How to Enable Audio on a Windows Server 2008 R2

Verified and Tested 02/28/2015

Introduction

Audio is not enabled by default on Windows Server 2008 R2, but it is capable of playing sound. We will learn how to enable audio on your server.

Prerequisites

• Administrative access

Enabling Audio on Windows Server 2008 R2

First, we need to open Services by going to Start>All Programs>Administrative Tools>Services. You can also type “services.msc” in the search bar.

Start: Services

In Services, scroll down to Windows Audio and double click on it.

Services: Windows Audio

The Windows Audio Properties should open up. You will need to change the Startup Type to Automatic and then click on Start under the Service Status. Once done, click OK.

Windows Audio Properties.

 

 

We’re not quite done yet. Windows 2008 R2 disables remote audio playback by default. In order to enable this, you will need to enter your Terminal Services Configuration. To enter this, click on the Start button and search for this exact file: tsconfig.msc

tsconfig

Click on tsconfig to run your Terminal Services Configuration. Once here, right-click on RDP-Tcp under Connections and choose Properties.

Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration

In the properties, click on the Client Settings tab and un-check the Audio and video playback box under the redirection section. Then click OK.

RDP-Tcp Properties.

Close Terminal Services Config. In order for this new setting to take effect, you will need to exit your current Remote Desktop Session. Once you reconnect to your server, audio will be enabled! You can test this by right-clicking on the speaker icon in the bottom-right of your server’s desktop and clicking Sounds.

Test Sounds

Click on any of the Windows sounds under Program Events and then click the Test button. You should hear the chosen sound.

Sound

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