Change the port that windows remote desktop listens on

Everyone knows that it is possible to remotely take control of a computer with the integrated tools in Windows, with this being useful to administer computers remotely or to help a friend that is having problems. I am also talking about the Remote Windows Assistance. Here is a brief description of these two connection modes:

Remote Assistance
This connection mode allows you to help a friend on their computer as long as it is running one of the following versions of Windows:

• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows 2003 Server

For more information you can also read our tutorial on remote assistance.

Remote Desktop
This connection mode, called Terminal Server Services in remote administration mode, allows you to administer computers that are running the follows versions of Windows:

• Windows 2000 Server (Installation of Terminal Server components is necessary)
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows 2003 Server

Now that this small presentation has been done, we can look at the tip that is dedicated to the Remote Desktop Mode.
The listening port is by default fixed at 3389 (TCP), which in other words means that all incoming connections will be done via the computers IP address on port 3389. In most cases this configuration will have no issues, although for one reason or another you may want to change the port number that listens. In this case it is obligatory to edit this in the registry which is what I will show you how to do in this tip.

Here is how it can be done:

Click “Start”, “Run” and type “regedit”. Click “OK” and you will have the Windows Registry open in front of you.

Go to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\
WinStations\RDP-Tcp

In the right hand side of the registry, double click on the entry called “PortNumber”, select “Decimal” and replace the entry in the field with 80.

You can also download these reg files that will change the listening port to 80, and back again to the default (3389).

Change the port to 80	Change the port back to default (3389)

To connect with the Remote Windows Desktop client, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications and click on the “Remote Desktop Connections” icon. Enter the IP address or the computer name that you want to connect to, followed by the port number. See the following example: