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You receive various certificate-related error messages when connecting to a Terminal server that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2

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This article provides a solution to various certificate-related error messages when you connect to a Terminal server.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number:   2000960

Symptoms

You receive one of the following error messages when you connect to a Terminal server that is running Windows Server 2008 or a Remote Desktop Server that is running Windows Server 2008 R2:

Your Remote desktop connection failed because the remote computer cannot be authenticated

The remote computer could not be authenticated due to problems with its security certificate. It may be unsafe to proceed.

Name mismatch
Requested remote computer is <computer name 1>
Name in the certificate is <computer name 2>

Certificate errors
The following errors were encountered while validating the remote computer's certificate: The server name on the certificate is incorrect.

You cannot proceed because authentication is required.

-or-

The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified.Do you want to connect anyway?

The remote computer could not be authenticated due to problems with its security certificate. It may be unsafe to proceed.

Name mismatch
Requested remote computer is <computer name 1>
Name in the certificate is <computer name 2>

Certificate errors
The server name on the certificate is incorrect
the certificate is not from a trusted certifying authority.

Do you want to connect despite these certificate errors?

Cause

The issue occurs because an incorrect certificate is used to make the Terminal server session or remote desktop session.

Resolution

Here are the steps to verify the selected certificate:

  1. Open the Terminal Services Configuration windows in Windows Server 2008 or the RD Session Host Configuration in Windows Server 2008 R2.
  2. Open the properties dialog of the RDP-Tcp connection.
  3. On the General tab, check the selected certificate. Ensure that you select a correct certificate to make Terminal Server sessions or Remote Desktop sessions.