Two laptops, Mac OS X 10.9.1 and Windows 8.1

Using Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection 2.1.1 or Microsoft Remote Desktop 8.0.24308 on the Mac, I cannot connect to the local PC.

I took a look at the information mentioned here MS Technet: Remote Desktop Connection for Mac OS X cannot connect to Windows 8.1. Perhaps I just don't understand the instructions, or, because they are for a preview build they don't apply to me.

Windows Firewall is On, Inbound Rules > Remote Desktop - Enabled is Yes, Action is Allow.

When I open mmc.exe, I cannot find the "Local Computer Policy' snap-in".

I cannot find "Computer Configuration". I see Computer Management and System Configuration. Which means I cannot follow the instructions

Goto:
- Computer Configuration
- Administrative Templates
- Windows Components
- Remote Desktop Services
- Remote Desktop Session Host
- Security

Why is it so complicated to remote connect to a local PC. When I login via VPN, I can use Remote Desktop to connect to my Work Windows 7 PC.

Thanks for any assistance.

Francis

Is it really true that I need to add the Windows 8.1 Pro Pack for $140 to get this privilege:

"Enables you to host a Remote Desktop Connection on your own PC so you can connect to it when you're using a different PC"?

Basically, yes if that is what Microsoft says. You could connect from Windows to the Mac if the Mac can host remote connection and there is a client for Windows.

  If you want to connect from the Mac to the Windows machine, then Windows must host the connection.

  If it is available in your system, all you need to do is go to Control Panel |  System | Remote Settings and click on Allow remote connections. I have Pro so I can't say whether this in available in the standard edition.

Poked around everywhere, then found the definitive requirements here (of course);

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-8/remote-desktop-app-faq

You can use a PC running Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1 to initiate a connection. But you can only connect to PCs that are running these Windows operating systems:

• Windows 8.1 Pro

• Windows 8.1 Enterprise

• Windows 8 Enterprise

• Windows 8 Pro

• And older...

• Edited by designwallah Friday, February 07, 2014 5:57 PM
• Marked as answer by designwallah Friday, February 07, 2014 5:57 PM

My situation was slightly different. I was trying to remote desktop from Yosemite 10.10 to Windows 8.1, and I would get the error "Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer that you want to connect to." An easier fix is to upgrade Microsoft Remote Desktop 2.1.1 to Version 8.0.15 from the MAC App Store. Setup new connection; with pc name or ip address, Username: Domain\UserID, and password. You will get a security certificate dialog box. Set defaults. Next screen is a Windows 8.1 screen showing Other user; "There are currently no logon servers available to service the logon request." Click Ok. Then click the left arrow. You should now see your userid. Logon to Windows 8.1. Works great.