Log in to Windows 10 as Administrator using RDP

I have two Windows 10 machines. I remote into the desktop using my laptop. Remote works, but I cannot get Administrator access. Both are Windows 10 Pro. Both have the same local accounts, each with Administrator. If I log in directly, both give me Administrator access. Before I upgraded from Windows 8.1, I was able to remote as Administrator, at least as I recall. However, when I remote to the desktop, I do not have Administrator on that desktop.

I've tried about everything I know, including running RDP itself As Administrator. UAC is on Always Notify on both machines.

Is it possible to RDP as Administrator on Windows 10? If so, how? Thanks...

EDIT: Symptoms, in particular: Settings screen is blank, save for a gear in the center. Attempting to uninstall programs, the response was that I needed to be an administrator. UAC does allow me to elevate privileges, however.

2 Answers

Do you receive the error message "The connection was denied because the user account is not authorized for remote login" or do you see another error message? You can verify the account is granted remote login capability through the following steps:

1. Right-click on the Windows Start button.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click on Administrative Tools.
5. Double-click on Computer Management.
6. Under Local Users and Group, double-click on Remote Desktop Users in the right pane of the window.
7. Is the administrator account or "administrators" in the Remote Desktop Users group? If not click on the Add button to add the account or accounts to which you wish to grant remote login access.

Alternatively, you can click on Users under Local Users and Groups then double-click on the relevant account, then click on the Member Of tab. If you don't see Remote Desktop Users listed as one of the groups to which the account belongs, click on the Add button and then add Remote Desktop Users as a group to which the account belongs.

Example for a domain administrator account, but the process for checking remote login access for a local administrator account is the same.

I don't understand this answer, but I am going to provide it in case it helps anyone else. Understand, I have had this problem for weeks, but it was just an annoying hindrance so I didn't really dig in until now.

I finally logged in remotely as the real "Administrator" to see if that worked. It had already worked locally but, given my experience, I was surprised when it did work. After about a 30 second wait, the Settings panel displayed normally. Then things got weird.

I went back to my original local account that was assigned group Administrators but was not working. Again, after about 30 seconds or so, it worked and the Settings panel displayed normally. Earlier today and in the past weeks, I have let that panel sit for very long periods without change. Only after I logged in as "Administrator" did it work.