Windows 10

Resolve Common Windows 10 Remote Desktop Connection and Functionality Issues

November 11, 2024

Mastering Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 10: Troubleshoot and Optimize Your Experience

As an experienced IT professional, I’ve seen my fair share of remote desktop connection challenges. Whether you’re managing a fleet of Windows 10 machines or supporting remote workers, ensuring reliable and high-performance remote desktop functionality is crucial. In this comprehensive article, we’ll dive deep into common Windows 10 Remote Desktop Connection issues and equip you with practical solutions to resolve them.

Scaling Challenges on High-Resolution Displays

One of the most prevalent issues users face with Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 10 is the inability to properly scale the display, leading to tiny, unusable interfaces. This is particularly problematic when connecting to high-resolution devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro 4.

The built-in Mstsc.exe tool in Windows 10 often falls short when it comes to handling high-DPI displays. However, there’s a simple solution that can make a world of difference: the Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) from Microsoft.

“RDCMan v2.7 does not seem to work and there are others in the comment section of the blog saying the same thing. I tried mRemoteNG instead as it was also suggested in the comments, but there’s an issue with Win10 Anniversary Update and RDgateway, so struck out there too. I’m trying RDCMan v2.2 now, but have to install .NET 2.0 (on Win10, wow) first…”

To resolve this scaling issue, follow these steps:

Download and install the Remote Desktop Connection Manager from the Microsoft website.
Navigate to the RDCMan.exe file location (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Remote Desktop Connection Manager\RDCMan.exe).
Right-click on the RDCMan.exe file, select “Properties,” and then navigate to the “Compatibility” tab.
Uncheck the “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings” option.
Save the changes and launch the RDCMan application.

This should resolve the scaling issues and provide a much more usable remote desktop experience, even on high-resolution displays.

Verifying Remote Desktop Identity and Certificates

Another common challenge users face is the Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer they’re trying to connect to. This typically manifests as a warning message similar to the one below:

“Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer that you want to connect to. Try reconnecting to the Windows-based computer, or contact our administrator.”

This issue is often related to certificate-related security concerns. There are a few scenarios where this can occur:

Self-Signed Certificates: If the remote machine is using a self-signed certificate instead of one issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), the client machine will not be able to verify the identity of the remote computer.
Connecting via IP Address: When connecting to a remote machine using an IP address instead of a hostname, the certificate will not match the IP address, causing the verification to fail.
Untrusted Certificate Authority: Even if the remote machine is using a certificate issued by a trusted CA, the client machine may not have the necessary root certificate installed to establish a trusted chain of verification.

To resolve these issues, you can take the following steps:

Utilize Hostname-Based Connections: Whenever possible, connect to the remote machine using its hostname rather than its IP address. This will ensure the certificate’s subject name matches the connection.
Deploy Internal PKI/ADCS: Implement an internal Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) or Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) in your environment. This will allow you to issue and manage certificates that are trusted by all domain-joined machines.
Export and Deploy Certificates: If using self-signed certificates, export the remote machine’s certificate (without the private key) and create a Group Policy Object (GPO) to deploy it to the client machines’ Trusted Root Certification Authorities store.

By addressing these certificate-related concerns, you can eliminate the annoying warning messages and establish secure, trusted Remote Desktop connections.

Optimizing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Deployments

For organizations with more complex remote access requirements, such as publishing applications or desktops to remote users, the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) roles in Windows Server can provide a comprehensive solution. However, configuring RDS to work seamlessly with Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 10 can present its own set of challenges.

One of the key considerations for RDS deployments is ensuring the appropriate certificates are configured and used by the various RDS server roles. This includes:

RD Session Host: The certificate used by the RD Session Host servers must have the correct Subject Name (CN) or Subject Alternative Name (SAN) that matches the name users connect to.
RD Web Access: For external access, the certificate used by the RD Web Access role should be obtained from a public Certificate Authority and have the correct FQDN or URL.
RD Gateway: Similar to RD Web Access, the certificate for the RD Gateway role should be obtained from a public CA and match the external name users connect to.

By properly configuring the certificates for each RDS role, you can eliminate the certificate-related warning messages and provide a seamless remote access experience for your users.

Additionally, when deploying RDS, ensure that you leverage the built-in certificate management capabilities provided by the server roles. This can simplify the deployment and management of the required certificates across the RDS farm.

Disabling IPv6 for Improved Connectivity

In some cases, users may encounter intermittent connectivity issues or timeout errors when trying to establish a Remote Desktop Connection. One potential solution to this problem is disabling IPv6 on the client machine.

“Disabling IPv6 seems to have fixed the problem for me and others!”

Here’s how you can disable IPv6 on your Windows 10 client:

Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Network and Sharing Center.”
Click on “Change adapter settings” in the left-hand menu.
Right-click on the active network adapter and select “Properties.”
Uncheck the “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” option.
Click “OK” to save the changes.

This simple step can often resolve issues related to Remote Desktop Connection timeouts or gray screen/blank screen problems.

Staying Up-to-Date and Adaptive

As with any technology, the landscape of Remote Desktop Connection and remote access solutions is constantly evolving. It’s important to stay informed about the latest updates, bug fixes, and best practices to ensure you’re providing the best possible experience for your users.

Resources like the Microsoft TechNet and IT Fix community forums can be invaluable in staying up-to-date on the latest developments and troubleshooting tips. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the community or engage with Microsoft support if you encounter any persistent issues.

Additionally, be prepared to adapt your approach as new versions of Windows 10 and Remote Desktop technologies are released. What may have worked in the past may require adjustments to accommodate the latest changes and security enhancements.

By combining practical troubleshooting techniques, leveraging the right tools and resources, and maintaining a proactive mindset, you can ensure your organization’s Remote Desktop Connection experience remains seamless, secure, and efficient.

Remember, the IT Fix blog is always here to provide you with the latest insights, tips, and solutions to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of IT and technology. Stay tuned for more informative articles like this one to keep your IT infrastructure running smoothly.