How to Enable Multiple Remote Desktop (RDP) Sessions on Windows Server

By default, a standard Windows Server installation limits Remote Desktop sessions to a maximum of two concurrent connections for administrative purposes. While this is sufficient for basic management, many businesses and teams need multiple users to access the server simultaneously.

If you've tried to have a third user connect only to be met with an error message, you've encountered this built-in limitation.

The good news is that you can modify this setting to allow for more than two RDP sessions. This technical guide will walk you through the exact steps required to edit the local group policy on your Windows VPS to enable multiple concurrent user connections.

Disclaimer: Enabling more than two RDP sessions requires proper licensing from Microsoft through Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licenses (CALs). This guide shows the technical steps to change the setting; it is your responsibility to ensure you are compliant with Microsoft's licensing terms.

Before You Begin: What You Need

• Administrator Access: You must be logged into your Windows VPS with an account that has administrator privileges.
• A Windows VPS: This procedure applies to Windows Server operating systems (2016, 2019, 2022). All BlastVPS Windows RDP plans (opens new window) provide the necessary administrator access to perform these steps.

Step 1: Open the Local Group Policy Editor

The setting that controls the number of RDP connections is located in the Local Group Policy Editor.

1. Connect to your Windows VPS via RDP.
2. Press the Windows Key + R to open the "Run" dialog box.
3. Type gpedit.msc into the box and press Enter or click OK.

This command will launch the Local Group Policy Editor console.

Step 2: Navigate to the RDP Session Policy

Once the editor is open, you will use the left-hand navigation pane to drill down to the correct policy setting.

Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Connections

Step 3: Edit the Connection Limit Policies

Inside the "Connections" folder, there are two key settings we need to modify.

A. Set the Number of Connections

1. In the right-hand pane, find the policy named "Limit number of connections" and double-click it.
2. A new window will open. By default, it is "Not Configured."
3. Change the setting to "Enabled".
4. In the "RD Maximum Connections allowed" box, set the number to 999999. This effectively makes it unlimited from a policy standpoint.
5. Click Apply, then OK.

B. Disable the User Limit

Next, we need to disable the policy that restricts each user to a single session.

1. In the same "Connections" folder, find the policy named "Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop Services session" and double-click it.
2. Change this setting to "Disabled". This will allow users to have multiple sessions if needed.
3. Click Apply, then OK.

Step 4: Restart the Server to Apply Changes

For the new group policy settings to take full effect, you must restart your server.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Click the Power icon.
3. Choose "Restart".

Once your server reboots, the new policies will be active, and you will be able to have more than two users connect via RDP simultaneously, provided you have the appropriate RDS licenses.

The Best Foundation for Your Team

Running a multi-user environment requires a server with strong performance to ensure a smooth experience for everyone. With powerful AMD Ryzen™ CPUs and blazing-fast NVMe SSDs, our Windows VPS plans provide the power and reliability needed to support your entire team.

Deploy Your Multi-User Windows Server Today (opens new window) and empower your team with simultaneous RDP access.

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Further Reading: For detailed information on licensing, please refer to the official Microsoft documentation on RDS CALs (opens new window).