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Operating system: Windows 7 Professional

I have Remote Desktop enabled in Remote Settings (Start -> Right-click Computer -> Properties -> Remote Settings). It's saying that I need to enable the Windows Firewall exception for Remote Desktop.

So I went into Control Panel -> System and Security -> Windows Firewall. I pressed "Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall". I didn't see Remote Desktop in the list of programs, however. I've tried adding mstsc.exe to the list of allowed programs, but that didn't solve the problem. I think that's because mstsc.exe is the remote desktop client, not server.

I feel like this may be happening because of software I installed. Is there a way around this? Is there another way to enable Remote Desktop in allowed programs in Windows Firewall?

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Remote Desktop should automatically open the hole in Windows Firewall for you, once enabled. Are you running another firewall/security program? Is this a personal computer, or part of a corporate network? – Iszi Sep 6 '12 at 19:11
It's a personal computer. It's not on a domain. – Sam Pearson Sep 6 '12 at 19:17
One thing I should note: Remote Desktop worked for awhile after a fresh install of Windows 7. Then, after installing some software, it stopped working. I'm installing a virtual windows 7 and gonna install the same software to find out exactly what's causing it to stop working. – Sam Pearson Sep 6 '12 at 19:30
I found the culprit. It's Panasonic's FPWIN PRO 6.3. Now, I wonder if there's a way to fix all the damage it did to Windows Firewall, or if I'm stuck reformatting. – Sam Pearson Sep 6 '12 at 20:26
mstsc.exe is the remote desktop client, it has nothing to do with inbound connections. You need to open the connection for the Remote Desktop Session Host. – Scott Chamberlain Sep 6 '12 at 22:45

1 Answer

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I solved the problem by going Start -> Administrative Tools -> Windows Firewall with Advanced Security and creating a new Inbound rule for port 3389. The rule still isn't showing up in the list, however, but it is active.

Just a friendly warning! Watch out for Panasonic FPWIN Pro 6.3! It will trash your firewall rules.

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So you do not have a item called "Remote Desktop (TCP-In)" What edition of Windows 7 are you using? – Scott Chamberlain Sep 6 '12 at 22:58
@ScottChamberlain - Only certain versions of Windows 7 can host a remote connection. All versions can connect to a host. – Ramhound Sep 7 '12 at 14:44
@Ramhound yes, Sam's question is about hosting, that's why I asked him what edition he is using. – Scott Chamberlain Sep 7 '12 at 15:01
I'm using Windows 7 Professional. – Sam Pearson Sep 7 '12 at 15:45

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