New RDS / Terminal Server Client for Windows 7

RDP 8 the new protocol for Remote Desktops in Server 2012 has been released for Windows 7. This is not your typical just install a new client – so make sure you would benefit from updating to the new RDP8. To understand if this would help you  ask yourself are you Remoting  into a Windows 8, Windows 2012, or Windows 7 with RDP 8 installed machine? If the answer is yes, then it makes sense to do the upgrade.

Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592687

There are a host of new features in the new RDP 8 protocol. These features are available when you use a client and host that is compatible with RDP 8.0.

This means that a computer that is running Windows 8, Server 2012, or Windows 7 SP1 with the RDP 8.0 update installed can connect to another computer that is running Windows 8, Server 2012, or Windows 7 SP1 with the RDP 8.0 update installed.

• RemoteFX for WAN – The RemoteFX for WAN feature enables users on WAN networks to have a fast and fluid experience by using advanced techniques such as intelligent and adaptive UDP transports, network loss tolerance, and recovery. For more information, go to the following Microsoft website:

  https://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2012/08/23/remotefx-for-wan-overview-of-intelligent-and-adaptive-transports-in-windows-8-and-windows-server-2012.aspx

• RemoteFX Network Auto Detect
  The RemoteFX Network Auto Detect feature automatically detects network characteristics and optimizes user experience accordingly. For more information, go to the following Microsoft website:

  https://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2012/08/23/remotefx-for-wan-overview-of-intelligent-and-adaptive-transports-in-windows-8-and-windows-server-2012.aspx

• RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics
  The RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics feature delivers a rich graphics experience that dynamically adapts to the server load, the client access device load, and network characteristics. For more information, go to the following Microsoft website:

  https://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2012/08/06/remotefx-adaptive-graphics-in-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8.aspx

• RemoteFX Media Streaming
  The RemoteFX Media Streaming feature lets users experience a smooth media experience on WAN networks for all media content formats. For more information:

  https://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2012/08/16/enabling-a-seamless-multimedia-experience-with-remotefx-media-streaming-in-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8.aspx

• RemoteFX USB Redirection for non-RemoteFX vGPU virtual desktops
  The RemoteFX USB Redirection feature enables users to use USB devices with RemoteApp applications and remote desktops, even if the remote desktop computer does not have RemoteFX vGPU installed. For more information:

  https://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2012/09/11/remotefx-usb-redirection-in-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8.aspx

• Support for Nested Sessions
  RDP 8.0 supports running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session for specific scenarios. For more information: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2754550/

• Performance counters for monitoring the user experience
  Performance counters (RemoteFX Graphics and RemoteFX Network counter groups) let administrators monitor and troubleshoot user experience issues.