Access desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services desktops and apps at no additional cost if you are an eligible Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL) customer. You need an Azure account to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is the platform of choice to cost-effectively host Windows desktops and applications. This offering is designed to help you quickly create a RDS on IaaS deployment for testing and proof-of-concept purposes.
Windows Remote Desktop connection is based on a rather simple client-server model using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). After you enable it, the Windows Remote Desktop server-side service starts listening for connection requests on port 3389. Whether you need to access your work computer from home, view a file from your home computer while traveling, or share your screen with friends or colleagues, Chrome Remote Desktop connects you to your devices using the latest web technologies.
-->Purpose
Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2008 with Remote Desktop Services (formerly known as Terminal Services) allow a server to host multiple, simultaneous client sessions. Remote Desktop uses Remote Desktop Services technology to allow a single session to run remotely. A user can connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server (formerly known as a terminal server) by using Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client software. The Remote Desktop Web Connection extends Remote Desktop Services technology to the web.
Note
This topic is for software developers. If you are looking for user information for Remote Desktop connections, See Remote Desktop Connection: frequently asked questions.
Where applicable
A Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client can exist in a variety of forms. Thin-client hardware devices that run an embedded Windows-based operating system can run the RDC client software to connect to an RD Session Host server. Windows-, Macintosh-, or UNIX-based computers can run RDC client software to connect to an RD Session Host server to display Windows-based applications. This combination of RDC clients provides access to Windows-based applications from virtually any operating system.
Developer audience
Developers who use Remote Desktop Services should be familiar with the C and C++ programming languages and the Windows-based programming environment. Familiarity with client/server architecture is required. The Remote Desktop Web Connection includes scriptable interfaces to create and deploy scriptable virtual channels within Remote Desktop Services web applications.
Run-time requirements
Applications that use Remote Desktop Services require Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Vista. To use Remote Desktop Web Connection functionality, the Remote Desktop Services client application requires Internet Explorer and a connection to the World Wide Web. For information about run-time requirements for a particular programming element, see the Requirements section of the reference page for that element.
In this section
Describes how to use the Remote Desktop ActiveX control.
You use the Remote Desktop Protocol Provider API to create a protocol to provide communication between the Remote Desktop Services service and multiple clients.
Virtual channels are software extensions that can be used to add functional enhancements to a Remote Desktop Services application.
Azure Remote Desktop As A Service
The RemoteFX Media Redirection API is used in a Remote Desktop session to identify areas of the server that are displaying fast changing content, such as video. This content can then be video encoded and sent to the client in encoded format.
Describes how to use the Remote Desktop Connection Broker client API.
The personal desktop task agent API is used to handle scheduled updates to a personal virtual desktop.
Remote Desktop Services (formerly known as Terminal Services) provides functionality similar to a terminal-based, centralized host, or mainframe, environment in which multiple terminals connect to a host computer.
Cheapest Desktop As A Service
The Remote Desktop Management Services (RDMS) Provider manages virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments.
Documentation of property methods that you can use to examine and configure Remote Desktop Services user properties. Remote Desktop Services functions, structures, and Remote Desktop Web Connection scriptable interfaces are also documented.
A list of the Remote Desktop Services shortcut keys.
The Remote Desktop Services WMI provider provides programmatic access to the information and settings that are exposed by the Remote Desktop Services Configuration/Connections Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.
How to program in the Remote Desktop Services environment and how to extend Remote Desktop Services (formerly known as Terminal Services) technology to the web by using Remote Desktop Web Connection.
Related topics
Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS device to connect to a Windows 10 PC from afar.
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.