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Summary

The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 8.0 update lets you use the new Remote Desktop Services features that were introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. These features are now available for computers that are running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Check out the new features and known issues in RDP 8.0.

To use this update, you must download the update, install a prerequisite and then install this update.
Note You may have to restart the computer multiple times when you install this update.

If you install RDP 8.0 on the client, you must manually enable it after the installation.

Download the RDP 8.0 update

Download the Update for Windows 7 SP1 for x86-based systems package now.

Download the Update for Windows 7 SP1 for x64-based systems package now.

Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 for x64-based systems package now.

Install the prerequisite

Before you install the RDP 8.0 update, you must have hotfix 2574819 installed as a prerequisite.

Enable the update on the client

To enable RDP 8.0 on a remote computer that's running Windows 7 SP1, follow these steps: 

Note The following instructions are applicable only to remote computers that are running Windows 7 SP1.

  1. Install the appropriate version of the update package by running the Windows6.1-KB2592687 update file.

  2. Restart the computer.

  3. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

  4. Enable the Remote Desktop Protocol policy. The setting for this policy is under the following node:

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Remote Session Environment

  5. If the UDP functionality is required, enable the RDP Transport policy, and then set the value to Use both TCP and UDP. The setting for the RDP Transport policy is under the following node:

    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Connections

    Note Configuring the RDP Transport policy also lets the firewall allow UDP port 3389.

  6. Restart the computer.

More Information

RDP 8.0 is not compatible with versions of Forefront Unified Access Gateway (UAG) 2010 prior to Service Pack 3.  For more information, see What's new in Forefront UAG Service Pack 3.

To verify that RDP 8.0 is enabled on a remote computer that's running Windows 7 SP1, use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) 8.0 to connect to the computer from a computer that’s running Windows 8 or Windows 7 SP1. Then, follow these steps to verify that RDP 8.0 is enabled:

  1. If RDP 8.0 is enabled, the connection quality button will be displayed in the connection bar.

  2. Click the connection quality button to open an information dialog box that resembles the following. (Refer to the following screen shot for this step.)

    connection quality button

The presence of the connection quality icon and the connection quality dialog box confirms the availability of RDP 8.0 for the remote connection.

New features in RDP 8.0 for Windows 7 SP1

This update introduces the following features for remote computers that are running Windows 7 SP1:

These features are available only when you use a client that is compatible with RDP 8.0. For example, a computer that's running Windows 8 or Windows 7 SP1 with the RDP 8.0 update installed can connect to another computer that is running Windows 7 SP1 with the RDP 8.0 update installed.

New features in the Remote Desktop Connection 8.0 client for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

The Remote Desktop Connection 8.0 update supports the following new features when you connect to a supported and appropriately configured server:

  • Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0

    RDP 8.0 support includes the following:

    • Remote for WAN

    • RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics

    • Remote Network Auto Detect

    • RemoteFX Media Streaming

      This feature is available when you connect to computers that are running one of the following operating systems:

    • Windows 8

    • Windows Server 2012

    • Windows 7 with RDP 8.0 installed and enabled

  • Dynamic In-Session USB Redirection

    This feature lets users select USB devices for redirection in the middle of a remote session. USB devices can be swapped between remote sessions or with the local computer. When the RemoteFX USB redirection feature is enabled, users can tap the Devices icon on the connection bar to select which devices are redirected.

    Dynamic In-Session USB Redirection is available when you connect to computers that are running one of the following operating systems:

    • Windows 8

    • Windows Server 2012

    • Windows 7 with the RDP 7.1 RemoteFX vGPU feature enabled

    • Windows 7 with RDP 8.0 installed and enabled

  • Improved single sign-in experience for Remote Desktop Web Access

    This feature simplifies and improves the user experience. It lets users provide their user names and passwords only one time when they connect to IT published apps and desktops. Users are not prompted to provide their credentials for successive connections.

    For more information about how to configure Web Single Sign-On (web SSO), see Remote Desktop Web Access single sign-on now easier to enable in Windows Server 2012.

    This feature is available only when you connect to Windows Server 2012 virtual-machine based deployments and session-based desktop deployments.

  • Reconnect for RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

    This feature lets users easily disconnect and reconnect to IT published apps and desktops. It is available to users when they use the RemoteApp and Desktop Connections feature to connect to Windows Server 2012 virtual machine-based desktop deployments and session-based desktop deployments.

  • Support for RemoteFX Media Redirection APIs for VoIP applications

    This feature enables applications such as Lync 2013 to deliver a rich audio and video conferencing experience. For more information, see General information about Microsoft Lync 2013 VDI Plugin. This feature is available when you connect to computers that are running one of the following operating systems:

    • Windows 8

    • Windows Server 2012

    • Windows 7

    • Windows Server 2008 R2

  • Support for Nested Sessions

    In certain specific situations, RDP 8.0 supports running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session.

    For more information, see Running a Remote Desktop Connection session within another Remote Desktop Connection session in RDP 8.0.

Known issues with the RDP 8.0 update

  • Virtual desktops that have RemoteFX vGPU installed cannot use RDP 8.0.

    Issue

    After you use Group Policy to install and enable RDP 8.0 on a computer that has RemoteFX vGPU installed, RDP 8.0 is not available.

    Resolution

    This update does not enable RDP 8.0 for connections to computers that have RemoteFX vGPU installed. If you must have RDP 8.0 enabled, remove RemoteFX vGPU from the virtual desktop.

  • The Shadow command cannot be used to remotely monitor another user's remote connection.

    Issue

    Windows 7 SP1 supports the Shadow command (Remote Control). This command can be used by an administrator to view or control an active session of another user. After RDP 8.0 is enabled on a computer that's running Windows 7 SP1, an administrator user cannot use the Shadow command to view or control another user's session.

    Resolution

    Administrators can use Remote Assistance or another product that provides similar capability to view or control another user's session.

  • Aero Glass support is unavailable.

    Issue

    The Aero Glass remoting feature in Windows 7 lets users who are running compatible Remote Desktop Connection clients use features such as a Flip-3D, the live task bar preview, and the translucent window border in a remote desktop session when a compatible RDC 7.0 client is used. After RDP 8.0 is enabled, users cannot use the Aero Glass remoting feature.

    Resolution

    Administrators should not enable RDP 8.0 on remote computers that are running Windows 7 SP1 for users who must use the Aero Glass remoting feature.

  • RDP 8.0 on remote computers that are running Windows 7 SP1 does not use the UDP protocol.

    Issue

    The RemoteFX for WAN feature in RDP 8.0 uses TCP and UDP protocols to optimize the user experience. After you install and enable RDP 8.0 on computers that are running Windows 7 SP1, RDP 8.0 is configured to use only the TCP protocol.

    Resolution

    Configure RDP 8.0 to use both the TCP and UDP protocols.

  • Local administrators who are not members of the Remote Desktop Users group cannot sign in by using a Remote Desktop Connection client.

    Issue

    After RDP 8.0 is enabled, local administrators who are not a member of the Remote Desktop Users group cannot sign in.

    Resolution

    Add local administrator users to the Remote Desktop Users group.

  • The firewall rule that allows UDP traffic is not enabled when you use a Group Policy Object (GPO) to enable RDP 8.0.

    Issue

    If you use a GPO to enable RDP 8.0, the UDP firewall rule that allows UDP traffic may not be enabled.

    Resolution

    Create a GPO to enable the "Remote Desktop - User Mode (UDP-In)" firewall.

  • The firewall rule that allows TCP traffic may not be enabled if you apply this update manually.

    Issue

    If you use Local Security Policy to enable RDP 8.0, the TCP firewall rule that allows TCP traffic may not be enabled.

    Resolution

    Enable the "Remote Desktop - RemoteFX (TCP-In)" firewall rule in the Windows Firewall with Advanced security.

  • You experience slow performance when IPsec is deployed in the network.

    Issue

    If you connect to a computer by using the RDP 8.0 protocol when IPsec is deployed on the network, you may experience slow performance.

    Resolution

    Install hotfix 2570170 on the server.

  • You cannot use the multi-touch and gestures functionalities when you connect to a computer remotely.

    Issue

    This issue occurs when you use Remote Desktop Connection Client 8.0 on a computer that is running Windows 7 SP1.

    Resolution

    The RemoteFX multi-touch feature is supported only when both the client and server computers are running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012.

  • You are repeatedly prompted for authentication when you connect to computers by using Remote Web Access in Small Business Server 2011 and Windows Server 2012 Essentials domains.

    Issue

    When you try to connect to a computer in a Windows Server 2012 Essentials, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard, or Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials domain by using Remote Web Access or Remote Desktop Gateway, you are repeatedly prompted for authentication.

    Resolution

    To work around this issue, see Information about how to work around multiple authentication prompts after you apply updates 2574819 and 2592687.

For more information about the RDP 8.0 update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, see Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 Update for Windows 7 SP1: Enabling a great WAN user experience for Windows 7 SP1 virtual desktops.

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