Editing Remote Desktop Protocol (section)

== History ==
{{Main|Remote Desktop Services}}

{{bad summary}}
Every server and professional version of Microsoft Windows from Windows XP onward<ref>{{cite web | url= http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-vista/Connect-to-another-computer-using-Remote-Desktop-Connection | title= Connecting to another computer Remote Desktop Connection | author= Microsoft | access-date= 2012-12-22 | archive-date= January 16, 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116172522/http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-vista/Connect-to-another-computer-using-Remote-Desktop-Connection | url-status= live }}</ref> includes an installed Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) ("Terminal Services") client ({{mono|mstsc.exe}}) whose version is determined by that of the operating system or by the last applied [[Windows service|Windows Service]] Pack. The Terminal Services server is supported as an official feature on [[Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server Edition]], released in 1998, [[Windows 2000 Server]], all editions of [[Windows XP]] except Windows XP Home Edition, [[Windows Server 2003]], [[Windows Home Server]], on [[Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs]], in [[Windows Vista]] Ultimate, Enterprise and Business editions, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and on Windows 7 Professional and above. The home versions of Windows do not support RDP.

Microsoft provides the client required for connecting to newer RDP versions for downlevel operating systems. Since the server improvements are not available downlevel, the features introduced with each newer RDP version only work on downlevel operating systems when connecting ''to'' a higher version RDP server from these older operating systems, and not when using the RDP server in the older operating system.{{clarify|date=May 2014}}

=== Version 4.0 ===
Based on the [[ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector|ITU-T]] T.128 application sharing protocol (during draft also known as "T.share") from the [[T.120]] recommendation series, the first version of RDP (named version 4.0) was introduced by Microsoft with "Terminal Services", as a part of their product [[Windows NT 4.0]] Server, Terminal Server Edition.<ref name=":0" /> The Terminal Services Edition of NT 4.0 relied on [[Citrix Systems|Citrix]]'s MultiWin technology, previously provided as a part of [[Citrix WinFrame]] atop Windows NT 3.51, in order to support multiple users and login sessions simultaneously. Microsoft required Citrix to license their MultiWin technology to Microsoft in order to be allowed to continue offering their own terminal-services product, then named Citrix MetaFrame, atop Windows NT 4.0. The Citrix-provided DLLs included in Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Services Edition still carry a Citrix copyright rather than a Microsoft copyright. Later versions of Windows integrated the necessary support directly. The T.128 application sharing technology was acquired by Microsoft from UK software developer [[Metaswitch|Data Connection Limited]].<ref>Implementing Collaboration Technologies in Industry, Bjørn Erik Munkvold, 2003; Chapter 7</ref>

=== Version 5.0 ===
This version was introduced with [[Windows 2000#Server family features|Windows 2000 Server]], added support for a number of features, including printing to local printers, and aimed to improve network bandwidth usage. The RDP clients available through the Windows 2000 Terminal Server Disk Creation Tool is tested and working on even 16 bit Windows 3.1 using 3rd party TCP/IP libraries such as Trumpet WinSock.

=== Version 5.1 ===
This version was introduced with [[Windows XP]] Professional and included support for 24-bit color and sound. It is supported on [[Windows 2000]], [[Windows 9x]], and [[Windows NT 4.0]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=80111f21-d48d-426e-96c2-08aa2bd23a49&displaylang=en |title=Windows XP Remote Desktop Connection software [XPSP2 5.1.2600.2180&#93; |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=2012-08-27 |access-date=2014-03-11 |archive-date=September 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908204215/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=80111f21-d48d-426e-96c2-08aa2bd23a49&DisplayLang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> With this version, the name of the client was changed from ''Terminal Services Client'' to ''Remote Desktop Connection''; the heritage remains to this day, however, as the underlying executable is still named {{mono|mstsc.exe}}.

=== Version 5.2 ===
This version was introduced with [[Windows Server 2003]], included support for console mode connections, a session directory, and local resource mapping. It also introduces Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 for server authentication, and to encrypt terminal server communications.<ref name=WS2003SP1TLS>{{cite web |title=Configuring authentication and encryption |url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782610.aspx |date=January 21, 2005 |access-date=March 30, 2009 |archive-date=March 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318052939/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc782610.aspx |url-status=live }} Microsoft Technet article</ref> This version is built into [[Windows XP Professional x64 Edition]] and Windows Server 2003 x64 & x86 Editions, and also available for Windows XP as a download.

=== Version 6.0 ===
This version was introduced with [[Windows Vista]] and incorporated support for [[Windows Presentation Foundation]] applications, [[Network Level Authentication]], multi-monitor spanning and large desktop support, and [[Transport Layer Security|TLS 1.0]] connections.<ref name=MSKBv6NewFeatures>{{cite web |title= Remote Desktop Connection (Terminal Services Client 6.0) |url= http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/925876 |date= June 8, 2007 |access-date= June 20, 2007 |archive-date= July 17, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070717081442/http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/925876 |url-status= live }} Microsoft KB article 925876, revision 7.0.</ref> The RDP 6.0 client is available on Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1/SP2 (x86 and x64 editions) and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition through KB925876. Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Macintosh OS X is also available with support for Intel and PowerPC Mac OS versions 10.4.9 and greater.

=== Version 6.1 ===
This version was released in February 2008 and is first included with [[Windows Server 2008]] and Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 and later backported to Windows XP with Service Pack 3. The RDP 6.1 client is available on Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1/SP2 (x86 and x64 editions) and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition through KB952155.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952155 | title=Description of the Remote Desktop Connection 6.1 client update for Terminal Services in Windows XP Service Pack 2 | publisher=microsoft | access-date=2014-03-11 | archive-date=August 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829115853/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952155 | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to changes related to how a remote administrator connects to the "console",<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/12/17/changes-to-remote-administration-in-windows-server-2008.aspx
|title=Changes to Remote Administration in Windows Server 2008
|date=December 17, 2007
|access-date=February 10, 2008
|work=Terminal Services Team Blog
|publisher=Microsoft
|archive-date=March 5, 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305054514/http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2007/12/17/changes-to-remote-administration-in-windows-server-2008.aspx
|url-status=live
}}</ref> this version has new functionality introduced in Windows Server 2008, such as connecting remotely to individual programs and a new client-side printer redirection system that makes the client's print capabilities available to applications running on the server, without having to install print drivers on the server<ref>{{cite web
 |url        = http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/484d57e7-feb4-4dcc-9d13-152c053516471033.mspx?pf=true
 |archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20140121002246/http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/library/484d57e7-feb4-4dcc-9d13-152c053516471033.mspx?pf=true
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-date = January 21, 2014
 |title      = Terminal Services Printing
 |date       = January 10, 2008
 |access-date = February 10, 2008
 |work       = TechNet&nbsp;– Windows Server 2008 Technical Library
 |publisher  = Agozik-Microsoft
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2007/04/26/introducing-terminal-services-easy-print-part-1.aspx |title=Introducing Terminal Services Easy Print: Part 1 – Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) Team Blog – Site Home – MSDN Blogs |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=February 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213012007/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2007/04/26/introducing-terminal-services-easy-print-part-1.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> also on the other hand, remote administrator can freely install, add/remove any software or setting at the client's end. However, to start a [[remote administration]] session, one must be a member of the Administrators group on the server to which one is trying to get connected.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Securing Remote Desktop (RDP) for System Administrators {{!}} Information Security Office|url=https://security.berkeley.edu/education-awareness/best-practices-how-tos/system-application-security/securing-remote-desktop-rdp|access-date=2020-10-12|website=security.berkeley.edu|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012115849/https://security.berkeley.edu/education-awareness/best-practices-how-tos/system-application-security/securing-remote-desktop-rdp|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Version 7.0 ===

This version was released to manufacturing in July 2009 and is included with [[Windows Server 2008]] R2, as well as with [[Windows 7]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/08/21/remote-desktop-connection-7-for-windows-7-windows-xp-windows-vista.aspx
 |title       = Remote Desktop Connection 7 for Windows 7, Windows XP & Windows Vista
 |date        = August 21, 2009
 |access-date  = August 21, 2009
 |work        = Terminal Services Team Blog
 |publisher   = Microsoft
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090827093910/http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/08/21/remote-desktop-connection-7-for-windows-7-windows-xp-windows-vista.aspx
 |archive-date = August 27, 2009
 |df          = mdy-all
}}</ref> With this release, also changed from ''Terminal Services'' to ''Remote Desktop Services''. This version has new functions such as Windows Media Player redirection, bidirectional audio, multi-monitor support, Aero glass support, enhanced bitmap acceleration, Easy Print redirection,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/09/28/using-remote-desktop-easy-print-in-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx |title=Using Remote Desktop Easy Print in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-03-11 |archive-date=May 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508111114/http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/09/28/using-remote-desktop-easy-print-in-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Text Services Framework|Language Bar]] docking. The RDP 7.0 client is available on Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1/SP2 through KB969084,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/10/28/announcing-the-availability-of-remote-desktop-connection-7-0-for-windows-xp-sp3-windows-vista-sp1-and-windows-vista-sp2.aspx |title=Announcing the availability of Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 for Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1, and Windows Vista SP2 |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308114249/http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/10/28/announcing-the-availability-of-remote-desktop-connection-7-0-for-windows-xp-sp3-windows-vista-sp1-and-windows-vista-sp2.aspx |archive-date=March 8, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and is not officially supported on Windows Server 2003 x86 and Windows Server 2003 / Windows XP Professional x64 editions. It is also not officially supported on Windows Server 2008.

Most RDP 7.0 features like Aero glass remote use, bidirectional audio, Windows Media Player redirection, multiple monitor support and Remote Desktop Easy Print are only available in Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate editions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/06/23/aero-glass-remoting-in-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx#9861892 |title=Aero Glass Remoting in Windows Server 2008 R2 |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627094235/http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/06/23/aero-glass-remoting-in-windows-server-2008-r2.aspx#9861892 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/08/21/remote-desktop-connection-7-for-windows-7-windows-xp-windows-vista.aspx#9902608 |title=Remote Desktop Connection 7 for Windows 7, Windows XP & Windows Vista |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827093910/http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/08/21/remote-desktop-connection-7-for-windows-7-windows-xp-windows-vista.aspx#9902608 |archive-date=August 27, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

=== Version 7.1 ===

Release 7.1 of RDP was included with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 in 2010. It introduced [[RemoteFX]], which provides virtualized GPU support and host-side encoding.

=== Version 8.0 ===
This version was released in [[Windows 8]] and [[Windows Server 2012]]. This version has new functions such as Adaptive Graphics (progressive rendering and related techniques), automatic selection of TCP or UDP as transport protocol, [[multi touch]] support, DirectX 11 support for vGPU, [[USB redirection]] supported independently of vGPU support, etc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/windowsserver/archive/2012/05/09/windows-server-2012-remote-desktop-services-rds.aspx |title=Windows Server 2012 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) – Windows Server Blog – Site Home – TechNet Blogs |publisher=Blogs.technet.com |date=May 8, 2012 |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005022811/http://blogs.technet.com/b/windowsserver/archive/2012/05/09/windows-server-2012-remote-desktop-services-rds.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tech80" /> A "connection quality" button is displayed in the RDP client connection bar for RDP 8.0 connections; clicking on it provides further information about connection, including whether UDP is in use or not.<ref name="kb2592687">{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592687 |title=Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 8.0 update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 |publisher=Support.microsoft.com |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025162157/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592687 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The RDP 8.0 client and server components are available on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 through KB2592687. The RDP 8.0 client is also available for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, but the server components are not. The RDC 8.0 client includes support for session encryption using the [[Transport Layer Security|TLS]] 1.2 standard.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/incorrect-tls-use-rdp-with-ssl-encryption#more-information | title=Incorrect TLS is displayed - Windows Server | date=June 5, 2024 }}</ref> The add-on requires the [[DTLS]] protocol to be installed as prerequisite.<ref name="kb2592687" /> After installing the updates, for the RDP 8.0 protocol to be enabled between Windows 7 machines, an extra configuration step is needed using the [[Group Policy]] editor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2013/04/09/get-the-best-rdp-8-0-experience-when-connecting-to-windows-7-what-you-need-to-know.aspx |title=Get the best RDP 8.0 experience when connecting to Windows 7: What you need to know – Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) Team Blog – Site Home – MSDN Blogs |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=February 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212081832/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2013/04/09/get-the-best-rdp-8-0-experience-when-connecting-to-windows-7-what-you-need-to-know.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

A new feature in RDP 8.0 is limited support for RDP session nesting; it only works for Windows 8 and Server 2012 though, Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 (even with the RDP 8.0 update) do not support this feature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2754550 |title=Running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session is supported with Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 for specific scenarios |publisher=Support.microsoft.com |date=2012-11-02 |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117204255/http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2754550 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The "shadow" feature from RDP 7, which allowed an administrator to monitor (snoop) on a RDP connection has been removed in RDP 8. The Aero Glass remoting feature (applicable to Windows 7 machines connecting to each other) has also been removed in RDP 8.<ref name="tech80">{{cite web |url=http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/tip/How-Microsoft-RDP-80-addresses-WAN-graphics-shortcomings |title=How Microsoft RDP 8.0 addresses WAN, graphics shortcomings |publisher=Searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209201016/http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/tip/How-Microsoft-RDP-80-addresses-WAN-graphics-shortcomings |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kb2592687" />

=== Version 8.1 ===
This version was released with [[Windows 8.1]] and [[Windows Server 2012 R2]]. The RDP 8.1 client, like the RDP 8.0 client, is available on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 through KB2923545 but unlike the RDP 8.0 update for Windows 7, it does not add a RDP 8.1 server component to Windows 7. Furthermore, if RDP 8.0 server function is desired on Windows 7, the KB 2592687 (RDP 8.0 client and server components) update must be installed before installing the RDP 8.1 update.<ref name="kb2830477">{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2830477 |title=Update for RemoteApp and Desktop Connections feature is available for Windows |publisher=Support.microsoft.com |date=2014-02-11 |access-date=2014-03-11 |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209174746/http://support.microsoft.com/KB/2830477 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2013/11/12/remote-desktop-protocol-8-1-update-for-windows-7-sp1-released-to-web.aspx |title=Remote Desktop Protocol 8.1 Update for Windows 7 SP1 released to web – Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services) Team Blog – Site Home – MSDN Blogs |publisher=Blogs.msdn.com |access-date=2014-02-13 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222013055/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/rds/archive/2013/11/12/remote-desktop-protocol-8-1-update-for-windows-7-sp1-released-to-web.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

Support for session shadowing was added back in RDP version 8.1. This version also fixes some visual glitches with [[Microsoft Office 2013]] when running as a [[RemoteApp]].<ref name="kb2830477" />

Version 8.1 of the RDP also enables a "restricted admin" mode. Logging into this mode only requires knowledge of the hashed password, rather than of its [[plaintext]], therefore making a [[pass the hash]] attack possible.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://labs.portcullis.co.uk/blog/new-restricted-admin-feature-of-rdp-8-1-allows-pass-the-hash/ |title=New "Restricted Admin" feature of RDP 8.1 allows pass-the-hash |publisher=Labs.portcullis.co.uk |date=2013-10-20 |access-date=2014-03-11 |archive-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210131158/http://labs.portcullis.co.uk/blog/new-restricted-admin-feature-of-rdp-8-1-allows-pass-the-hash/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Microsoft has released an 82-page document explaining how to mitigate this type of attack.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=36036
|title=Mitigating Pass-the-Hash (PtH) Attacks and Other Credential Theft Techniques
|publisher=Microsoft.com
|access-date=2014-03-11
|archive-date=April 21, 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421164128/http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=36036
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

=== Version 10.0 ===
Version 10.0 of the RDP was introduced with [[Windows 10]] and includes the following new features: AutoSize zoom (useful for HiDPI clients).
In addition graphics compression improvements were included utilizing H.264/AVC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/enterprisemobility/2016/01/11/remote-desktop-protocol-rdp-10-avch-264-improvements-in-windows-10-and-windows-server-2016-technical-preview/|title=Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 10 AVC/H.264 improvements in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview|publisher=Microsoft.com|access-date=2016-01-12|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817075600/https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/enterprisemobility/2016/01/11/remote-desktop-protocol-rdp-10-avch-264-improvements-in-windows-10-and-windows-server-2016-technical-preview/|url-status=live}}</ref>