Options to support multiple RDP sessions on Windows.

Question

I have a computer. It has 24 cores.

I have windows 11 pro.

I would like 2 or 3 people to be able to use this computer simultaneously via RDP (with one being logged in locally sometimes, not remotely).

This doesn't seem like it should be that complicated. It is very easy to do in linux. We require one piece of software for windows, and I am actively working to replace it so we no longer need windows.

My desire is simple, the documentation and information surrounding the variety of licenses is confusing and annoying. What kind of greedy cash grab are you running? Charging per core? The licenses are ridiculously expensive, there is no viable small business solution. Can I just buy 3 windows 11 licenses for the 3 users? I don't mind paying for software, but making me buy 3 computers for 3 users is just a huge e-waste pit. This computer, hardware-wise is 100% capable of running 3 users at once.

Answer 1

It is obvious why you (Microsoft) are doing this. It is a transparent cash grab to make your server cloud more competitive. It is greedy and shortsighted. You are continuously forcing very smart engineers to make workarounds for your greed. Eventually it will come back to bite you.

Answer 2

Windows client OSes, such as Pro, are designed for single users. By design they do not support multiple, concurrent logged in users running at the same time. This has nothing to do with technical limitations or anything, it is strictly a licensing restriction.

There are ways to work around this but they violate the T&Cs you agreed to when using Windows so I won't discuss those. The legal workarounds are the following:

• Switch from using a client OS to a server OS. All the server products support multiple users at the same time. Server OSes are designed for multiple users and thus don't prioritize local users over others. This is the correct solution in almost all cases. This requires a reinstall of the OS, a server license and a CAL for each user that will use the machine (or a per-device CAL that allows multiple users). Note that out of the box Server is still limited to 2 simultaneous RDP sessions. To support more you have to install the RDS feature as well. You might also have to make a GP change to increase the limit. There are articles online on how to do this.
• Win 11 Enterprise multi-session supports multiple users at the same time as well. However from my understanding this is only available with Azure Virtual Desktop. That is the other option and eliminates the need for you to host the machine at all. Of course there are costs for subscriptions so it depends on your needs.