Remote desktop connection limitation to one session only

Question

We have a on prem server and have allowed few users to access the server through RD connection only. What we want to do is to apply a limitation that if one user is connected to the server through the RD connection then no other user should be allowed to access the server unless first one logs out.

We had applied the below through GPO but it didn't work and still two users are able to connect the server.

https://tecadmin.net/how-to-enable-multiple-rdp-sessions-on-windows-server/

What are our other options to do it.

Answer 1

Hi @Crystal-MSFT

Are you able to assist?

Answer 2

Hi Muhammad Umair,

Actually, this policy has nothing to do with your target. This policy is to restrict a user to a single session, object to allowing multiple sessions for a user. 

However, multiple users still can login simultaneously, which is decided by the server Role: Remote Desktop Service. By default, a server OS can accept 2 simultaneous sessions. If we enable RDS, it allows 3 or more. For our problem, if we uninstall RDS role, it only allows 2 users. When the third user tries to login, one of the logged users should be logged off.

Hope the above clarifies.

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Answer 3

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Q&A forum.

As the GPO setting is correctly configured. Let's try below steps to further troubleshoot the issue:

1.After making changes, run CMD command

gpupdate /force

to apply the settings immediately and restart the server if necessary.

2.Press "Win+R" and enter "rsop.msc" to review all active GPO settings and ensure there's no conflict.

3.Check Registry Settings: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server and ensure fSingleSessionPerUser is set to 1.

Note If you modify the registry incorrectly, you can cause serious problems. Therefore, follow these steps carefully. For additional protection, back up the registry before you modify it. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

To help other customers who may be facing the same issue, please don't forget to vote if the reply is helpful.

Best Regards

Zunhui