Windows: Useful RDP options
Foreword
In this article, we will show you useful options for your Remote Desktop Connection (RDP connection) on various operating systems.
Prerequisites
- Windows server
- Remote desktop-compatible application (Remote Desktop, Windows app, Remmina or similar)
Windows
If you want to connect to your Windows server from your device with Windows operating system, first use the Windows key on your keyboard and then enter mstsc or alternatively remote desktop connection and run the suggested application:
You will then see the following window:
Useful options for Windows Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)
General options
In the General tab, you have the option of saving the current Remote Desktop Connection as a file in a storage location of your choice.
You can already specify the following options here:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Computer | IP address (e.g. 5.1.XXX.XXX) or name (e.g. XXXXX.creolineserver.com) of the target server. |
| User name | Enter the user name you want to use for the remote desktop connection here. Note: The user must exist on the target server or the domain used for authentication so that a login can be performed with this user. |
| Allow saving of login information | Select the corresponding button to allow the user to save the entered login data permanently in the corresponding file. |
| Save | Save the current connection settings in a file under the current path. |
| Save as ... | Save the current connection settings in a file and determine the exact storage location yourself. |
Display
In the Display tab, you have the option of customizing the current display options of a remote desktop connection.
You can change the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Display configuration | Set the scaling of the RDP connection window. We recommend that you use the preconfigured default settings here. |
| Use all monitors for remote session **Use this option if you have several monitors and want to use them for an RDP connection. | |
| Colors | Use this to adjust the display quality that is used for the display via Remote Desktop. If you have a slow or unstable connection for access, you can, for example, reduce the general display quality in order to be able to establish an RDP connection with as little delay as possible. |
Local resources
In the Local resources tab, you have the option of using certain devices that are connected to your computer (e.g. printers, USB drives, etc.).
You can influence the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Remoteaudio | Set which device should play or record audio. |
| Use all monitors for remote session | Configure how the settings for your keyboard should be applied. |
| Local devices and resources | Select which devices are to be transferred via the remote desktop connection. Here you can specify, for example, whether printers that you can use via your local device can also be used via the server to which you are connecting. |
Performance
If required, you can adjust the performance settings of the RDP connection, e.g. to ensure a high-performance connection in the event of poor connection quality or insufficient source resources.
You can change the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Performance | Select which quality settings should be used for the connection. |
| Permanent bitmap Cache | Enable or disable the cache used for image transfer during a remote desktop connection. |
| Reconnect if disconnected | Enable this option to ensure that an automatic attempt is made to reconnect if the connection is lost or disconnected. |
Extended
You can use the Advanced button to customize options for alternative authentication methods or similar to suit your needs.
You can influence the following options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Server authentication | Settings for warnings for server-specific, certificate-based authentication. |
| Connect from anywhere Connect | With this option, you can set whether, for example, only a specific remote desktop gateway should be accepted for user authentication and establishing connections. |
| User authentication | Activate this option if you want to use your own / independent domain for user authentication (e.g. Microsoft Azure or Entra ID). |
MacOS
If you want to connect to your Windows server from your device with a macOS operating system, run the Windows app. If you have not yet installed it, you can easily install it via the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/windows-app/id1295203466?mt=12
Create a new connection for the Windows server you want to connect to.
General settings
First define the general settings that are required for the RDP connection to your Windows server.
This includes the following settings:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| PC name | Enter the IP address or the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) of the server to which you want to connect via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). |
| Credentials | Specify access data for a specific connection. These must be defined in advance in the Windows app settings. |
| Friendly Name | Define an individual name under which the connection is saved and displayed in the Windows app. |
| Group | Define a group for selecting the predefined RDP connection in order to group and sort them. This can improve the clarity of multiple, predefined connections. |
| Gateway | Specify a specific Remote Desktop gateway via which you establish a connection to the target server. |
| Reconnect if the connection is dropped | Activate this option so that the connection is automatically re-established if the connection is unexpectedly interrupted. |
| Connect to an admin session | Use this option to force a session with elevated rights. |
| Swap mouse buttons | Use this option to swap the function of both mouse buttons (RMB <-> LMB). |
Display
Specify the desired display settings to be used for the RDP connection to your Windows server.
This includes the following settings:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Specify an individual screen resolution to be used for the RDP connection. |
| Use all Monitors | Use this option to be able to use all screens of your local computer during the RDP session. |
| Start session in full screen | By using this option, the display window for your RDP session is automatically adjusted to the size of your monitor and thus displayed in full screen mode. |
| Fit sessions to window | This option automatically adjusts the window size. |
| Color quality | Specify how many colors are available for the display. A reduction can have a positive effect on the performance of the connection, but has a negative effect on the visual appearance of the display. |
| Optimize for Retina Displays | The display is automatically optimized for Apple devices with Retina displays when this option is activated. |
| Update the session resolution on resize | Activate this option so that the resolution is dynamically adjusted as soon as the size of the display window is changed by the user. |
Devices & Audio
Specify the desired audio settings and for other devices that are to be used by your Windows server via RDP (e.g. printers).
This includes the following settings:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Printers | Determine whether printers from your local device should be made available on the Windows server via RDP. |
| Smart cards | Use this option to be able to use local smart cards on the Windows server via RDP. |
| Clipboard mode | Select the appropriate setting for your clipboard so that you can, for example, transfer texts or files to the server or from the server to another device via the RDP connection. |
| Play sound | Select the device on which audio should be played. |
Folders
With the Remote Desktop protocol, you have the option of making a specific folder available as a network drive on the Windows server for easier data exchange.
Activate the Redirect folders option and then use the + symbol to specify the desired folder to be made available on the server.
You can then restrict access to read-only (read-only) to prevent uncontrolled write access.