set a connection password and click Allow connections.
From another PC, open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc) and enter the address shown in SidianRDP, for example LIVINGROOM-PC:3387.
Use any user name with your SidianRDP password, then accept the certificate after checking its fingerprint.

You control the PC’s actual screen, including admin prompts and the lock screen. Copy and paste works both ways for text and files, and an optional privacy screen blanks the PC’s monitors while you work.

Reaching it away from home

SidianRDP connects directly — there’s no relay service in the middle. To connect from outside your home network, put both devices on a VPN such as Tailscale or WireGuard, or use your router’s VPN. Details are in How it works.

Your options, side by side

Option	Cost	Keeps Windows Home	Microsoft Remote Desktop apps	Keeps working after Windows updates	How you connect	What you see
SidianRDP	$29.95 once	Yes	Yes — Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps	Yes	Direct (your network or VPN)	Yes — the real screen, sign-in and lock screens
Upgrade to Windows Pro	About $99 once	Replaces Home	Yes	Yes	Direct	Locks the PC’s own screen while connected
RDP Wrapper	Free, unofficial	Yes	Yes	Often breaks until patched	Direct	Like Windows Pro (when it works)
Chrome Remote Desktop	Free	Yes	No — Chrome / Google app	Yes	Google account and servers	Yes
TeamViewer / AnyDesk	Free for personal use; subscription for business	Yes	No — their own apps	Yes	Vendor’s servers	Yes

SidianRDP

Cost: $29.95 once
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes — Microsoft’s Remote Desktop apps
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Direct (your network or VPN)
What you see: Yes — the real screen, sign-in and lock screens

Upgrade to Windows Pro

Cost: About $99 once
Keeps Windows Home: Replaces Home
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Direct
What you see: Locks the PC’s own screen while connected

RDP Wrapper

Cost: Free, unofficial
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: Yes
Keeps working after Windows updates: Often breaks until patched
How you connect: Direct
What you see: Like Windows Pro (when it works)

Chrome Remote Desktop

Cost: Free
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: No — Chrome / Google app
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Google account and servers
What you see: Yes

TeamViewer / AnyDesk

Cost: Free for personal use; subscription for business
Keeps Windows Home: Yes
Microsoft Remote Desktop apps: No — their own apps
Keeps working after Windows updates: Yes
How you connect: Vendor’s servers
What you see: Yes

Prices and features as published by each vendor; check their sites for current details. Product names are trademarks of their owners. SidianRDP is not affiliated with Microsoft, Google, TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

Questions

Does Windows 10 Home have Remote Desktop?: Windows 10 Home includes the Remote Desktop client for connecting to other PCs, but not the host that accepts connections. That needs Windows 10 Pro — or SidianRDP on Home.
Will SidianRDP keep working after Windows 10 support ends?: SidianRDP runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It does not depend on Windows updates, so a Windows 10 PC keeps working with it; if you later move to Windows 11, you can move your license to the new installation.
Can I reach the Windows 10 sign-in screen remotely?: Yes. SidianRDP runs as a Windows service, so you can see and use the sign-in and lock screens, even after a restart with nobody signed in.

Try SidianRDP free for 21 days

$29.95 once per PC after the trial, with a year of updates. No subscription, no credit card for the trial.

Download free trial Setup guide

SidianRDP is independent software by Sidian Web Studio LLC and is not affiliated with Microsoft. Windows and Remote Desktop are trademarks of Microsoft.