How to change RDP Listening Port in Windows

How to change RDP Listening Port in Windows 10/11.  

Using the registry editor to change the listening port will work in all versions of Windows. You will need administrator level permissions to make the change in this branch of the registry.

Using the Remote Desktop feature in Microsoft Windows can be incredibly useful for various purposes. Whether you are working remotely, providing technical support, or accessing files and applications from a different location, RDP offers a convenient solution.

RDP, which stands for Remote Desktop Protocol, is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft. This protocol enables users to establish a remote connection with other computers securely. By encrypting the data transmitted between the local and remote machines, RDP ensures that sensitive information remains protected.

RDP Default Port Number

To initiate an RDP session, you need to know the port number associated with it. In most cases, the default RDP port number is 3389. This means that when establishing a Remote Desktop connection, your computer will listen for incoming connections on port 3389.

RDP Access Over the Web

However, it's important to note that using the default port can make your system more vulnerable to potential security threats. Hackers often target commonly used ports like 3389 to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to systems. VPNs are a safer way to augment RDP and security. 

Change the default RDP Port Number

Start registry editor and go to the following key. Double-click to edit, change the port number to another of your preference such as 3390. Just about any number will do as long as it's not a well know port number or a port number used by another windows service or application. Using a high number, usually avoids the situation of overlap. 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber

• On the Edit menu, click Modify, and then click Decimal (to change from hex).
• Type the new port number relacing the old, and then click OK.
• Exit the Registry Editor.
• Restart the service for RDP or just restart the computer.