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Tech Tip: Enable Concurrent Desktop Sessions in Windows

Discussion in 'Articles and Reviews Comments' started by Julio Franco, Jan 6, 2012.

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  1. Julio Franco TechSpot Editor

    Julio Franco, Jan 6, 2012
    #1

  2. Guest

    I hope the author realizes that by enabling this "hack" he's actually breaching his Windows license agreement, and thus creating an illegal copy/installation of Windows on his machine. Better than that, he's practically recommends doing the same to others.
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #2

  3. Guest

    I have a couple of PCs, the main one I'm using now runs Windows 7 Ultimate, and downstairs
    a PC running Windows XP Media Centre Edition ... so I expected there to be no problems.

    <=> I ran the patch as Administrator on the WXP MCE machine, and rebooted as prompted.
    <=> After waiting for reboot cycle to be completed I logged on to that machine as normal.
    <=> Came upstairs to this W7Ult machine, and RDC'd into the WXP MCE machine.
    <=> Went back downstairs to find it had dropped back to the WXP logon screen.
    <=> Logged back on to the WXP MCE PC and returned upstairs to this PC.
    <=> W7Ult says "Remote Desktop session has ended." . . .

    So basically ... the patch doesn't work.
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #3

  4. Darth Shiv TechSpot Enthusiast

    "For example, if you have a dedicated Media Center PC running in the living room, you'll be able to remotely access all files on the machine without interrupting the person watching TV."

    Exactly how I use it with this hack.

    "I hope the author realizes that by enabling this "hack" he's actually breaching his Windows license agreement, and thus creating an illegal copy/installation of Windows on his machine. Better than that, he's practically recommends doing the same to others"

    And I hope you realise introducing ridiculous artificial restrictions and draconian licensing is why people hate the record and movie industries. Microsoft has done well to embrace the open hardware platform and allow great flexibility in their software platform.
    Darth Shiv, Jan 6, 2012
    #4

  5. Guest

    Ask Steve Gibson from Gibson Research if he would ever recommend 'patching' a critical Windows DLL file. Not a good idea at all from a security perspective I'm sure.
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #5

  6. Per Hansson TechSpot Server Guru

    Is it possible to increase the limit on Windows Server editions from the normal maximum of 2 concurrent users without a terminal server license too?
    Per Hansson, Jan 6, 2012
    #6

  7. SeiveD Newcomer, in training

    I'd like to know what kind of keyboard they have on the front page for this article.
    SeiveD, Jan 6, 2012
    #7

  8. Burty117 TechSpot Chancellor

    that is simply the coolest keyboard I've ever seen!
    Burty117, Jan 6, 2012
    #8

  9. Guest

    The keyboard looks to be an Optimus Maximus, they are ~$2k IIRC
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #9

  10. SeiveD Newcomer, in training

    Ah, Indeed it is. I'll wait until I'm filthy rich to buy one, then.
    SeiveD, Jan 6, 2012
    #10

  11. Guest

    Great tip. I've been using this for the last several versions of Windows thanks to these guys guide - http://www.missingremote.com/guide/how-enable-concurrent-sessions-windows-7-service-pack-1-rtm
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #11

  12. Guest

    Been doing this since the Windows XP days, should be a default feature of the Pro / Ultimate version of Windows.
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #12

  13. jobeard TechSpot Ambassador

    the article plainly states
    "This is not a technical limitation but rather a licensing one." so your comment is fact; this is hack that breaks the terms of the EULA. :blackeye:
    jobeard, Jan 6, 2012
    #13

  14. Guest

    How can we be certain that the author of the patch has not installed his own backdoor, now allowing him full access to all patched systems?
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #14

  15. Rick TechSpot Staff

    This patch *must* modify the termserv DLL by either reverse engineering it or replacing it with Windows Server version. Either method most certainly breaks intellectual property / copyright laws.

    Truth be told, the responsibility falls upon the developer, but I was surprised to see this here.

    I have not tried this, but I read by using the termsrv.dll from Windows Server Enterprise (not Standard or Business edition... Data Center would probably work too) and modifying the policy options under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop/ Terminal services.

    If you're running Windows home and don't have gpedit, there is a registry equivalent, but I do not remember where to find it.
    Rick, Jan 6, 2012
    #15

  16. KBadaloni Newcomer, in training

    Does this mean it will work on Windows Server 2003?
    KBadaloni, Jan 6, 2012
    #16

  17. Julio Franco TechSpot Editor

    As noted on the article, Windows Server has this feature enabled by default (with a limitation in terms of number of users). What this hack accomplishes is to enable the feature in client versions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
    Julio Franco, Jan 6, 2012
    #17

  18. otester Newcomer, in training

    Microsoft supports SOPA, therefore everyone should be boycotting and sharing their stuff.

    Also US law doesn't govern the globe.
    otester, Jan 6, 2012
    #18

  19. Guest

    If you need to share the desktop with someone why not just use Remote Assistance? Once you get the user's permission you can control/share their desktop legally.
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #19

  20. Guest

    Teamviewer or VNC anyone?
    Guest, Jan 6, 2012
    #20
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