Telnet is a remote access protocol that is typically used on Windows computers, although it may also be installed using Homebrew on a Mac or Linux system. This protocol is outdated and is no longer in use. Over the command line, the protocol is utilized. Since Telnet was created, better tools have been developed with a more user-friendly interface.
How to enable and use Telnet on Windows 10

Telnet on Windows 10

Telnet isn’t going away anytime soon. It still functions, but few people utilize it. Although there are GUI clients for Telnet that make it immensely easier to use, you will find that there are superior remote access alternatives available. However, Telnet can still be enabled and used in Windows 10.

Enable Telnet on Windows 10 – Control Panel

Follow these steps to enable Telnet on Windows 10:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to Programs.
  3. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
  4. In the window that opens, select Telnet Client.
  5. Click Ok and proceed with the on-screen instructions to install the client.

How to enable and use Telnet on Windows 10

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Enable Telnet on Windows 10 – Command Prompt

The Command Prompt in Windows 10 can be used to enable it.

  1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
  2. Run this command: dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:TelnetClient
  3. When the command completes, the Telnet client will be installed on your system.

How to enable and use Telnet on Windows 10

Enable Telnet on Windows 10 – PowerShell

To enable Telnet from PowerShell, follow these steps.

  1. Open PowerShell with admin rights.
  2. Run this command: Install-WindowsFeature -name Telnet-Client
  3. The Telnet client will be installed.

Confirm Telnet installation

Follow these steps to see if Telnet is installed on your system or to validate that it was successfully installed.

  1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
  2. Run this command: telnet
  3. You should see a message that says ‘Microsoft Telnet’. If the command isn’t recognized, Telnet has not been installed.

How to use Telnet on Windows 10

Telnet is a command-line application. It won’t install as a graphical user interface app, therefore you’ll have to use Command Prompt to use it. To connect to a remote system, you must be conversant with commands. Open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges.

Connect to server

telnet hostname port

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Conclusion

If you need to connect to a non-Windows system remotely, telnet may be a viable option. However, you’ll need to know the machine’s port and IP address, as well as the username and password. The system must also be configured to accept and allow Telnet connections. It all becomes a little boring, which is why there are cross-platform solutions that are lot easier to use.