How to add a user to RDP permissions by using WMI

This article describes three methods to add users or groups to Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) permissions.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number:   290720

Summary

Two of the three methods use Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). One method is through the graphical user interface (GUI), and the other two methods use WMI by using a script and the WMI command-line utility, wmic.

More information

To add users or groups to RDP permissions, use one of the following methods.

Using the GUI

1. Open Remote Desktop Services Configuration.
2. In the Connections folder, right-click RDP-Tcp.
3. Select Properties.
4. On the Permissions tab, select Add, and then add the wanted users and groups.

Using WMI in a script

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. Which includes, but isn't limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you're familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure. However, they won't modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. Create a script by using the following code sample:

set RDPObj = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!Win32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName='RDP-Tcp'")
RDPobj.AddAccount "Domain\User", X

Where "Domain\User", X:

• Domain\User: Target domain and account (user or group) to which permissions are to be granted. For local accounts, replace Domain\User with only User, where User is a local account on the computer on which you're running the command.
• X: The type of access to be granted:
  0 = WINSTATION_GUEST_ACCESS
  1 = WINSTATION_USER_ACCESS
  2 = WINSTATION_ALL_ACCESS

To change permissions for the console session, change the terminal name to Console instead of to RDP-Tcp.

set RDPObj = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!Win32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName='Console'")RDPobj.AddAccount "Domain\User", X

To revert the permissions back to the default permissions, specify the relevant terminal name. Then, call the RestoreDefaults method.

set RDPObj = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!Win32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName='Console'")RDPobj.RestoreDefaults

Using the WMI command-line utility: WMIC

1. At a command prompt, type wmic.

   Note

   If it isn't in the path, add %SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem\, or change to that directory and run wmic.

2. At the wmic:root\cli> prompt, type the following command:
   PATH WIN32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName="RDP-TCP" call AddAccount "Domain\user",X

   Where "Domain\User", X:

   • Domain\User: Target domain and account (user or group) to which permissions are to be granted. For local accounts, replace Domain\User with only User, where User is a local account on the computer on which you're running the command.
   • X: The type of access to be granted:
     0 = WINSTATION_GUEST_ACCESS
     1 = WINSTATION_USER_ACCESS
     2 = WINSTATION_ALL_ACCESS

   To change permissions for the console session, change the terminal name to Console instead of to RDP-Tcp.

   PATH WIN32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName="Console" call AddAccount "Domain\user",X
   

   To revert the permissions back to the default permissions, specify the relevant terminal name. Then, call the RestoreDefaults method.

   PATH WIN32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName="Console" call RestoreDefaults
   

3. The following information is an example of the text that you'll see after you run wmic and input the command:

   C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem>wmic
   wmic:root\cli>
   wmic:root\cli> PATH WIN32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName="RDP-TCP" call AddAccount "Domain\User", 2
   
   Execute (\\<ComputerName>\\root\vimv2: WIN32_TSPermissionsSetting.TerminalName="RDP-TCP")->AddAccount() (Y/N/?)
   
   Method Execution Successful.
   Out Parameters:
   instance of _PARAMETERS
   {
   RetureValue=0;
   };
   

4. Type quit to exit the wmic prompt and to return to the command prompt.