List of Remote Desktop Protocol clients#Non-Microsoft

{{Infobox software

| title = Remote Desktop Connection

| logo = Remote desktop connection icon.PNG

| logo size = 64px

| screenshot =

| caption =

| other_names = RDC, Remote Desktop, Microsoft Terminal Services Client, MSTSC

| developer = Microsoft

| included with = Microsoft Windows

| replaced_by = Microsoft Remote Desktop

| website = hide

}}

Remote Desktop Connection (RDC, also called Remote Desktop or just RD){{Cite web|title=Remote Desktop Services - Access from anywhere|url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-plan-access-from-anywhere|website=Microsoft}} is the client application for RDS. The program has the filename mstsc.exe and in Windows 2000 and prior, it was known as Microsoft Terminal Services Client (MSTSC or tsclient).{{cite web|title=Why doesn't the New Folder command work in the root of a redirected drive resource in a Remote Desktop session?|url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20131217-00/?p=2353|work=The Old New Thing|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=18 December 2013|date=17 December 2013}}{{cite book|first=John |last=Savill|title=The Complete Guide to Windows Server 2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=12_-v-G-01sC|access-date=1 June 2012|date=1 October 2008|publisher=Pearson Education|isbn=978-0-13-279758-0| page = 1752 | quote = Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 all contain the RDC tool, mstsc.exe [...] MSTSC in the filename mstsc.exe stands for Microsoft Terminal Services Client.}} It allows a user to remotely log into a networked computer running the Remote Desktop Services. RDC presents the desktop interface (or application GUI) of the remote system, as if it were accessed locally.{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/termserv.mspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030126121027/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/termserv.mspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=2003-01-26 | title=Technical Overview of Terminal Services in Windows Server 2003 | website=Microsoft | access-date=2007-07-23}} In addition to regular username/password for authorizing for the remote session, RDC also supports using smart cards for authorization. Although replacements have been released, as of the release of the Windows App, Remote Desktop Client is still recommended for use.{{Cite web |last=dknappettmsft |date=2024-09-24 |title=Get started with Windows App to connect to desktops and apps - Windows App |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/get-started-connect-devices-desktops-apps?tabs=windows-avd,windows-w365,windows-devbox,macos-rds,macos-pc&pivots=remote-pc |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}

RDC 6.0 was released as part of Windows Vista. With RDC 6.0, the resolution of a remote session can be set independently of the settings at the remote computer. If the Desktop Experience component is plugged into the remote server, remote application user interface elements (e.g., application windows borders, Maximize, Minimize, and Close buttons etc.) will take on the same appearance of local applications. In this scenario, the remote applications will use the Aero theme if the user connects to the server from a Windows Vista machine running Aero. Later versions of the protocol also support rendering the UI in full 32-bit color, as well as resource redirection for printers, COM ports, disk drives, mice and keyboards. With resource redirection, remote applications can use the resources of the local computer. Audio is also redirected, so that any sounds generated by a remote application are played back at the client system.{{cite web | url=https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc733093(WS.10).aspx | title=Whats new in Terminal Services in Windows Server 2008 | access-date=2007-07-23}} Moreover, a remote session can also span multiple monitors at the client system, independent of the multi-monitor settings at the server. RDC can also be used to connect to Windows Media Center (WMC) remote sessions; however, since WMC does not stream video using RDP, only the applications can be viewed this way, not any media.

RDC prioritizes UI data as well as keyboard and mouse inputs, as opposed to print jobs or file transfers. so as to make the applications more responsive. It redirects plug and play devices such as cameras, portable music players, and scanners, so that input from these devices can be used by the remote applications as well. RDC can also be used to connect to computers which are exposed via Windows Home Server RDP Gateway over the Internet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.logmein123remotesupport.com/|title=Remote Desktop Connection|website=Remote Support}} Finally, few shortcuts that will be handy

• To achieve {{keypress|Ctrl|Alt|Del}} effect on remote desktop, you can use the {{keypress|Ctrl|Alt|End}} key combination.
• To alternate between the full screen and window mode of remote desktop, you can use {{keypress|Ctrl|Alt|Break}} ( {{keypress|Ctrl|Fn|Alt|Shift}} on certain HP laptops).{{-}}

{{Redirects|Microsoft Remote Desktop|the Azure Virtual Desktop client|Remote Desktop client for Windows}}

{{Infobox software

| title = Microsoft Remote Desktop

| logo = Microsoft Remote Desktop logo.png

| logo size = 64px

| logo caption = The icon used for the Windows version

| other_names = Remote Desktop

| developer = Microsoft

| released = {{sda|2012|09|08|df=y}}

| latest release version = 10.2.4010.0

| latest release date = {{sda|2025|04|22|df=y}}{{Cite web

| url = https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9wzdncrfj3ps

| title = Microsoft Remote Desktop

| website = Microsoft Apps

| access-date = 2025-04-22}}

| operating system = {{ubl|

| Windows 8, 8.1, 10, 11

| MacOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, web

}}

| replaces = Remote Desktop Connection

| replaced_by = {{ubl|

| Remote Desktop client for Windows (on Windows for Azure Virtual Desktop)

| Windows App

}}

| website = hide

}}

Microsoft Remote Desktop, also called Remote Desktop, is a modern client for RDS released in September 2012. Compared to the older Remote Desktop Connection, the program offers a touch-friendly interface.{{Cite web |last=Kuzhiyil |first=Rishad Madhura |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/introducing-the-remote-desktop-windows-store-app/247486 |title=Introducing the Remote Desktop Windows Store App |website=Microsoft Tech Community |language=en |date=2012-09-05 |access-date=2025-04-22}} It allows users to connect to remote PCs, RemoteApp programs, session-based desktops, and virtual desktops.{{Cite web |title=Use the Remote Desktop app for Windows to connect to Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/remote-desktop-client/remote-desktop-windows-urdc |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Microsoft Learn |language=en-us}} The program is available on Windows as an Universal Windows Platform on the Microsoft Store, MacOS as Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac, Android, iOS, iPadOS, and on all platforms as a web client. The Windows version of the app is no longer being updated with new features or support for Azure Virtual Desktop. Instead, Azure users are recommend to use the Remote Desktop client for Windows.

In April 2025, Microsoft announced that support for the Remote Desktop app will end on May 27, 2025, urging users to transition to its successor, the Windows App.

In late 2018 Microsoft released an HTML5 web client for Microsoft Remote Desktop. The client allows users to connect to their remote apps or to their remote desktops without using an installed remote desktop client.{{Cite web |last=Waggoner |first=Rob |title=Microsoft Has Released the HTML5-Based RDP Web Client |url=http://blog.mycloudit.com/microsoft-has-released-the-html5-based-rdp-web-client |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=blog.mycloudit.com |language=en-us}}{{cite web | url=http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/feature/Windows-Remote-Desktop-Services-spotlight | title=Windows Remote Desktop Services spotlight | access-date=2010-11-18 }} is one of the components of Microsoft Windows that allow a user to initiate and control an interactive session{{Cite web |last=QuinnRadich |title=Remote Desktop Sessions - Win32 apps |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/termserv/terminal-services-sessions |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=docs.microsoft.com |language=en-us}} The web client uses the TLS secured port 443 and does not use the RD Gateway to transport traffic, instead relying solely on the remote desktop session host aspect of remote desktop services.{{Cite web |title=RD Web Client (HTML5) – New Features In 1.0.11 |url=https://www.rdsgurus.com/rd-web-client-html5-new-features-in-1-0-11/ |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=www.rdsgurus.com}}{{Cite web |last=Berson |first=Freek |date=2018-01-12 |title=The Microsoft Platform: HTML5 client for Microsoft Remote Desktop Services 2016: Remote Desktop Web Client |url=http://microsoftplatform.blogspot.com/2018/01/html5-client-for-microsoft-remote.html |access-date=2020-05-10 |website=The Microsoft Platform}}{{-}}

{{Infobox software

| title = Remote Desktop client for Windows

| logo = MSRDC icon.png

| logo size = 64px

| screenshot =

| caption =

| other_names = MSRDC, Microsoft Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop, Azure Virtual Desktop

| developer = Microsoft

| released = April 2022 (Azure Virtual Desktop){{Cite web |title=Azure Virtual Desktop Preview - Official app in the Microsoft Store |url=https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nzsg2h7ms6b?hl=en-US&gl=US |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Microsoft Apps |language=en-us}}

| operating system = Microsoft Windows

| replaces = Microsoft Remote Desktop

| website = {{Official website|1=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/users/connect-windows?pivots=remote-desktop-msi#download-and-install-the-remote-desktop-client-msi|name=microsoft.com}}

}}The Remote Desktop client for Windows (MSRDC),{{Cite web |title=Windows 10’s Remote Desktop options explained |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1613236/windows-10-remote-desktop-options-explained.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Computerworld |language=en}} branded as Microsoft Remote Desktop, Remote Desktop, and Azure Virtual Desktop if installed from the Microsoft Store, is a client that uses the Remote Desktop Protocol to allow users to connect to Azure Virtual Desktops on feeds made available by enterprise administrators.{{Cite web |last=dknappettmsft |date=2024-02-22 |title=Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the Remote Desktop client for Windows - Azure Virtual Desktop |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/users/connect-windows |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}} The program can be downloaded as an MSI installer as Remote Desktop or from the Microsoft Store as Azure Virtual Desktop.

In contrast with Microsoft Remote Desktop and like the older Remote Desktop Connection program, MSRDC allows for the redirection of local USB and serial devices.{{Cite web |title=Windows 10’s Remote Desktop options explained |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1613236/windows-10-remote-desktop-options-explained.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=Computerworld |language=en}} MSRDC is also used by Windows Subsystem for Linux to display programs with a graphical user interface.{{Cite web |last=Viswav |first=Pradeep |date=2021-10-11 |title=Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) now available as an app from Microsoft Store on Windows 11 |url=https://mspoweruser.com/windows-subsystem-linux-microsoft-store-windows-11/ |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=MSPoweruser |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=add msrdc.exe path by hideyukn88 · Pull Request #447 · microsoft/wslg |url=https://github.com/microsoft/wslg/pull/447 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=GitHub |language=en}}{{-}}

{{Infobox software

| title = Windows App

| logo = Windows App logo.png

| logo size = 64px

| developer = Microsoft

| released = September 19, 2024

| ver layout = stacked

| operating system = {{ubl|

| iOS/iPadOS 17+

| Android 9+

| Windows 10+

| macOS, ChromeOS, web

}}

| replaces = Microsoft Remote Desktop

| website = {{URL|1=https://windows.cloud.microsoft/}}

}}

The Windows App is a Remote Desktop Protocol client that allows users to connect to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Microsoft Dev Box instances. Additionally, on non-Windows platforms excluding the browser, the Windows App allows users to connect to servers running Remote Desktop Services and remote PCs.{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2024-09-19 |title=Microsoft releases a new Windows app called Windows App for running Windows apps |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/09/microsoft-releases-a-new-windows-app-called-windows-app-for-running-windows-apps/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}} On Windows, Microsoft advises users to use Remote Desktop Connection to connect to remote PCs and Remote Desktop client for Windows to connect to Remote Desktop Services. The app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, ChromeOS, and through web browsers.

The preview version of the app was first released in November 2023 and it was fully launched on September 19, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2023-11-16 |title=Windows is now an app for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and PCs |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/16/23963568/microsoft-windows-app-ios-ipados-macos-web |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2024-09-19 |title=Microsoft launches a Windows app for iPhones, Macs, and Android devices |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/19/24249087/microsoft-windows-app-ios-ipados-macos-web-general-availability |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=The Verge |language=en}} The app was developed as a unified way to access Windows PCs remotely and as replacement for Microsoft Remote Desktop. The app supports many of the features of Remote Desktop Connection include multi-monitor support, device redirection, and dynamic resolution.{{-}}

A RDS client also existed for Windows Mobile called Remote Desktop.{{cite web |last1=Drager |first1=Dave |title=How to Remotely Control your Mobile Phone from Desktop |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-remotely-control-your-windows-mobile-phone-from-desktop/ |website=MakeUseOf |access-date=27 January 2022 |date=27 March 2008}}{{cite web |last1=Miniman |first1=Brandon |title=Tutorial: Setting up Remote Desktop in Windows Mobile |url=http://pocketnow.com/how-to/tutorial-setting-up-remote-desktop-in-windows-mobile |website=PocketNow |access-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801124236/http://pocketnow.com/how-to/tutorial-setting-up-remote-desktop-in-windows-mobile |archive-date=2009-08-01 |date=2009-03-16 |url-status=dead}}

There have been numerous non-Microsoft implementations of clients that implement subsets of the Microsoft functionality for a range of platforms.

{{Main|rdesktop}}

rdesktop is a free and open-source implementation of a client software for RDP. rdesktop supports most features of RDP 5, with features from RDP 5.1 and 6 not yet implemented. Unlike its Microsoft counterparts, it still supports the older RDP 4 protocol used by Windows NT 4.0. There also several graphical frontends to rdesktop including tsclient, Gnome-RDP, and KDE Remote Desktop Connection (KRDC).{{cite web |title=rdesktop: A Remote Desktop Protocol Client |url=http://www.rdesktop.org/#docs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091916/http://www.rdesktop.org/#docs |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=November 29, 2008 |website=www.rdesktop.org}}

FreeRDP is a RDP client that started as a fork of rdesktop in 2009. It was created with the aim of modularizing the code, addressing various issues, and implementing new features. FreeRDP comes with its own command-line-client xfreerdp, which supports Seamless Windows in RDP6.{{cite web |date=2010 |title=FreeRDP-old README |url=https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP-old |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122222303/https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP-old |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2020 |website=GitHub |language=en |quote=FreeRDP is a successor to rdesktop, a longtime-favored application for use on *nix systems to access Windows servers and workstations. The goal of FreeRDP is twofold: ...}} Around 2011, the project decided to abandon forking and instead rewrite under Apache License, adding more features like RemoteFX, RemoteApp, and NTLMv2.{{cite web |date=27 February 2020 |title=FreeRDP/FreeRDP |url=https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227081227/https://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2020 |website=GitHub |publisher=FreeRDP}} A commercial distribution called Thincast was started in 2019.{{cite web |title=Hi! – The Thincast Workstation |url=http://www.freerdp.com/2019/02/20/hi-thincast-workstation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227142242/http://www.freerdp.com/2019/02/20/hi-thincast-workstation |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2020 |website=www.freerdp.com}} A multi-platform client based on FreeRDP including Vulkan/H.264 support followed in summer 2020. There's a GTK-based client named Remmina also based on FreeRDP.

FreeRDP offers server implementations for macOS and Windows. On other systems including Linux, software packages may build upon FreeRDP to implement a complete server. Weston, the compositor in Wayland, uses FreeRDP to implement an rdp server it terms "rdp-backend".{{man|7|weston-rdp|ManKier}} This server is in turn used by Microsoft to provide graphics support (WSLg) in its Windows Subsystem for Linux. {{Cite web |date=2021-04-20 |title=WSLg Architecture |url=https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/wslg-architecture/ |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Windows Command Line |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Remmina}}

Remmina is a free and open-source remote desktop client for POSIX-based system that supports RDP along with a verity of other protocols. It uses FreeRDP as a foundation.{{cite journal |last=Veitch |first=Nick |date=2010-09-17 |title=7 of the best Linux remote desktop clients |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/7-of-the-best-linux-remote-desktop-clients-716346 |journal=Linux Format |publisher=Tech Radar |issue=136 |accessdate=2014-04-17}}{{cite web |author=Frashad |date=2011-11-05 |title=Remmina: Feature Rich Remote Desktop Client For Ubuntu Linux |url=http://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/remmina-feature-rich-remote-desktop-client-for-ubuntu-linux/ |accessdate=2014-04-17 |work=Addictive Tips}} It is the default remote desktop client on Ubuntu.{{cite web |author=Joey Sneddon |date=8 November 2010 |title=Remmina to be Ubuntu's new remote desktop app |url=http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/11/remmina-to-be-ubuntus-new-remote-desktop-app/ |accessdate=2011-11-03 |publisher=OMG! Ubuntu}}

• Comparison of remote desktop software

{{Windows Components}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Remote Desktop Protocol clients, List of}}

Category:Remote desktop

Category:Windows components

Category:Lists of software