Norton cannot allow a connection if Windows itself hasn't enabled the feature.
Look for or mstsc.exe in the list of programs. Set its access level to Allow from the drop-down menu.
Ensure your current network connection is added to the or Trusted list to bypass stricter public firewall rules. Important Troubleshooting Tips norton security allow remote desktop connection
Sometimes Norton blocks the specific executable used for remote sessions.
If it is not listed, click and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe to add it manually. Phase 4: Verify Windows Settings Norton cannot allow a connection if Windows itself
Norton’s firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet. It monitors incoming and outgoing traffic. Since Remote Desktop opens a specific "listening port" (usually TCP port 3389) to the outside world, Norton often views this as a potential security risk and blocks the incoming connection request by default.
I spent two hours troubleshooting why I couldn’t Remote Desktop into my home PC from my laptop. I kept getting the "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer" error. Turns out, Norton Security was silently blocking the connection. Ensure your current network connection is added to
If you are trying to connect to your computer remotely and the connection fails, it is likely that the Norton Smart Firewall is blocking the traffic. This guide will walk you through the steps to configure Norton Security to allow Remote Desktop connections safely.