Remote Desktops snap-in overview

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Remote Desktops snap-in overview

The Remote Desktops snap-in is a tool that administrators can use to administer multiple computers from a single remote location. By using the Remote Desktops snap-in, you can create Remote Desktop connections to multiple servers (including terminal servers) that are running Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 operating systems. You can also create connections to computers that are running the Windows XP Professional operating system. A navigable tree display provides easy switching between connections.

The Remote Desktops snap-in is included with Windows Server 2003. It is also included with the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools Pack (Adminpak.msi). The Administration Tools Pack provides server management tools that enable administrators to remotely manage Windows 2000 Server-based or Windows Server 2003-based servers from a Windows XP-based or Windows Server 2003-based computer. You can download the Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) version of the Administration Tools Pack from the following Web sites:

By default, when you connect to a Windows Server 2003-based computer, the Remote Desktops snap-in connects you to the console session of the computer that you specify in the connection. To run a specific program upon connection, create a new connection that specifies the program name, and ensure that the default behavior is not selected. For more information, see Specify a program to start upon connection using Remote Desktops snap-in.

Most of the procedures that you can perform with the Remote Desktops snap-in require that you be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing a given procedure.