MSTSC – Windows CMD Command
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Connect and login to a remote machine using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) also known as Terminal Server Connection (TSC).
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Syntax MSTSC option MSTSC /Edit "ConnectionFile" MSTSC /migrate Options ConnectionFile The name of an RDP file for connection /v:<server[:port]> The remote computer to connect to /console Connect to the console of a server (NT/XP) /Admin Connect to a session for administering the server(Vista/2008) /f Start in Full Screen mode /w:width Width of the RDP screen /h:height Height of the RDP screen /span Match the Remote Desktop width and height with the local virtual desktop, spanning across multiple monitors if necessary.(Vista/2008) /public Run Remote Desktop in public mode. (Vista/2008) In public mode, passwords and bitmaps are not cached. /edit Open the RDP file for editing. /migrate Convert a legacy Client connection file into an .RDP file |
To connect to a remote computer the user account must be a member of the local group ‘Remote Desktop users’ on the remote server (either directly or inherited via a global group) in addition the user account needs the privilege SeRemoteInteractiveLogonRight (allow logon through RDP/Terminal Services.)
The command CMDKEY can be used to setup/save the password credentials used by Remote Desktop.
Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys that can be used when connected to a Remote Desktop:
| Windows Shortcut | Remote Desktop | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+ALT+Del | Ctrl+ALT+END | Bring up the Windows Security dialog box. |
| ALT+TAB | ALT+Page Up | Switch between programs from left to right. |
| ALT+Shift+TAB | ALT+Page Down | Switch between programs from right to left. |
| ALT+Esc ALT+Shift+Esc | ALT+INSERT | Switch between programs in the order they were started. |
| Ctrl+Esc | ALT+HOME | Display the Start menu. |
| n/a | Ctrl+ALT+BREAK | Switch the client between full-screen mode and window mode. |
| ALT+Space Bar | ALT+Delete | Displays the remote window’s Control menu |
| ALT+Print Screen | Ctrl+ALT+NumPad MINUS | Place an image of active window onto the Terminal Services clipboard. |
| Print Screen | Ctrl+ALT+NumPad PLUS | Place an image of the entire TS client on the Terminal Services clipboard. This is almost the same as pressing ALT+Print Screen to capute the window locally but removes the Windows chrome and so shows more of the remote window. |
If the RDP shortcut keys don’t work – this is dependent on your RDP options/settings.
The window may need to be a full screen to accept shortcut keys.
All the RDP connection settings can be saved to a .rdp file, which you can then run from a shortcut:
The default settings are saved in default.rdp, you can also edit the .rdp file, the settings while scarcely documented all in plain text.
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Examples: MSTSC /v:MyServer /f /console MSTSC /v:127.0.0.1 /w:1024 /h:768 MSTSC /v:MyServer /w:800 /h:600 MSTSC /edit filename.rdp |
Error: “Your credentials did not work”
This error can have several causes:
If using a domain account, prefix with the domain name: f4tdom\userf4t
If the account is a non-administrator, you may need to grant login rights as described above.
If the password contains any special characters: $,/,\, Tabs, etc then copy and paste of the password to an RDP session may not work.
Specific problems: copy/paste will convert TABs into spaces and double $$’s are removed (e.g. Pa$$word1)
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