Remote Desktop Not Working

I have 2 computers which I would like to both be able to connect to each other using remote desktop. Both are running versions of windows 8.1 that have remote desktop built in. Let's call the computers computer 1 and computer 2.

The issue is that computer 2 (acting as a client) will not connect to computer 1 (acting as the host) even though I have followed the basic steps to allow for this.

Here is a link to the basic information about how to set up remote connection:
https://www.guidingtech.com/13469/how-to-enable-remote-desktop-in-windows-8/

Here is some more comprehensive information, provided by Microsoft
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...op-services/clients/remote-desktop-client-faq

When I approach this the other way around, computer 1 acting as the host and computer 2 acting as the client, it works fine.

Also, I am able to access shared folders when sitting in front of computer 2 and accessing files of computer 1 over the local network.

On both computers, under control panel-> system and security -> system -> remote settings, I have the remote desktop set to "allow remote connections to this computer" and I don't have the box below that checked [which reads, "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)].

In addition to trying the computer name, I also tried using the local IP address.

The username that I use for remote desktop is just the 1 user account that I have on the host computer.

 

I've never used Remote Desktop as Teamviewer is THE product for remote control. However this does sound like a typical firewall issue. Check that you have identical firewall settings for Remote Control on both systems.

 

I am another vote for Teamviewer i think it's alot better than remote desktop.

 

I always try to use the built in software first. Also, I believe we had another thread here where someone was saying that Teamviewer "broadcasts" onto the open internet. I can't seem to find the thread, though, so I might just be mis-remembering that.

In my case, the computers are just accessing each other locally and so maybe there is a better choice.

Thanks for suggestions about checking out the firewall settings. I will look into that.

 

By default Teamviewer doesn't allow internal LAN connections but I have mine set to allow LAN connections only. I can understand ppl being a bit sceptical about TVs safety, after all it is the the scammer's favourite tool, but I've been using it for more than 10 years without issue. Whatever you use, for LAN connections life is a lot easier if you adopt fixed IPs.