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GaryHenry-4285's avatar
GaryHenry-4285
Copper Contributor
Oct 06, 2026

Windows 11 Remote Terminal server with a custom port across the internet

Hi All

I have the need to connect to a windows 11 box across the internet using RDP for a short period of time

I have changed the default port from 3389 to 44710.  I have tested this change on the local LAN and workes fine using the RDP App with the connection string of

192.x.x.x.:44710 

I have configured my firewall to look like this (I will restrict the source when I get it working)

 

I have configured the windows firewall on the windows 11 machine like this

When I try to connect over the internet I immediately get prompted for credentials

 

 

but all that happens is

 

 

 

Anyone have any ideas as to what I can do to make this work?

 

thanks for any help or advice

 

Gary

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1 Reply

  • Jamony's avatar
    Jamony
    MCT
    Oct 08, 2026

    Reaching the credential dialog indicates the router forwarding, RDP listener, and firewall path are probably working; the remaining failure is authentication or authorization. On the Windows 11 PC, confirm it is Pro or Enterprise, Remote Desktop is enabled, and the intended account is an administrator or member of Remote Desktop Users. Use the account format that matches the device: PCNAME\username for a local account or AzureAD\email address removed for privacy reasons for an Entra-joined device. Enter the account password, not a Windows Hello PIN, and keep Network Level Authentication enabled. Changing port 3389 to 44710 does not make Internet-exposed RDP safe. Microsoft recommends external access through a VPN or Remote Desktop Gateway. Connect through the VPN using the PC’s LAN address, then remove the port-forward rule. If direct forwarding is unavoidable for a brief test, restrict the router rule to your source public IP, use a strong unique password, and disable the rule immediately afterward.