To set up multiple RDP sessions on a Windows server, you need to configure Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or adjust group policies and licensing to allow more than one concurrent session. By default, Windows client editions (like Windows 10/11 Pro) only allow a single active RDP session, but Windows Server editions support multiple sessions when properly licensed. You can enable this by installing the Remote Desktop Session Host role, applying the correct RDS CALs (Client Access Licenses), and configuring session limits through Group Policy or the Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration tool.
What is RDP?
If you want to access a Windows machine remotely, you can do it via RDP. Simply put, it allows you to use Windows from different locations and from different devices. There are situations in life when you cannot attend your office or be physically present with your colleagues. Then, RDP is a sure-shot solution to this problem. You can work from anywhere and connect with your team. There are many benefits associated with RDP. read!
Advantages of RDP
Productivity: Many common problems are solved with RDP while accessing the system from anywhere. For example, you can easily bring and share all files with everyone and coordinate well.
Security: While working with RDP you can be assured of strong security. Professionals take care of your server and related issues. Regularly updated by them for your convenience and ease of work. They continuously back up data so that recovery is easy in case of data loss.
Easy management: Any number of clients can connect to the same network through remote desktop access. Also, you can change the permissions as per your needs for different employees. Network management becomes easy.
Now, let’s move on to our focused topic.
How to set up multiple RDP sessions?
First of all, why do this? The answer is that whenever you try to establish a second remote desktop session, local users are either logged out of the session, or users already working in the established RDP session are interrupted. Now, why does this happen?
This is a licensing issue. There are two possible solutions to this problem. Let’s see:
Use the RDP wrapper library
or
Edit the termsrv.dll file
Let’s start!
System 1: How to enable the RDP wrapper library? [Step-by-Step Guide]
RDP wrapper library loads the file with modified parameters, by doing this, you will not face any such problem.
Here you can start your journey with the RDP wrapper library and learn about allowing multiple RDP sessions.
Step 1: Download the RDP wrapper library. This library provides excellent support for multiple remote desktop connections as well as starting RDP host services. In addition, it acts as a layer between Service Control Manager and Terminal Services.
Step 2: Now, run install.bat with admin privileges to use the RDP wrapper library.
Step 3: After that, run RDPconfig.exe and cross-check whether the items in the Diagnostic section display green color.
Step 4: That’s all. Perform a verification test to ensure the second RDP connection is established.
Congratulations The process is complete. Now proceed to the next method. The second method is to modify the termsrv.dll file.
System 2: Modifying the termsrv.dll File [Step-by-Step-Guide]
This process involves replacing the original file. Before you begin, take a backup. You can also use the following command to take a backup:
Copy c:WindowsSystem32termsrv.dll termsrv.dll_backup
Once you have successfully backed up, start performing the following steps:
Step 1: First, you need to assign administrator group rights to the file.
Step 2: Then right-click on the file and choose Properties. Go to the Security tab. And then click on Edit.
Step 3: Now search for the local administrator group and assign full control over the file.
Step 4: Click the Save button.
Step 5: Now, open the command prompt or services.msc console and stop the Remote Desktop service.
Use the following command:
Net Stop Termservice
Step 6: Open the termsrv.dll file and search for this line:
39 81 3C 06 00 00 0F 84 73 42 02 00
And type this instead:
B8 00 01 00 00 89 81 38 06 00 00 90
Step 7: All you need to do now is click on the Save button. Before establishing a concurrent RDP connection, try running the Term Service first.
Congrats! Your second system of installation is successful!
Conclusion
With this tutorial, we have provided you with 2 different methods to set up multiple RDP sessions. Also, you’ll learn how to enable or allow simultaneous Remote Desktop connections. We hope that by using either option, you were able to successfully reach your goals.
