In this article. Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2. You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android). Apr 21, 2020 Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a connection protocol developed by Microsoft to provide users with a graphical interface while connected to another computer over a network connection. The connecting user must deploy an RDP client software, while the receiving computer must deploy RDP server software. RDP setting Description Values Default value Windows Virtual Desktop support; autoreconnection enabled:i:value: Determines whether the client will automatically try to reconnect to the remote computer if the connection is dropped, such as when there's a network connectivity interruption. Mar 21, 2020 In this article, we’ll look at potential issues and workarounds that will allow you to enable Remote Desktop sessions for multiple users on Windows 10 and Windows 8/8.1. As with earlier versions of the Windows operating system, Windows 10 and 8 restrict the use of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to one remote connection.

1. Windows 10 Remote Desktop Rdp
2. Using Remote Desktop Windows 10
3. Windows 10 Remote Desktop Import Rdp Files

What is an RDP Client?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a connection protocol developed by Microsoft to provide users with a graphical interface while connected to another computer over a network connection. The connecting user must deploy an RDP client software, while the receiving computer must deploy RDP server software.

There are several RDP Clients for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2. The available client apps for different clients are listed below:

The RDP servers are built into Windows operating systems and can be enabled through the Server Manager panel.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant

You can download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant, and use it to enable Remote Desktop Services, hence allowing other devices to access your PC. Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Download and install the Microsft Remote Desktop Assistant after accepting the terms and conditions.
2. Click Accept and a Welcome screen appear. Click Got it.
3. Click Get Started on the screen that appears next. It lists down all the changes that the tool will carry out on your computer including:

• Enabling remote connections to your PC.
• Keeping your PC awake, making it available for connections.
• Changing your Firewall rules to allow Remote Desktop connection.

4. Scan the QR code that appears on the screen next, save the connection as a file, or choose your option to proceed further to enable connection using Remote Desktop.

Your computer is now ready to be accessible from other devices. Install and use Microsoft Remote Desktop client on the device that you will use to connect to your PC.

How does Microsoft Client work?

For the RDP client to work, the receiving machine must have Remote Desktop connections enabled. There are 2 most common ways to enable the RDP connection:

1. Right-click on the Personal Computer icon on your desktop, click on Properties from the drop-down list, and then select Remote settings from the list on the left.

2. Navigate to your Start Menu and go to Windows Settings, click on the System icon, and from the list on the left select Remote Desktop and enable it.

Latest Windows RDP Client

Due to the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), Microsoft is working on patching some bugs that occurred from using their RDP Client to connect to WVD instances. Two of the RDP Client (1.2.605 & 1.2.535) releases were mainly focused on fixing bugs instead of introducing new features.

The latest 1.2.1104 update of Windows RDP Client has the following changes:

• Support for Windows Virtual Desktop Spring 2020 update by updating the automatic discovery logic for the Subscribe option. Customers who have the Spring Update resources do not need to provide consent for the Fall 2019 release.
• The scale factor of high-DPI devices has been improved up to 400%.
• The issue where disconnect dialog did not appear has been resolved.
• The issue where the command tooltips appeared longer than expected has been fixed.
• The crash that occurred when trying to subscribe immediately after a refresh has been fixed.
• The crash that occurred when parsing date and time in some languages has been fixed.

An enhanced RDP Client

Parallels Client, is a completely free RDP Client. It leverages RDP technology, allowing users to instantly connect to either simple RDS infrastructures or Parallels RAS Farms.

It’s an intuitive RDP client that enables multi-tasking on applications and desktops. Multiple connection settings can be stored and utilized so users can keep workspaces docked under the same application window (or undock them to work in another window).

Moreover, features not supported by the Microsoft RDP Client—such as drag and drop, multiscreen support, zoom, client group policy and more—are implemented to provide a top-class user experience.

The mobile client enables all native gestures of iOS and Android, offering the best mobile experience on the market. Touch ID and passcode features are available to increase data security.

References

Remote Desktop Protocol | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Desktop_Protocol

Windows 10 Remote Desktop Rdp

What’s new in the Windows Desktop client | https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/windowsdesktop-whatsnew

Microsoft Remote Desktop Client | https://www.parallels.com/blogs/ras/microsoft-remote-desktop-client/

5 Best Remote Desktop Connection Managers | https://activedirectorypro.com/rdp-connection-manager/

Get Microsoft Remote Desktop Client | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/microsoft-remote-desktop/9wzdncrfj3ps

Since everyone started working remotely, I've personally needed to Remote Desktop into more computers lately than ever before. More this week than in the previous decade.

I wrote recently about to How to remote desktop fullscreen RDP with just SOME of your multiple monitors which is super useful if you have, say, 3 monitors, and you only want to use 2 and 3 for Remote Desktop and reserve #1 for your local machine, email, etc.

IMHO, the Remote Desktop Connection app is woefully old and kinda Windows XP-like in its style.

There is a Windows Store Remote Desktop app at https://aka.ms/urdc and even a Remote Desktop Assistant at https://aka.ms/RDSetup that can help set up older machines (earlier than Windows 10 version 1709 (I had no idea this existed!)

The Windows Store version is nicer looking and more modern, but I can't figure out how to get it to Remote into an Azure Active Directory (AzureAD) joined computer. I don't see if it's even possible with the Windows Store app. Let me know if you know how!

So, back to the old Remote Desktop Connection app. Turns out for whatever reason, you need to save the RDP file and open it in a text editor.

Add these two lines at the end (three if you want to save your username, then include the first line there)

Note that you have to use the style .AzureADemail@domain.com

The leading .AzureAD is needed - that was the magic in front of my email for login. Then enablecredsspsupport along with authentication level 2 (settings that aren't exposed in the UI) was the final missing piece.

Add those two lines to the RDP text file and then open it with Remote Desktop Connection and you're set! Again, make sure you have the email prefix.

The Future?

Given that the client is smart enough to show an error from the remote machine that it's Azure AD enabled, IMHO this should Just Work.

More over, so should the Microsoft Store Remote Desktop client. It's beyond time for a refresh of these apps.

NOTE: Oddly there is another app called the Windows Desktop Client that does some of these things, but not others. It allows you to access machines your administrators have given you access to but doesn't allow you (a Dev or Prosumer) to connect to arbitrary machine. So it's not useful to me.

There needs to be one Ultimate Remote Windows Desktop Client that lets me connect to all flavors of Windows machines from anywhere, is smart about DPI and 4k monitors, remotes my audio optionally, and works for everything from AzureAD to old school Domains.

Between these three apps there's a Venn Diagram of functionality but there's nothing with the Union of them all. Yet.

Until then, I'm editing RDP files which is a bummer, but I'm unblocked, which is awesome.

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Using Remote Desktop Windows 10

About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

Windows 10 Remote Desktop Import Rdp Files