Specify a maximum number of sessions that can connect to the server

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

To specify a maximum number of sessions that can connect to the server

Open Group Policy.
In Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Terminal Services, double-click the Limit number of connections setting, and then click Enabled.
In the TS Maximum Connections allowed box, type the maximum number of connections you want to allow, and then click OK.

Important

You should thoroughly test any changes you make to Group Policy settings before applying them to users or computers. For more information on testing policy settings, see Resultant Set of Policy.

Note

Use the above procedure to configure the local Group Policy object. To change a policy for a domain or an organizational unit, you must log on to the primary domain controller as an Administrator. Then, you must invoke Group Policy by using the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.

Open Terminal Services Configuration.
In the console tree, click Connections.
In the details pane, right-click the connection for which you want to specify a maximum number of sessions, and then click Properties.
On the Network Adapter tab, click Maximum connections, type the maximum number of sessions that can connect to the server, and then click Apply.

Notes

To open Terminal Services Configuration, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Terminal Services Configuration.
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
Group Policy overrides the configuration set with the Terminal Services Configuration tool.
By default, the connection is configured to allow an unlimited number of sessions to connect to the server.
Restricting the number of sessions improves performance because fewer sessions are demanding system resources.

Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.