How to Configure the Windows Remote Desktop Users Group

Windows Remote Desktop is a powerful feature that allows users to connect to and control a computer remotely. However, to ensure security and manageability, it’s crucial to configure user access appropriately. This article will guide you through the steps to configure the Windows Remote Desktop Users Group, allowing you to manage who can access a system remotely.

What is the Remote Desktop Users Group?

The Remote Desktop Users Group is a built-in group in Windows that grants members the necessary permissions to connect to a computer via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). By default, only members of the Administrators group can access a computer remotely. However, you can add users to the Remote Desktop Users Group to provide them with remote access without granting full administrative rights.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have:

• Administrative access to the computer you want to configure.
• The names of users you want to add to the Remote Desktop Users Group.

Steps to Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group

Step 1: Enable Remote Desktop

Before configuring user access, ensure that Remote Desktop is enabled on the target machine.

1. Open System Properties:
   • Right-click on This PC or My Computer on the desktop or in File Explorer.
   • Select Properties.
2. Access Remote Settings:
   • Click on Remote settings in the left-hand pane.
3. Enable Remote Desktop:
   • In the System Properties dialog, under the Remote tab, select Allow remote connections to this computer.
   • Optionally, uncheck the box for Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication if you want to allow older clients.
4. Apply Changes:
   • Click Apply and then OK.

Step 2: Add Users to the Remote Desktop Users Group

Once Remote Desktop is enabled, you can add users to the Remote Desktop Users Group.

1. Open Computer Management:
   • Right-click on the Start button and select Computer Management.
   • Alternatively, you can press Windows + R, type compmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Local Users and Groups:
   • In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups and select Groups.
3. Locate Remote Desktop Users Group:
   • Double-click on Remote Desktop Users in the middle pane. This will open the properties window for the group.
4. Add Users:
   • In the Remote Desktop Users Properties window, click on the Add button.
   • In the “Select Users” dialog, enter the usernames of the users you want to add. You can also click Advanced to search for users.
   • After entering the usernames, click OK to add them to the group.
5. Close the Group Properties Window:
   • After adding the users, click OK to close the Remote Desktop Users Properties window.

Step 3: Verify User Access

After configuring the users, it’s good practice to verify that they can connect via Remote Desktop.

1. Log in as a User: Have the user log in to their account and attempt to connect to the target machine using Remote Desktop.
2. Using Remote Desktop Connection:
   • Press Windows + R, type mstsc, and hit Enter to open Remote Desktop Connection.
   • Enter the IP address or hostname of the computer you wish to connect to, then click Connect.
   • The user should enter their credentials when prompted. If configured correctly, they should successfully connect to the remote machine.

Step 4: Manage and Remove Users

If you need to remove a user or manage access later, follow these steps:

1. Open Computer Management as previously described.
2. Navigate to Local Users and Groups and select Groups.
3. Open Remote Desktop Users Group:
   • Double-click on Remote Desktop Users.
4. Remove Users:
   • In the Properties window, select the user you want to remove and click Remove.
   • Click OK to apply the changes.

Conclusion

Configuring the Windows Remote Desktop Users Group is essential for securely managing remote access to your computers. By following these steps, you can easily grant specific users the ability to connect remotely without giving them full administrative privileges. Regularly reviewing and updating user access is a good practice to ensure the security of your systems. With the correct setup, Remote Desktop can be a valuable tool for remote management and support.