How do I allow multiple RDP sessions for single user in Windows Server?

Unlike Windows OS, for example, Windows 8.1 which only allows one concurrent RDP connection for a user, Windows Server OS allows 2 Remote Desktop sessions for each user by default. But if you need to allow more than 2 RDP sessions, you need to install the RDS (Remote Desktop Services) and purchase an RDS License.

How to allow Remote Desktop multiple connections same user

Here in this section, we’ll introduce how to allow Remote Desktop multiple connections same user. First, you’ll learn how to set your Windows Servers to allow 2 RDP sessions for the same user. Second, you’ll learn how to install the RDS role and allow more than 2 RDP sessions for the same user.

Part 1. How to allow 2 RDP sessions for the same user on Windows Server

Step 1. Log into the server using Remote Desktop.

Step 2. Press Win + R to open Run page, then type in “gpedit.msc” and click OK.

Step 3. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections.

Step 4. Double-click Restrict Remote Desktop Services user to a single Remote Desktop Services session.

Step 5. Set it to Disabled.

Step 6. Set Limit number of connections to Enabled and set the RD Maximum Connections allowed to 999999.

Part 2. How to allow more than 2 RDP sessions for the same user on Windows Server

If you need to allow more than 2 RDP sessions for the same user on Windows Server, you need to install the RDS role and purchase an RDS license. Specifically, below three RDS server roles might be necessary:

• RD Connection Broker.
• RD Session Host.
• RD Licensing server-there is a 120-day licensing grace period, appropriate RDS CALs should be purchased and installed before it has expired.

 Step 1. Open Server Manager. In the Dashboard, select Add roles and features.

Step 2. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Installation Type first. Then tick Role-based or feature-based installation.

Step 3. Click Server Selection, tick Select a server from the server pool, then select the server you want to install the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) on.

Step 4. Tick the Remote Desktop Service check-box in the Server Roles step and click Next. Go ahead with Features step-by-default options.

Step 5. Tick the Remote Desktop Connection Broker, Remote Desktop Licensing, and Remote Desktop Session Host check boxes, and click Next.

Step 6. Tick the Restart the destination server automatically if required and click Install. It will take a while to be installed completely. Reboot your computer after finishing.

Bonus tip: Easier way to allow remote desktop same user multiple sessions on Windows

You can use the third-party remote desktop tool AnyViewer to make it easier to allow remote desktop same user multiple sessions. For the following reasons, it has been regarded as the best RDP alternative for you to allow multiple remote desktop connections same user:

Compatibility. RDP only supports remote connection to higher Windows editions (Professional and Enterprise). Windows Home and Single Language editions cannot receive incoming remote desktop connections. While AnyViewer supports multiple Windows systems.

Network restriction. RDP can’t be used when the two devices are on different networks unless you set up a port forwarding or use a VPN, while AnyViewer can be used directly without network restriction.

 Multi-session. RDP only allows 1 concurrent remote session for the same user on Windows OS and 2 concurrent remote sessions on Windows Server OS, while AnyViewer supports free 2 concurrent remote sessions for both Windows OS and Windows Server OS.

Built-in chat. RDP doesn’t support built-in text chat, while AnyViewer supports it.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on both computers. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Step 2. Fill in the signup information.

Step 3. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you’ve logged in to. 

Step 4. Log in to the same AnyViewer account on multiple devices. You will then see a list of all the devices that have been logged into the same account. By selecting One-click control, any two of the three devices can start unattended remote access to a third device at the same time.

✍Note: Free account only supports 2 channels, which allows two devices to start remote sessions at the same time. You can upgrade your account to an Enterprise plan to get 10 channels, which allows 10 devices to start remote sessions simultaneously. And you can also access in privacy mode, assign more devices to the account for one-click secure unattended access, enjoy high-quality image, achieve mass deployment via MSI package, and so on. 

Closing words

If there is a way to have a user access multiple Remote Desktop sessions to a server? This post uncovers the answer and introduces the exact way to allow Remote Desktop multiple connections same user. Besides, it also introduces an easier way to achieve multiple remote sessions. If you’re interested, try it right now.