Remote Desktop Command in Run
Overview
This article explains some of the parameters available when using MSTSC.exe to open a remote desktop connection. These commands can also be applied to create a remote desktop connection shortcut with custom set parameters. This article is a continuation of the Enabling Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and MSTSC article.
MSTSC Parameters
Several parameters are available.
- /v:server: Specifies the remote computer to which you want to connect.
- /console: Connects to the console session of the specified Windows 2000 Server.
- /f: Starts Remote Desktop connection in full-screen mode.
- /w:width /h:height : Specifies the dimensions of the Remote Desktop screen.
- /edit: Opens the specified .rdp file for editing.
- /migrate: Migrates legacy connection files that were created with Client Connection Manager to new .rdp connection files.
- /span: Span the length of the available area.
- /admin: Log in to administer the server.
MSTSC Commonly Used Commands
For the average user, the commands that are probably the most relevant to you are /v and /f.
Note: If you are using the computer name to remote on to a machine, you must be on the same network like a VPN or be on the same internal network or you must have previously set up in a host file or have DNS configured correctly.
Let’s say the computer I’m trying to get on has a name of computer1 and an IP of 192.168.255.255.
Our syntax is mstsc {ConnectionFile|/v:server} [/console] [/f] [/w:width /h:height]
Full Screen
In the run command or shortcut I would type in mstsc /v:computer1 /f or
In the run command I would type in mstsc /v:192.168.255.255 /f
Assign a Height and Width
If I want to individually force my width and height (or assign both), I could use something like
mstsc /v:192.168.255.255 /w:1024 /h:768
mstsc /v:192.168.255.255 /w:1600
Span across multiple (2+) monitors
If you're like me, you like dual monitors. Only problem is when you RDP to another computer, you only use one of your monitors. Sometimes I like to have the extra space so I use the /span command.
For a shortcut or the run command: mstsc /v:192.168.255.255 /span or
mstsc /span
When using /span, your remote desktop window will get treated like its 1 giant monitor.
mstsc /admin
If you are a server administrator and you get something like:
- “The terminal server has exceeded the maximum number of allowed connections”
- A black screen after you RDP to a server (assuming your server hasn't crashed)
