Remote Desktop On Windows 11 Home

Check The PC You Want To Reach

Open Settings > System > About on that PC and look for Edition under Windows specifications. Windows 11 Home cannot host a connection through Windows' built-in Remote Desktop setting, although a Home PC can connect to a supported host. Windows documents the edition requirement.

APE Viewer shares the PC's real screens through its own app and supports Windows 11 Home. The steps below use APE Viewer on the desktop and the laptop.

Start With Both PCs On Your Home Network

1. Download the stable Windows installer from this site and install APE Viewer on both Windows PCs. Use the same current version on both.
2. On the desktop you want to reach, open APE Viewer and sign in. Under Hosting, turn on sharing. Keep that PC powered on and awake.
3. Connect the laptop to the same home network and sign in to APE Viewer with the same account.
4. Open Your PCs on the laptop and choose the desktop. Select one of its screens and connect.
5. Check that you can see and control the desktop. To switch monitors, open Screens on the stream toolbar and choose Show here beside another screen. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M if the toolbar is hidden.

Free has no time limit and needs no card. It covers one shared PC, one person and one screen at a time on your home network. Switching screens is included.

The Windows installer is not code-signed yet. If Windows shows its protected-PC message, the installation help explains the prompt.

Check The Two Ends Before Changing Settings

Check that sharing is on under Hosting, both apps are signed in to the same account, and the desktop is awake. If you previously hid it in Your PCs, look in the Hidden group.

For the first Free connection, keep both PCs on the same home network. If a guest network separates them, try the normal home network. Keep your firewall enabled and follow the connection troubleshooting steps for the actual error.

If it still fails, report the problem with the Windows editions, app versions, whether both PCs are on the same network, and the error shown. Leave passwords and sign-in codes out of the report.

Try One Screen First

Premium opens every monitor at once, each in its own window or full screen, and lets you connect from anywhere over the internet. For every screen, Premium on either the shared PC owner's account or the connected person's account is enough.

Once the first connection works, use the multiple-monitor steps or the guide to connecting away from home. The latter also explains Free's optional Tailscale route. See the current Free and Premium plans.

Can Windows 11 Home share its screen with APE Viewer?

Yes. The stable Windows app supports Windows 10 and 11, including Home. Install it on both Windows PCs, sign in with the same account and turn on sharing on the PC you want to reach.

Do I need Premium for a connection at home?

Free has no time limit and needs no card. It covers one shared PC, one person and one screen at a time on your home network. You can switch screens whenever you like.

Can I open every monitor at once?

Premium opens every monitor at once, each in its own window or full screen. Premium on either the shared PC owner's account or the connected person's account is enough.