The Remote Desktop Windows Store app has been optimized for tablet devices with a simple-to-use, intuitive, and touch-friendly user interface (UI). One great feature of the app is that it allows you to easily manage and switch between multiple remote desktop sessions at the same time, whether you’re connecting from a tablet, notebook. Since the debut of RemoteApp in Windows Server 2008, Windows users have been able to enjoy remote applications with the same look and feel as local applications. RemoteApp and Desktop Connections is a new feature in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 that builds on this by bringing RemoteApp programs to the Start menu, giving them the same.
-->If you use Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to provide shared computers to users in your organization, you can install Microsoft 365 Apps on those computers. But, you have to use the Office Deployment Tool and enable shared computer activation to do the installation.
The following are two common RDS scenarios:
Install Microsoft 365 Apps on an RDS server.
Install Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared virtual machine.
What you need to get started
The following is a list of prerequisites that you need to deploy Microsoft 365 Apps or the Project and Visio desktop apps with RDS:
- One of the following plans:
- An Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) plan that includes Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, purchased through a Volume Licensing Program.
- A Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan that includes Microsoft 365 Apps for business.
- For the Project and Visio desktop apps, a subscription plan that includes those products.
- The Office Deployment Tool, which is available on the Microsoft Download Center.
- A separate user account for each user who logs on to the shared computer.
- An eligible license assigned to each user account.
- A version of Windows listed in the Microsoft 365 plans for business, education, and government system requirements.
- Reliable connectivity between the shared computer and the internet.
- If you're deploying Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared virtual machine, Microsoft supports using Hyper-V only.
Note
- The ability to enable shared computer activation is a Microsoft 365 Business Premium entitlement and not a feature of Microsoft 365 Apps for business in general.
- The reliable internet connectivity is required because the shared computer must be able to contact the Office Licensing Service on the internet to obtain a license for each user who uses the Microsoft 365 Apps on the computer and then activate Microsoft 365 Apps. Internet connectivity is also needed to renew the license, which occurs every few days.
Install Microsoft 365 Apps on an RDS server
In this scenario, you install Microsoft 365 Apps on a computer configured as a Remote Desktop Session Host server. This enables multiple users to connect remotely to this computer. The users can each run Office programs, such as Word or Excel, at the same time. The overall process is the same for the Project and Visio desktop apps.
Here are the basic steps of how to install Microsoft 365 Apps on an RDS server:
Install and configure Windows Server.
Install and configure the Remote Desktop Session Host role service.
For example, follow these steps to install RD Session Host on Windows Server.
For users to be able to connect remotely to the server to use Microsoft 365 Apps, their accounts must be members of the Remote Desktop Users group on the RD Session Host server.
Use the Office Customization Tool to create a configuration file. Make sure to tick the Shared Computer box in the Licensing and activation section. Export the resulting configuration file and save it to the same location as the extracted Office Deployment Tool.
You can also create a configuration file using a text editor. Make sure that it includes the following line:
You use the SharedComputerLicensing setting to enable shared computer activation, which is required to use Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared computer.
Use the Office Deployment Tool and the configuration file to install Microsoft 365 Apps on the RD Session Host server.
At this point, users can connect to the RD Session Host server and use Microsoft 365 Apps. Users can connect to the server by using Remote Desktop Connection, which is available in Windows, or by using other Remote Desktop clients.
Install Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared virtual machine
In this scenario, you install Microsoft 365 Apps as part of a client operating system image, such as one running Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Then, you use RDS and Hyper-V to create a group of virtual machines based on that image. These virtual machines can be shared by multiple users. In RDS, this is known as either a virtual desktop pool or a pooled virtual desktop collection, depending on which version of RDS that you're using.
Note
You can also use RDS to assign a virtual machine to a specific user. RDS calls that a personal virtual desktop. In that scenario, you don't use shared computer activation, because the virtual machine isn't shared among multiple users.
Here are the basic steps of how to configure RDS to deploy Microsoft 365 Apps on a shared virtual machine:
Create the operating system image:
- Follow the instructions to Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps as part of an operating system image. In Step 2 of the instructions, make sure that your configuration.xml file also includes the following line to enable shared computer activation:
- You also need to make some RDS-specific changes on the virtual machine, such as enabling Remote Desktop.
Install and configure Windows Server.
Install and configure RDS.
For example, follow these steps to deploy a virtual desktop collection on Windows Server.
After you've completed all the RDS configuration steps, users can connect to any of the virtual machines and run Microsoft 365 Apps.
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-->Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2
You can use Remote Desktop to connect to and control your PC from a remote device by using a Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available for Windows, iOS, macOS and Android). When you allow remote connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.
Note
You can use Remote Desktop to connect to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, Windows 8.1 and 8 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate, and Windows Server versions newer than Windows Server 2008. You can't connect to computers running a Home edition (like Windows 10 Home).
To connect to a remote PC, that computer must be turned on, it must have a network connection, Remote Desktop must be enabled, you must have network access to the remote computer (this could be through the Internet), and you must have permission to connect. For permission to connect, you must be on the list of users. Before you start a connection, it's a good idea to look up the name of the computer you're connecting to and to make sure Remote Desktop connections are allowed through its firewall.
How to enable Remote Desktop
The simplest way to allow access to your PC from a remote device is using the Remote Desktop options under Settings. Since this functionality was added in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update (1709), a separate downloadable app is also available that provides similar functionality for earlier versions of Windows. You can also use the legacy way of enabling Remote Desktop, however this method provides less functionality and validation.
Windows 10 Fall Creator Update (1709) or later
You can configure your PC for remote access with a few easy steps.
- On the device you want to connect to, select Start and then click the Settings icon on the left.
- Select the System group followed by the Remote Desktop item.
- Use the slider to enable Remote Desktop.
- It is also recommended to keep the PC awake and discoverable to facilitate connections. Click Show settings to enable.
- As needed, add users who can connect remotely by clicking Select users that can remotely access this PC.
- Members of the Administrators group automatically have access.
- Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You'll need this to configure the clients.
Windows 7 and early version of Windows 10
To configure your PC for remote access, download and run the Microsoft Remote Desktop Assistant. This assistant updates your system settings to enable remote access, ensures your computer is awake for connections, and checks that your firewall allows Remote Desktop connections.
All versions of Windows (Legacy method)
To enable Remote Desktop using the legacy system properties, follow the instructions to Connect to another computer using Remote Desktop Connection.
Should I enable Remote Desktop?
If you only want to access your PC when you are physically using it, you don't need to enable Remote Desktop. Enabling Remote Desktop opens a port on your PC that is visible to your local network. You should only enable Remote Desktop in trusted networks, such as your home. You also don't want to enable Remote Desktop on any PC where access is tightly controlled.
Be aware that when you enable access to Remote Desktop, you are granting anyone in the Administrators group, as well as any additional users you select, the ability to remotely access their accounts on the computer.
Microsoft App Remote Desktop Control
You should ensure that every account that has access to your PC is configured with a strong password.
Why allow connections only with Network Level Authentication?
Ios Microsoft Remote Desktop Resolution
If you want to restrict who can access your PC, choose to allow access only with Network Level Authentication (NLA). When you enable this option, users have to authenticate themselves to the network before they can connect to your PC. Allowing connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with NLA is a more secure authentication method that can help protect your computer from malicious users and software. To learn more about NLA and Remote Desktop, check out Configure NLA for RDS Connections.
Microsoft App Remote Desktop Login
If you're remotely connecting to a PC on your home network from outside of that network, don't select this option.