RDS: The RD Session Host server should be configured to allow remote desktop connections

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012

This topic is intended to address a specific issue identified by a Best Practices Analyzer scan. You should apply the information in this topic only to computers that have had the Remote Desktop Services Best Practices Analyzer run against them and are experiencing the issue addressed by this topic. For more information about best practices and scans, see Best Practices Analyzer.

Issue

Remote desktop connections to the Remote Desktop Session Host server are disabled.

Impact

If remote desktop connections are disabled, users will not be able to connect to the RD Session Host server.

Resolution

Use the Remote tab in the System Properties dialog box to enable remote desktop connections on the RD Session Host server.

Remote Desktop must be enabled on the RD Session Host server so that client computers can connect by using Remote Desktop Connection.

Membership in the Administrators local group, or equivalent, is required to complete this procedure.

To enable Remote Desktop

1. Log on to the RD Session Host server as a member of the local Administrators group.

2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

3. Click Remote settings.

4. Select one of the following options under Remote Desktop:

   • To enable Remote Desktop and only allow client computers who are using Network Level Authentication, click Allow connections only from computers using Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure).

   • To enable Remote Desktop and allow all client computers to connect, click Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure).

5. Click OK.

See Also

Concepts

Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services: Configuration
Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services