Remote Desktop tips for remotely accessing Windows 8 computers

Do you need to take remote desktop connections to computers running Windows 8 (or Windows Server 2012)? If so, you've probably noticed that getting to for instance the Start screen can be tricky, just like accessing the Charms bar on the right.

This seems to be a common problem, as I've received several email questions on this, and there appear to be many forum questions on the topic as well. So, I thought I'd share my connection tips when using the Windows Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) to connect to your remote (virtual) Windows 8 era computers.

First of all, make sure you are running the latest Remote Desktop Connection version. Windows Update should have updated your copy, but if not, you can download the latest client here. To check your version, run mstsc.exe, and open the application's system menu (the classic Windows menu) by left-clicking the icon on the top-left corner or by pressing Alt+Space. Then, select About. You should see Shell and Control version 6.2.9200, and at the bottom, Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 supported.

In my opinion, the best way to remote desktop to a Windows 8 machine is to tweak the connection's settings before you connect. When connecting, go to the options ("Show Options" command) and navigate to the Local Resources tab. There, for Keyboard, select either "Only when using the full screen" or "On the remote computer", as you prefer. This settings allows you to use the Windows key (and combinations, like Win+C and Win+Z) when the remote connection is open.

However, sometimes you don't have the chance to set these settings, or you simply forgot and don't want to reconnect again. In these cases, you can use the new system menu commands, accessible through the remote desktop connection client's menu.

Once you have the connection open, open the system menu by left-clicking the application icon (again, the top-left corner), right-click the title bar (when not in full screen), press Alt+Space, or Shift+click the remote connection's icon on the task bar. Then, select any of the available Remote Commands from the menu. These are:

• App commands: this opens the app bar for the (Windows 8 Store) application currently active; this is similar to a right-click in most applications
• Charms: open the Windows Charms Bar; similar to pressing Win+C
• Snap: (can’t get this one to work, really)
• Switch apps: opens the application list for Windows store apps; similar to moving your mouse to the top-left corner, and then moving the mouse down
• Start: goes to the start menu.

This new menu is highly useful, make sure you familiarize yourself with it.

Happier remoting!

PS. A Windows 8 Store app for Remote Desktop is available, this was published in September, 2012.