Fix: An Authentication Error Has Occurred (Code: 0x80004005) – Remote Desktop

When attempting to Remote Desktop (RDP) to a Windows machine, you may receive an error. The error seems to be related to Network Level Authentication (NLA) feature in the latest version of Remote Desktop for Windows.

As a workaround, disable authentication using a new RDP file.

1. Create a new saved Remote Desktop File. Go to Start -> type mstsc.exe to launch Windows remote desktop.

2. Click Show Options in the bottom left corner of the remote desktop window. Select Save As… and save the Default.rdp file to your Desktop.

3. Now, open the Default.rdp file in Notepad. Right-click Default.rdp -> Open with -> Choose another app -> More apps -> Notepad. (Alternatively, open Notepad and choose open from there)

4. Search for authentication level:i:2 and change the last number to 0. It should look like this after you edit it:

authentication level:i:0

5. Finally, add the following line to the end of the file to disable credential support.

enablecredsspsupport:i:0

6. Save the Default.rdp file in Notepad.

Now, use the Default.rdp file to connect to your remote desktop computer. You no longer have to provide credentials before establishing a remote desktop connection.