# How to Configure RDP in Windows Server 2008 R2

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-configure-rdp-windows-server-2008-r2/ | Published: 2015-07-30 | Updated: 2026-03-02 | Author: Alexander Wise

##### Verified and Tested: 3/24/15

## Introduction

This how-to will go over basic configurations for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) within Windows Server 2008 R2.

## Configure RDP in Windows Server 2008 R2

To access your Remote Desktop settings, click on the **Server Manager **icon in the lower-left corner of your desktop next to your **Start** button.

![How to Access Windows Server Manager](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp1.png) Windows Task Bar – Accessing Server Manager

On the right side of your **Server Manager **window, you will see a link to **Configure Remote Desktop**under **Computer Information**. Click on this link to view your Remote Desktop settings.

![How to Access Remote Desktop Configuration in Server Manager](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp2.png)

Server Manager Default Page

Normally, all servers have Remote Desktop enabled for all users. While this works well, you may want to restrict remote desktop access to a few select users. To do this, click on the third option then click on the **Select Users… **button.

 

![System Properties Remote Tab](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp3.png)

System Properties found in Server Manager. It defaults to the Remote tab when accessed from the ‘Configure Remote Desktop’ link on the main page.

Click on the **Add… **button to add another user to the list.

 

![Remote Desktop Users](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp4.png)

 

Remote Desktop Users. Administrators have access by default.

Type the user’s name in the text box, and then click **Check Name** for the server to locate them. Then click **OK.**

![Selecting a User for Remote Desktop Access](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp6.png)

The ‘Check Names’ button will be clickable after entering a username.

![Remote Desktop Users Update List](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rdp7.png)

All user access for Remote Desktop can be modified from here in the future.

Once you see that the user is added to the list, click **OK.** Note that as long as Remote Desktop is enabled the Administrator account will always have access.

You can then click **Apply **to apply the settings to the server and **OK** to exit the configuration.

Congratulations! You have just Configured RDP in Windows Server 2008.

Thank you for following along in this How-To. Feel free to check back with us for any new updates,

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