How to Allow More Than 2 RDP Sessions on Windows Server 2019?

In many scenarios, administrators need to allow more than two users to access the server simultaneously. This guide will explain how to allow More Than 2 RDP Sessions on Windows Server 2019? covering both licensing requirements and configuration settings.

Understanding the RDP Session Limit

Windows Server 2019, like previous versions, has a default limit of two simultaneous RDP connections for administrative purposes. To allow more users, you need to enable Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) and configure the appropriate licensing mode.

Requirements for Allowing More Than 2 RDP Sessions

To enable multiple RDP sessions on Windows Server 2019, you must:

• Install Remote Desktop Services (RDS) role.
• Configure the appropriate licensing mode (Per User or Per Device).
• Install valid Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs).

Step-by-Step Guide How to Allow More Than 2 RDP Sessions on Windows Server 2019

Step 1: Install Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Role

To allow multiple users to connect to the server via RDP, you need to install the RDS role.

1. Open Server Manager & click the buttom on Manage > Add Roles & Features.
2. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
3. Select your server from the list and click Next.
4. Under Server Roles, check Remote Desktop Services and click Next.
5. On the Features page, click Next.
6. Under Remote Desktop Services roles, select Remote Desktop Session Host, then click Next.
7. Proceed with the installation and restart the server if prompted.

Step 2: Configure RDS Licensing Mode

Once the RDS role is installed, you need to configure the licensing mode to allow more than two concurrent sessions.

1. Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to:

   Personal Desktop Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing

3. Find Use the specified Remote Desktop licensing mode, double-click it, and set it to Enabled.
4. Select either Per User or Per Device, based on your license type.
5. Click Apply and OK.

Step 3: Activate Remote Desktop License Server

To ensure compliance with Microsoft licensing policies, activate the Remote Desktop License Server.

1. Open Server Manager, go to Tools > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
2. Right-click on the server and choose Activate Server.
3. Follow the activation wizard and enter the required details.
4. Once activated, install your RDS CALs.

Step 4: Configure Group Policy to Allow More RDP Sessions

By default, Windows limits RDP sessions per user. To allow multiple sessions:

1. Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to:

   Desktop Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections

3. Find Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop Services session, double-click it, and set it to Disabled.
4. Also, ensure Limit number of connections is set to a higher value (e.g., 10 or more).
5. Click Apply and OK.
6. Restart the server to apply the changes.

Step 5: Verify Remote Desktop Licensing and Sessions

After configuration, ensure that RDS licensing is functioning correctly:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

   gpupdate /force

2. Open Task Manager, go to the Users tab, and verify that multiple RDP sessions are active.
3. Try connecting multiple users to confirm the configuration works.

Alternative Method: Using Remote Desktop Services Registry Edit

If you don’t want to modify Group Policy, you can enable multiple RDP sessions using the Windows Registry.

1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server

3. Find fSingleSessionPerUser and set it to 0.
4. Locate MaxInstanceCount and set it to a higher value (e.g., 10).
5. Restart the server to apply changes.

Conclusion

Allowing more than two RDP sessions on Windows Server 2019 requires enabling the Remote Desktop Services role, configuring licensing settings, and adjusting Group Policy or Registry settings. If properly configured with the correct RDS CALs, your server can support multiple remote users efficiently.

If you encounter issues, ensure that:

The Remote Desktop Licensing Mode is correctly set.

You have installed valid RDS CALs.

Firewall settings allow RDP connections.

No conflicting policies restrict concurrent sessions.

By following these steps, you can effectively expand the RDP session limit on Windows Server 2019 and enhance remote accessibility for multiple users.