Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar.
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. Do step 2 (Settings) and/or step 3 (Control Panel) below for how you want to open.
Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start > Settings > System > About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
When you're ready, select Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this later.
Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.
Applies to
- Windows 10
Describes the best practices, location, values, policy management, and security considerations for the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services security policy setting.
Reference
This policy setting determines which users or groups can access the logon screen of a remote device through a Remote Desktop Services connection. It is possible for a user to establish a Remote Desktop Services connection to a particular server but not be able to log on to the console of that same server.
Constant: SeRemoteInteractiveLogonRight
Possible values
- User-defined list of accounts
- Not Defined
Best practices
- To control who can open a Remote Desktop Services connection and log on to the device, add users to or remove users from the Remote Desktop Users group.
Location
Computer ConfigurationWindows SettingsSecurity SettingsLocal PoliciesUser Rights Assignment
Default values
By default, members of the Administrators group have this right on domain controllers, workstations, and servers. The Remote Desktops Users group also has this right on workstations and servers.The following table lists the actual and effective default policy values. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.
Server type or GPO | Default value |
---|---|
Default Domain Policy | Not Defined |
Default Domain Controller Policy | Not Defined |
Domain Controller Local Security Policy | Administrators |
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings | Administrators Remote Desktop Users |
Domain Controller Effective Default Settings | Administrators |
Member Server Effective Default Settings | Administrators Remote Desktop Users |
Client Computer Effective Default Settings | Administrators Remote Desktop Users |
Policy management
This section describes different features and tools available to help you manage this policy.
Group Policy
To use Remote Desktop Services to successfully log on to a remote device, the user or group must be a member of the Remote Desktop Users or Administrators group and be granted the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services right. It is possible for a user to establish an Remote Desktop Services session to a particular server, but not be able to log on to the console of that same server.
To exclude users or groups, you can assign the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services user right to those users or groups. However, be careful when you use this method because you could create conflicts for legitimate users or groups that have been allowed access through the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right.
For more information, see Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services.
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 4.8.03052 for Windows Requirements: Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 10; Language: English Available languages: English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese; License: Free Date added: Friday, May 29th 2020 Author: Cisco. Navigate to the Downloads & Guides page. Click the Download link under AnyConnect for Windows. You may need to log in with your Internet ID and password. Find and open the compressed folder labeled anyconnect-win-repack, in your Downloads folder. Cisco Anyconnect Vpn Client Windows 10 free download - Cisco VPN Client, Cisco VPN Client Fix for Windows 8.1 and 10, Cisco Legacy AnyConnect, and many more programs. Cisco.
A restart of the device is not required for this policy setting to be effective.
Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.
Group Policy settings are applied through GPOs in the following order, which will overwrite settings on the local computer at the next Group Policy update:
- Local policy settings
- Site policy settings
- Domain policy settings
- OU policy settings
Security considerations
This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.
Vulnerability
Any account with the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right can log on to the remote console of the device. If you do not restrict this user right to legitimate users who must log on to the console of the computer, unauthorized users could download and run malicious software to elevate their privileges.
Windows 10 Remote Desktop Setup
Countermeasure
For domain controllers, assign the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right only to the Administrators group. For other server roles and devices, add the Remote Desktop Users group. For servers that have the Remote Desktop (RD) Session Host role service enabled and do not run in Application Server mode, ensure that only authorized IT personnel who must manage the computers remotely belong to these groups.
Windows 10 Remote Access
Caution: For RD Session Host servers that run in Application Server mode, ensure that only users who require access to the server have accounts that belong to the Remote Desktop Users group because this built-in group has this logon right by default.
Alternatively, you can assign the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services user right to groups such as Account Operators, Server Operators, and Guests. Thunderbolt transmission. However, be careful when you use this method because you could block access to legitimate administrators who also belong to a group that has the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services user right.
Potential impact
Removal of the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services user right from other groups (or membership changes in these default groups) could limit the abilities of users who perform specific administrative roles in your environment. You should confirm that delegated activities are not adversely affected.