Troubleshooting Windows 8 Remote Desktop

1. Windows 8 Remote Desktop Connection - Computer Performance
2. Remote Desktop Connection And Gaming - Microsoft Community
3. Windows 8 Remote Desktop Client Software
4. Remote Desktop Connection Constantly Disconnecting And ...

To troubleshoot a remote desktop connection you need to understand the contrasting roles of the network host (victim) and the local client computer (parasite).

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Each factor in making a successful connection is easier if both the client and host are running Microsoft’s Windows 8. However, don’t worry if one of the computers is running Windows 7, Vista, XP, or even Windows Server, you can still get a remote desktop connection to work.

Topics for Win 8 Remote Desktop Connection

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Configure the Host Computer – Allow Connections

The key to configuring the host is thinking ahead. Realize that one day you are going to leave your office with the Windows 8 machine running, and then visit a colleague in another part of the building; the problem comes when you need a file which is on your Windows 8 computer back in the first office.

To save that long trek back to your machine, launch Remote Desktop from a colleague’s machine, and then connect to your Windows 8 computer back in the other office. Once you configure the logon credentials make the connection a LAN, or even over the internet via TCP port 3389. Working with a Windows 8 remote desktop is almost indistinguishable from being there at the physical host machine.

How to Enable Remote Desktop:

Here is where you think ahead, and configure your own Windows 8 machine, which I call the host in this scenario:

Assuming you are seeing the Metro UI: click on Control Panel, or if you cannot find it type ‘c o n t r o l’ and select the icon. Once the control panel is open head for: More Settings, System and Security, Remote Settings, Remote Desktop and click the radio button next to ‘Allow remote connections to this computer’. For testing I would remove the tick in the box below; see screenshot to the right.

Assuming you are at the Desktop: Call for the ‘Charms’, Search, Control Panel. Now it’s System and Security, System, Remote Settings (Left menu), Allow Desktop (Section), Allow connections.

‘Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication’ – This means only Microsoft’s Windows 8 or Windows 7 machines.

For a modicum of security there is a button (not shown) to control which users can connect to your machine.

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Windows 8 Remote Desktop Sleep Problem

Windows 8’s remote desktop is smooth, responsive and provides a great display, the one potential problem is that the host machine will fall into deep sleep. The answer is to enable the Wake Timers.

Navigate to Power Options, click on the ‘Change advanced power settings’ link.

Note: Change settings that are currently unavailable.

Sleep

Allow wake timers

On battery: What do you think?
Plugged in: Enable (See screenshot)

The benefit is that if the host machine sleeps, as is likely, you can now awaken it using remote desktop, and thus create remote session. Trust me it works like a charm, so much better than in Windows 7. Evaluate Solarwinds Dameware MRC.

Remote Assistance

Talking of options, there is related service called Remote Assistance. This allows an invited friend, or a techie, to access your computer so that they can troubleshoot your problem. Unlike Remote Desktop, in case of Remote Assistance both of you can see the same computer screen. There is an option for sharing control of the mouse pointer.

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A Backdoor Registry Hack – fDenyTSConnections

There is a ‘backdoor’ registry tweak which allows you to setup the Remote Desktop Connection as above. This is useful if you forgot to ‘Allow connections’ before you left your machine. My technique involves using a registry setting called fDenyTSConnections to reverse ‘Don’t allow connections to this computer’ on the target machine.

My idea relies on the ability of regedit to Connect to network registry, for this you could take the time to start the Remote Registry Service on the target machine. See here for a PowerShell script to start services.

Our mission is to change the value of fDenyTSConnections from =1 to =0. Launch Regedit and navigate along this path: File Menu, Connect Network Registry. Naturally, you need the hostname of the computer. Next let us connect to the correct registry hive on the target machine,

HKLMSystemCurrentControlSetControlTerminal Server

Now find the Reg_DWord called fDenyTSConnections and set the value = 0 (zero)

Unfortunately, you have to reboot the target machine before the change from 1 to 0 takes effect. To achieve this I use the following PowerShell command:

Remote Desktop INTO Windows 8 from Windows 7

The situation is that you have configured the remote host to ‘Allow connections …’. So now it’s time to launch the Remote Desktop Connection on the local client. To access this MSTSC executable in Windows 7, click on the Start Orb, and in the Search dialog box, type Remote Desktop.

Launch Remote Desktop Connection – See screenshot. If this fails the underlying program is called mstcs.exe and is located at: C:WindowsSystem32mstsc.exe.

Type the name of the computer that you want to gain remote access. It’s worth taking the time to examine the ‘Options’ before you click ‘Connect’.

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It’s also possible to chain remote desktop connections to a third or fourth computer. Delegates on training courses always want to link in this way, but I have yet to see a killer real-life reason to create a long chain of connected computers.

Remote Desktop OUT FROM Windows 8

The scenario: You are in Windows 8 and you wish to connect to another Window 8 machine, or a Windows 7 / Vista computer. From the Metro UI, type ‘r’ (for remote). Remote Desktop should appear amongst the Apps.

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New Features for Windows 8 Remote Desktop

It all focuses on RemoteFX technology. What it delivers is:

• As expected, you get the Metro UI multi touch experience.
• Crisper graphics over WAN connections. Adaptive graphics which can throttle the encoding depending on the bandwidth, or the available server processing power. There is also better video codex.
• Remote Desktop is available on an ever increasing range of clients’ tablet, slate and mobile devices.
• USB Redirection.
• Remote Desktop works well in VMs.
• ‘Favorites’ almost subliminally remind you of what you were doing the last time you used remote desktop.

Problems with Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 8

Launching the underlying program mstsc.exe rarely gives problems. Thus troubleshooting focuses on network connectivity and permissions. And once you get a basic remote desktop connection, there is potential for new problems, for example, printing gives trouble, or Aero Graphics don’t display crisply.

Basic Troubleshooting Techniques to Get a Connection

Installation:
No problem, remote desktop is already installed on the Windows 8 machine, except on Home Basic editions. To get started just type ‘Remote’ in the Search dialog box.

Locking the Remote Machine
The downside of connecting to a remote machine is that for licensing reasons the host screen has to be locked. The local user could deny the remote connection, or the local user has to be logged out so that the remote person can logon and user the computer’s resources. If nobody is around at the host computer, remote desktop logs off that user after 30 seconds.

The only work-around for this one user policy is to buy a third-party remote control software, which sort of negates the point of the free Windows 8 Remote Desktop Connection.

Editions for Windows 8 Remote Desktop
The host computer – the distant one that you connect to – must be a Professional, Business or Ultimate edition. However, I always get pleasantly surprised that be any edition, including the home premium. Incidentally, the host could also be Windows 7, Vista, XP or even a Windows Server.

Hostname Problems – Remote Desktop cannot find computer…
Use ping to test the network connection, if there is a problem check the Host records at the DNS server. Alternatively, type the IP address rather than a computer name in the Computer dialog box.

If you have selected Network Level Authentication then you must type the full computer name at the client. For example, mycomputer.local and not plain mycomputer. If in doubt try: ping mycomputer. The surest alternative is to check in the Control Panel, System and Security, System: Full computer name.

Entering Your Credentials
Increasingly, I find entering credentials cures Windows 8 RDC problems. The trick is to make sure that the username you type has previously logged on at that second computer. To get started click on that 'Show Options' button; see screenshot right.

You could also make sure that the user has permission to use remote desktop, check in the Control Panel of the host machine.

Disable Firewalls
Disable the firewalls on both the local and remote host computer. Most other experts will tell you not to do this, but I disable the firewall because it eliminates this one factor, and thus re-directs my mind to focus on other sources of configuration mistakes.

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Problems Once You Make a Remote Desktop Connection

For problems relating to local resources, or the connection experience, then click on the ‘Options’ button (see above), now examine each of the six tabs that you see in the screenshot below right.

Aero Graphics
For a reason that I cannot fathom, the ‘Experience’ defaults to the slowest connection ‘Modem’, thus if you have a high speed connection you are going to miss out on Aero Graphics effects – unless you select ‘LAN’.

Printers
As usual, printers give their fair share of problems. My advice is to go to the ‘Local Resources’ tab and experiment with, and without, the tick in the Printers box.

Full Screen Mode
Break out of Remote Desktop full screen mode with this three-key combination:
Ctrl +Alt +Pause

Save Credentials
I like to reduce hassle by saving my credentials in the General tab. While it’s not a problem in a HomeGroup, if the computers belong to a domain then you can change this group policy.

1. Logon as an administrator.
2. ‘Search’ for gpedit.msc. Remember that .msc as you type name: gpedit.msc.
3. Navigate to the Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, and then Credentials Delegation.
4. In the right pane, double-click Allow Saved Credentials with NTLM-only Server Authentication, click Enabled, and then click Show.
5. In the Show Contents dialog box, click Add, type the name of the remote computer (server) in this format: TERMSRV<computername>
6. It may be worth reading the help notes; for example, make sure you capitalize TERMSRV. Also, you could try using the asterisk * as a wildcard as in: TERMSRV*

Remote Desktop Sleep Problem
If the host machine is sleeping it maybe difficult to wake the machine and thus make a connection. The answer is to configure the Power Options in the Control Panel, System and Security.

Specifically, you want Sleep, Allow wake timers,
Plugged in: Enable see screenshot to the right.

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT)

In addition to its use for an ordinary user to connect to a client desktop, remote connection technology can also be used for an administrator to connect to Windows Server 2008.

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows 8 allows administrators to remotely manage roles and features, which are installed on a member of the Windows Server family. However, you have to be running the Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate editions of Windows 8 to successfully install this add-on to manage the servers.

1. Make sure that are at the Windows 8 computer, download the Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 8 MSU package from the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Open the RSAT package and install it.
3. Launch the, Control Panel, and then click Programs.
   In the Programs and Features area, click Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the Windows Features dialog box, expand Remote Server Administration Tools. Select the remote management tools that you want to install.

Summary of Remote Desktop Connection for Windows 8

Remote Desktop connects two Windows computers over a network. Once linked, you view the remote desktop just as if you were sitting there in the room.

The first step in troubleshooting is to check that the distant network computer is setup to allow remote desktop connections. On the client computer test with ping that you can contact the target machine. Once you can make a basic connection examine each tab in the Options. The program can be located at %SystemDirectory%mstsc.exe.

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Microsoft Windows 8 Network Topics

• Windows 8 Overview • Windows 8 IPv6 • Windows 8 Metro Tile • Windows 8 Shutdown

Windows 8 Remote Desktop Connection - Computer Performance

• Windows 8 Performance Monitor • Windows 8 Network Location • Network Performance Monitor

• Windows 8 Configuration • Windows 8 Wireless • SolarWinds TFTP Server • Mobile App Manager

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and Windows 7

You can use the Remote Desktop client for Windows Desktop to access Windows apps and desktops remotely from a different Windows device.

Note

• This documentation is not for the Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) client that ships with Windows. It's for the new Remote Desktop (MSRDC) client.
• This client currently only supports accessing remote apps and desktops from Windows Virtual Desktop.
• Curious about the new releases for the Windows Desktop client? Check out What's new in the Windows Desktop client

Install the client

Choose the client that matches the version of Windows. The new Remote Desktop client (MSRDC) supports Windows 10, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, and Windows 7 client devices.

You can install the client for the current user, which doesn't require admin rights, or your admin can install and configure the client so that all users on the device can access it.

Once you've installed the client, you can launch it from the Start menu by searching for Remote Desktop.

Update the client

You'll be notified whenever a new version of the client is available as long as your admin hasn't disabled notifications. The notification will appear in either the Connection Center or the Windows Action Center. To update your client, just select the notification.

You can also manually search for new updates for the client:

1. From the Connection Center, tap the overflow menu (...) on the command bar at the top of the client.
2. Select About from the drop-down menu.
3. The client automatically searches for updates.
4. If there's an update available, tap Install update to update the client.

Workspaces

Get the list of managed resources you can access, such as apps and desktops, by subscribing to the Workspace your admin provided you. When you subscribe, the resources become available on your local PC. The Windows Desktop client currently supports resources published from Windows Virtual Desktop.

Subscribe to a Workspace

There are two ways you can subscribe to a Workspace. The client can try to discover the resources available to you from your work or school account or you can directly specify the URL where your resources are for cases where the client is unable to find them. Once you've subscribed to a Workspace, you can launch resources with one of the following methods:

• Go to the Connection Center and double-click a resource to launch it.
• You can also go to the Start menu and look for a folder with the Workspace name or enter the resource name in the search bar.

Subscribe with a user account

1. From the main page of the client, tap Subscribe.
2. Sign in with your user account when prompted.
3. The resources will appear in the Connection Center grouped by Workspace.

Subscribe with URL

1. From the main page of the client, tap Subscribe with URL.
2. Enter the Workspace URL or your email address:
   • If you use the Workspace URL, use the one your admin gave you. If accessing resources from Windows Virtual Desktop, you can use one of the following URLs:
     • Windows Virtual Desktop (classic): https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/feeddiscovery/webfeeddiscovery.aspx
     • Windows Virtual Desktop: https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery
   • To use email, enter your email address. This tells the client to search for a URL associated with your email address if your admin has setup email discovery.
3. Tap Next.
4. Sign in with your user account when prompted.
5. The resources will appear in the Connection Center grouped by Workspace.

Workspace details

After subscribing, you can view additional information about a Workspace on the Details panel:

• The name of the Workspace
• The URL and username used to subscribe
• The number of apps and desktops
• The date/time of the last refresh
• The status of the last refresh

Accessing the Details panel:

1. From the Connection Center, tap the overflow menu (...) next to the Workspace.
2. Select Details from the drop-down menu.
3. The Details panel appears on the right side of the client.

After you've subscribed, the Workspace will refresh automatically on a regular basis. Resources may be added, changed, or removed based on changes made by your admin.

You can also manually look for updates to the resources when needed by selecting Refresh from the Details panel.

Refreshing a Workspace

You can manually refresh a Workspace by selecting Refresh from the overflow menu (...) next to the Workspace.

Unsubscribe from a Workspace

This section will teach you how to unsubscribe from a Workspace. You can unsubscribe to either subscribe again with a different account or remove your resources from the system.

1. From the Connection Center, tap the overflow menu (...) next to the Workspace.
2. Select Unsubscribe from the drop-down menu.
3. Review the dialog box and select Continue.

Managed desktops

Workspaces can contain multiple managed resources, including desktops. When accessing a managed desktop, you have access to all the apps installed by your admin.

Desktop settings

Remote Desktop Connection And Gaming - Microsoft Community

You can configure some of the settings for desktop resources to ensure the experience meets your needs. To access the list of available settings right-click on the desktop resource and select Settings.

The client will use the settings configured by your admin unless you turn off the Use default settings option. Doing so allows you to configure the following options:

• Display configuration selects which displays to use for the desktop session and impacts which additional settings are available.
  • All displays ensures the session always uses all your local displays even when some of them are added or removed later.
  • Single display ensures the session always uses a single display and allows you to configure its properties.
  • Select displays allows you to choose which displays to use for the session and provides an option to dynamically change the list of displays during the session.
• Select the displays to use for the session specifies which local displays to use for the session. All selected displays must be adjacent to each other. This setting is only available in Select display mode.
• Maximize to current displays determines which displays the sessions will use when going full screen. When enabled, the session goes full screen on the displays touched by the session window. This allows you to change displays during the session. When disabled, the session goes full screen on the same displays it was on the last time it was full screen. This setting is only available in Select display mode and is disabled otherwise.
• Single display when windowed determines which displays are available in the session when exiting full screen. When enabled, the session switches to a single display in windowed mode. When disabled, the session retains the same displays in windowed mode as in full screen. This setting is only available in All displays and Select display modes and is disabled otherwise.
• Start in full screen determines whether the session will launch in full-screen or windowed mode. This setting is only available in Single display mode and is enabled otherwise.
• Fit session to window determines how the session is displayed when the resolution of the remote desktop differs from the size of the local window. When enabled, the session content will be resized to fit inside the window while preserving the aspect ratio of the session. When disabled, scrollbars or black areas will be shown when the resolution and window size don't match. This setting is available in all modes.
• Update the resolution on resize makes the remote desktop resolution automatically update when you resize the session in windowed mode. When disabled, the session always remains at whichever resolution you specify in Resolution. This setting is only available in Single display mode and is enabled otherwise.
• Resolution lets you specify the resolution of the remote desktop. The session will retain this resolution for its entire duration. This setting is only available in Single display mode and when Update the resolution on resize is disabled.
• Change the size of the text and apps specifies the size of the content of the session. This setting only applies when connecting to Windows 8.1 and later or Windows Server 2012 R2 and later. This setting is only available in Single display mode and when Update the resolution on resize is disabled.

Give us feedback

Have a feature suggestion or want to report a problem? Tell us with the Feedback Hub.

You can also give us feedback by selecting the button that looks like a smiley face emoticon in the client app, as shown in the following image:

Note

Windows 8 Remote Desktop Client Software

To best help you, we need you to give us as detailed information about the issue as possible. For example, you can include screenshots or a recording of the actions you took leading up to the issue. For more tips about how to provide helpful feedback, see Feedback.

Remote Desktop Connection Constantly Disconnecting And ...

Access client logs

You might need the client logs when investigating a problem.

To retrieve the client logs:

1. Ensure no sessions are active and the client process isn't running in the background by right-clicking on the Remote Desktop icon in the system tray and selecting Disconnect all sessions.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. Navigate to the %temp%DiagOutputDirRdClientAutoTrace folder.