How to: Change the listening port for Remote Desktop

To change the port that Remote Desktop listens on, follow these steps.

Warning: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious
problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system.
Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result
from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Please backup the registry before making any changes

1. Start Registry Editor.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\
TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber '

3. On the 'Edit' menu, click 'Modify', and then click 'Decimal.

4. Type the new port number, and then click 'OK'.

5. Quit Registry Editor.

For additional information, check the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

'307711 Remote Assistance invitation file does not contain correct port number.'

NOTE: The Remote Desktop Connection Client for the Mac supports only port 3389. 3389 is the default port. When you try to connect to this computer by using the Remote Desktop connection, you must type the new port.