Configuration steps for multiple Users to remotely connect to Windows Server 2016 using Remote Desktop

In this article, I will show you how to configure multiple Users to connect remotely to Windows Server 2016 using Remote Desktop.

Step 1: Create an account and allow Remote Desktop access

You need to right click on the Start button then select Computer Management

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Then, select Local Users and Group , right-click on User and select New User

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You create a login account with full information such as User name , Password and then check the options to allow User to change password or not. Click Create

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Next, you need to configure to allow the newly created User to connect to Windows Server via Remote Desktop. Press Windows + I to open Settings then select System

Click About in the left sidebar and then scroll down in the right sidebar to select Advanced system setting . If using Control Panel you need to go to System > Advanced system settings

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In the new window that appears, click the Remote tab and then click the Select Users.

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You click the Add button to add a User with Remote Desktop permission . You just need to type the correct User name just created and then click Check Names and the system will automatically find the account with the standard path as shown. Click OK to confirm the account selection

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Then a list of accounts allowed to connect will appear

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In this section, make sure that Allow connections only from computers. is checked .

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Step 2: Allow multiple Users to access with Remote Desktop

First, you press the Start button then enter gpedit.msc and then double-click to select/open

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You search in turn to Computer Configuration => Administrative Templates => Windows Components

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Continue to access Remote Desktop Services => Remote Desktop Session Host => Connections and then switch to the right to search for Limit number of connections , double click to open

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Select Disable and then click OK to limit the number of users accessing. In addition, you can also select Enable to enter the number of people allowed to access in the RD Maximum Connections allowed section . After selecting, click Apply => OK to save

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Continue to select and open Restrict Remote Desktop Services.

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Select Disable and then click Apply => OK

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Step 3: Register the service to allow more than 2 Users to access Remote Desktop

This part was done on Windows Server 2016.

You click Start and then select Server Manager

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Next, on the right corner of the Server Manager window, select Manage => Add Roles and Features

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In this new window, click Next to continue

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You select Role-based or feature-based installation and then click Next

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You tick Remote Desktop Services and continue to click Next

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Click Next

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You tick 3 services are: Remote Desktop Connection Broker, Remote Desktop Licensing, Remote Desktop Session Host . After each tick, a confirmation panel will appear, click Add features

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Please tick Restart the destination server. to automatically restart the server after installing the service. Click Yes to confirm then click Install

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You wait for the server to complete the installation and restart to complete the setup and be able to connect on 2 computers via Remote Desktop to Windows Server 2016.

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Good luck!

Jessica Tanner

Update 22 June 2021