- 1 year ago
How can I use RDP (MSTSC.EXE) to log on to server as if you are at the console?
To use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to log on to a server as if you are at the console (also known as "console session" or "session 0"), you need to perform a few additional steps, as by default, RDP connects to a new user session instead of the console session.
Please note that accessing the console session is generally reserved for system administrators or users with administrative privileges, and it's recommended to use this with caution.
Here's how you can use RDP (MSTSC.EXE) to log on to the server as if you are at the console:
Open Remote Desktop Connection: Press the Windows key + R, type "mstsc," and press Enter to open the Remote Desktop Connection client (MSTSC.EXE).
Enter Server Address: In the "Computer" field, enter the address or hostname of the server you want to connect to.
Add "/admin" Parameter: To connect to the console session, add the "/admin" parameter to the command line. In the Remote Desktop Connection client, click on "Show Options" to expand the settings.
Enter Username and Password (Optional): If required, enter the username and password for the user account with administrative privileges on the server.
Connect to Console Session: In the "Programs" tab, append "/admin" to the end of the "Program path and file name." The full path will look like this:
bashC:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe /admin
Save Settings (Optional): If you plan to use this configuration frequently, you can save it as an RDP file by clicking "Save As" and choosing a location.
Connect: Click on "Connect" to start the RDP session to the console of the server.
Alternatively, you can use the /admin
parameter directly from the Command Prompt to initiate the RDP session:
bashmstsc /admin
or
bashmstsc /v:server_address /admin
Replace "server_address" with the address or hostname of the server you want to connect to.
Please note that the /admin
parameter is used for Windows Server versions up to Windows Server 2008 R2. Starting from Windows Server 2012, the parameter is /admin
or /console
. Additionally, for Windows Server 2012 and later, it is recommended to use the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) role for managing remote sessions rather than accessing the console session directly.