You cannot create a remote desktop session as an administrator when Autologon is enabled in Windows Server 2008

When you try to create remote desktop sessions by using the original local administrator account or the domain administrator account in Windows Server 2008, you receive the following error message:This problem occurs when Autologon (that is, the "single session per user" policy) is enabled.

For example, you log on as the local administrator when Autologon is enabled. When you create a remote connection to the computer by using the local administrator’s credentials, the existing glass session appears for a few seconds, and then the session is disconnected.

Note Other members of the Administrators group may not experience this issue.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this issue, delete the ForceAutoLogon registry value. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Right-click ForceAutoLogon, and then click Delete.
4. In the Confirm Value Delete dialog box, click Yes.

Note Deleting this registry value will disable Autologon.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: