MSTSC – How to Specify Which Session to Connect To

mstscrdpremote desktop

I'm working on a project where I must do almost all of my work on a remote desktop. I also have to frequently connect and disconnect from the remote desktop because of the network configuration.

Sometimes, when I disconnect my session and then connect again, I get connected to the same session. Other times, it starts a new session for me, but I can tell that the old session is still running because it shows a warning if I click to restart the computer.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to this. Given the choice, I would like to make MSTSC always connect me to my existing session.

How do I do this?

Best Answer

Use Local Security Policy (or Group Policy if the machine is in a domain) to limit users to a single RDP session.

Open Local/Group Policy.

  1. In Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Terminal Services, double-click the Restrict Terminal Services users to a single remote session setting.

  2. Click Enabled, and then click OK.

Note: Replace "Terminal Services" with "Remote Desktop Services" if on a modern version of Windows.

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