Remote Desktop in Windows Server 2019: How to enable it?

In the era of connectivity and remote work, having tools that allow us to remotely access and control our servers is essential. One of the most important features of Windows Server 2019 is Remote Desktop, which gives us the ability to remotely access our server and manage it efficiently. Below, we will explore how to enable and activate Remote Desktop in Windows Server 2019, so you can enjoy its benefits and functionalities.

The first thing you need to do is to access the Server Manager on your Windows Server 2019. You can do this through the "Start" menu and selecting the "Server Manager" option in the list of programs. Once the Server Manager window opens, you are ready to get started.

To enable Remote Desktop you have to follow the instructions provided below.

• In the Server Manager window, find and select the "Manage" option in the upper right corner. Next, a menu will pop up, where you will need to click on "Add Roles and Features". This will open the Add Roles and Features Wizard.

• The wizard will guide you through a series of steps. On the "Before you begin" page, you can read relevant information about the process. Click "Next" to continue.

• On the "Installation type" page, select the "Feature or role-based installation" option and click "Next".

• Then, on the "Select Server" page, make sure your server is selected in the list and click "Next".

• Next, on the "Server Roles" page, scroll down until you find the "Remote Desktop Services" option and check the box next to it. A pop-up window will appear asking you to add some additional features for Remote Desktop. Click "Add Features" to accept and continue.

• On the "Features" page, you do not need to make any additional selections. Click "Next" to continue.

• On the "Remote Desktop Services" page, different Remote Desktop service roles will be displayed. In this case, select "Remote Desktop Session Server" and "Remote Desktop

• Administration Tools". Next, a pop-up window will appear asking if you want to add additional features. Click "Add Features" to accept and continue.

• On the "Installation Summary" page, the selected options will be displayed. Verify that everything is correct and click "Install" to begin installing the selected roles and features.

  The installation process may take a few minutes. Once finished, a confirmation window will be displayed. Click "Close" to close the wizard.

Now that you have enabled Remote Desktop, it is necessary to perform some additional configurations to make sure everything works correctly.

• In the Server Manager window, click on the "Tools" option in the upper right corner and select "Remote Desktop Services". The Remote Desktop Services Manager window will open.

• Then, in the Remote Desktop Services Manager window, make sure that the "Remote Desktop Session Host Settings" option is selected in the left pane. In the right pane, right-click on your server and select "Properties".

• Then, in the Remote Desktop Session Host Properties window, select the "Network Settings" tab and verify that the "Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop" and "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication" options are enabled. This will ensure that remote computers can securely access the server.

• If you want to limit the number of simultaneous Remote Desktop sessions, you can do so on the "Sessions" tab. Here you can set the maximum session limit and configure additional options according to your needs.

• Click "OK" to save your changes.

To allow Remote Desktop connections to reach your server, you need to configure the Windows Firewall.

• Open the "Control Panel" on your server and select "System and Security", then click "Windows Firewall".

• In the Windows Firewall window, select "Advanced Settings" in the left pane.

• In the left pane, click "Inbound Rules" and then select "New Rule" in the right pane.

• The wizard to create a new rule will open. On the first page, choose "Program" and click "Next".

• On the next page, select "This program path" and click "Browse". Navigate to the location of "termsrv.exe" on your server (usually "C:\Windows\System32\termsrv.exe") and select the file. Then click "Next".

• Then choose "Allow connection" and click "Next".

• On the "Profile" page, select the network profiles for which you want to allow Remote Desktop connections (e.g. "Domain" and "Private"). Then click "Next".

• Finally, on the "Name" page, enter a descriptive name for the rule (e.g. "Allow Remote Desktop Connections") and, if desired, provide an additional description. Then click "Finish" to complete the Firewall configuration.

In summary, enabling and configuring Remote Desktop in Windows Server 2019 is a simple but important process to remotely access and manage your server. Through the above steps, you were able to enable this feature, configure the connection options and set the necessary rules in the Windows Firewall.

Remember that Remote Desktop gives you the flexibility and convenience of managing your server from anywhere, which is especially useful in remote work environments or when you need to access your server from different locations. However, it is important to make sure you maintain the security of your server and apply best practices in terms of passwords, authentication and Firewall settings.

I hope this article has provided you with a clear guide on how to enable and activate Remote Desktop in Windows Server 2019. Remember to always consult Microsoft's official documentation or seek additional assistance if you have any questions or face any specific issues during the process.

Take full advantage of Remote Desktop on your Windows Server 2019 and manage your server efficiently and accessible from anywhere!