How do I fix “The connection cannot proceed because authentication is not enabled and the remote computer requires that authentication be enabled to connect.”?

In the more modern versions of Microsoft Windows (for example Windows 10 & Windows Server 2016) the RDP defaults have changed. The default for “SecurityLayer” has been changed from 0 to 2. Disabling: “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)” doesn’t change that value to a 0 either.

This can be fixed in the registry though:

• Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp
• Change “SecurityLayer” to 0

Et voilà! You can connect.

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