Windows Remote Desktop: Can I make it share the screen?
Can I somehow change XP/Vista/7's Remote Desktop server so that when I connect remotely it just shares the screen instead of taking over the system? |
I don't think RDP has that ability. |
Yeah, VNC does what I want but I'm trying to avoid having to install it and thus having additional drivers like VNC mirror driver, etc. -- View image here: //episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif -- |
There are some hacks floating around out there to allow you to have concurrent connections in RDP. I never tried them but supposedly they work. |
The "Remote Assistance" feature allows this to happen, so there has to be some magic switch [or similar] to enable it. |
Email yourself a never-expiring, password-protected RA invite. -- View image here: //episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- |
You don't need the mirror driver to install vnc. I prefer it over RDP for my HTPC because I couldn't get RDP to do what I want [basically just act as a remote keyboard/mouse. I don't think that RDP can be set up to do that [it wants to give you full access to the desktop] but maybe remote assistance would work. |
Ya, Remote Assistance allows screen sharing. |
We just create a helpdesk group that can connect to remote PCs via RA without invites. Helpdesk folks use it constantly. Really like it so much more than VNC and no install or 3rd party software needed. //support.microsoft.com/kb/301527 |
I'm not sure how well this will work in an HTPC environment [Full screens apps etc] but I think if you launch RDC with the console switch it will do this i.e.: |
Vista & the RDP 6.1 client for downlevel OSes replace /console with /admin. However, that does not do what the OP wants [OP wants VNC/RA/LiveMeeting/others] which is screen sharing. |
Remote Assistance is the answer. It allows both sides to see the screen, and uses RDP. |
As a sidenote, if your client machines are Vista/7, there are canned rules that you can enable in GPMC under "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security" for Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop that make it easier to configure the firewall policy. |
So if I'm reading the linked articles correctly, this method still requires the novice user to authorize the remote support attempt? Many times we have to remotely access a machine when the user's not present. |
That is correct. For the times you have to remotely access a machine without the user's input, just RDP to the machine and log in as a domain administrator. |
Remote support is a complicated issue, depending on your policies you may require the user to give permission etc. |
Microsoft SharedView will do it, provided you're in North America. |
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