Remote desktop

philip95

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how can i set up windows 8 to allow 2 or more of users to connect to my windows 8 desktop by remote desktop connection
i know there must be some way to use as when i was work experience every one one was connecting to the same comptere buy that a windows xp comptuer
 

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Hi there

Officially it can't be done -- Windows is a SINGLE user system and you'd be breaking the EULA even if you could get it to work. You really need a SERVER for this.

Note that also RDP will only allow INCOMING connections if you have Windows 8 professional or Enterprise. The standard version will only allow OUTGOING connections.

Use Google if you need "unofficial patches" -- it took me 10 secs to find several links -- so use keyboard and mouse.

Note it's against the Forum rules to provide direct links to these sort of patches which break the EULA license.

Windows 8 is for use on ONE computer by ONE account at a time --you can have many accounts but only one account can be actively logged on.

That's why Ms has SERVERS for which people have to pay CAL's or client access licenses.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Hi there

Officially it can't be done -- Windows is a SINGLE user system and you'd be breaking the EULA even if you could get it to work. You really need a SERVER for this.

Note that also RDP will only allow INCOMING connections if you have Windows 8 professional or Enterprise. The standard version will only allow OUTGOING connections.

Use Google if you need "unofficial patches" -- it took me 10 secs to find several links -- so use keyboard and mouse.

Note it's against the Forum rules to provide direct links to these sort of patches which break the EULA license.

Windows 8 is for use on ONE computer by ONE account at a time --you can have many accounts but only one account can be actively logged on.

That's why Ms has SERVERS for which people have to pay CAL's or client access licenses.

Cheers
jimbo

would i be able to do it if set up a SERVER?
 

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    8GB
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    2TB (system drieve)
    2TB (Backup drive)
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    Lots of fans
Yes, you could do it with a server version of Windows. But it is much more expensive.
 

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Hi there
Here's another idea for you which could be of interest -- and would be an interesting learning curve too.

Set up a Linux machine -- there are loads of free distros around for download -- suse / Ubuntu are possibly 2 of the easier one's to start with and they usually work without too much user customisation.

Install VBOX on it -- this is like VMware for virtual machine -- or vmplayer for Linux Player Version History (both are free -- I prefer VMware but some like Oracle's VBOX).

Now create a Windows Virtual machine image for each of the users you want to allow to access the Windows machine. Once you've created a Windows virtual machine -- provided you CLONE it with identical Windows images you won't have to activate it again - and the EULA specifically doesn't forbid multiple VM images on the SAME PHYSICAL machine -- or at least its so vague as to be "Do what you like so long as you are only using 1 copy of Windows on ONE machine" - where 1 copy means ONE licensed copy).

Even on commercial servers where Ms actually mentions Virtual images it will allow I think up to 4 images per physical CPU (that's per PHYSICAL CPU - so if you have a 4 way processor and spilt your hardware into 4 machines - the 4 Windows copies still applies --you can't have 4 per processor !!). so a home user would be fine here in the above situation.

Linux is a multi -user system so each user can concurrently logon -- even better the users don't have to logon to the HOST Linux system at all -- simply start the vm's in the background via CRONTAB - give each one a different "computer name" and then provide your users with the name of the vm image they will be using -- and hey presto they can RDP to their own "Virtual image Windows machine". They don't even have to know they are on a virtual machine.

depending on what the users will be doing a 1GB VM should be enough. Your Host machine should be reasonably powerful though if you are going to have 5 or 6 people logged on at the same time.

The trick is to start the VM's in the background so no user has to be actually using the VM when its started. That way a remote user can RDP directly to the VM without needing any sort of account or access on the Host system.

In normal use a user has to be logged on to the host and manually start a program like VMware and bring up the VM. When he logs off all his sessions are gone so the vm is shut down too.

As a Background job the vm is always available so long as the HOST computer is running even if no user is logged on to it at the time.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I think Jimbo's VM solution breaks several license provisions - it attempts to get around activation - it has multiple copies installed on VMs, which the EULA does forbid - unless there are valid licenses for each installation (each VM is considered to be a separate computer for licensing purposes).

Use in a virtualized environment. If you use virtualization software, including Client Hyper-V, to create one or more virtual computers on a single computer hardware system, each virtual computer, and the physical computer, is considered a separate computer for purposes of this agreement. This license allows you to install only one copy of the software for use on one computer, whether that computer is physical or virtual. If you want to use the software on more than one virtual computer, you must obtain separate copies of the software and a separate license for each copy.

That is hardly "vague", I think you will agree.

Remote Desktop does allow another user beyond the licensed user for remote access, but specifically one at a time, with other licensing conditions imposed:

Other users, one at a time, may access the licensed software running on this host pc, from any device using Remote Desktop, but only if the remote device is separately licensed to run an edition of Windows 8 or Windows RT.

So if you are using a previous version of Windows, or some other OS on a machine not licensed to run Windows 8 or RT, you can't legally use Remote Desktop to access a Windows 8 machine.

Now if each user had a third party Remote Desktop application such as one of the VNC variants or Letmein, and sequentially viewed the desktop of one of the other users, would this constitute a violation - probably, but who would know?

Looking at Win 8 Pro list of windows features that could be installed, Remote Desktop Web Connection seems to be gone - I am sure it was in Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
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    pretty good
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    Chrome Canary usually
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    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
I think Jimbo's VM solution breaks several license provisions - it attempts to get around activation - it has multiple copies installed on VMs, which the EULA does forbid - unless there are valid licenses for each installation (each VM is considered to be a separate computer for licensing purposes).

Use in a virtualized environment. If you use virtualization software, including Client Hyper-V, to create one or more virtual computers on a single computer hardware system, each virtual computer, and the physical computer, is considered a separate computer for purposes of this agreement. This license allows you to install only one copy of the software for use on one computer, whether that computer is physical or virtual. If you want to use the software on more than one virtual computer, you must obtain separate copies of the software and a separate license for each copy.

That is hardly "vague", I think you will agree.

Remote Desktop does allow another user beyond the licensed user for remote access, but specifically one at a time, with other licensing conditions imposed:

Other users, one at a time, may access the licensed software running on this host pc, from any device using Remote Desktop, but only if the remote device is separately licensed to run an edition of Windows 8 or Windows RT.

So if you are using a previous version of Windows, or some other OS on a machine not licensed to run Windows 8 or RT, you can't legally use Remote Desktop to access a Windows 8 machine.

Now if each user had a third party Remote Desktop application such as one of the VNC variants or Letmein, and sequentially viewed the desktop of one of the other users, would this constitute a violation - probably, but who would know?

Looking at Win 8 Pro list of windows features that could be installed, Remote Desktop Web Connection seems to be gone - I am sure it was in Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions.

Hi there
That's if you are using Windows 8 which changed the whole licensing system (PUR etc). I agree and have already said this is against the license.

W7 / W2K3 server etc used to allow allow in fact up to 4 images on a SINGLE CPU. This older license hasn't been changed. W8 system HAS though.

The fact you mention HYPER -V also implies Windows 8 since this is non existent on a W7 Host.

Your quote for RDP also here specifies Windows 8 or RT -- I agree but if you go into licensing for W7 and earlier the whole area is much more "grey" with relation to VM's.


Windows 8 PRO allows RDP both ways (inbound and outbound) Windows 8 standard only allows OUTBOUND i'e you can CONNECT to another computer but a computer can't connect to you via RDP.

To allow inbound connections enable RDP in control panel

The standard app is a stupid full screen metro app where you can't enter any options like use local disks or specify screen resolution etc for remote session - BUT
if you run THIS in the cmd line MSTSC you get the old standard windowed RDP popup screen where you can enter all the options like previous releases.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
...W7 / W2K3 server etc used to allow allow in fact up to 4 images on a SINGLE CPU. This older license hasn't been changed. W8 system HAS though.


From the Windows Server 2003 EULA, I don't think that 4 images on a single cpu was meant by:

a. Installation, Server Software. You may install only one copy of Server Software on a single Server,
even if multiple copies of Server Software (for example, 32-bit and 64-bit versions) are included in the
Software. Separate component parts of the Server Software may not be used on more than one
Server. An additional license is required if you install another copy of the Server Software on the
same Server (whether in a separate partition, by using server emulation software, or otherwise) or to
install or run a copy of the Server Software on a different Server (for example, a Server employed for
backup or fail-over support).
b. Processor Rights. You may use Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, with up to four
CPUs of the Server at any one time, or Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, with up
to eight CPUs of the Server at any one time.

It allowed the single copy of server software to run on multiprocessor hardware, in the time before processors with multiple cores were commonplace.

With Windows 7 Ultimate it was still one copy for one user on one computer (a VM counted as a separate computer) with up to 2 processors:

License Model. The software is licensed on a per copy per computer basis. A computer is a
physical hardware system with an internal storage device capable of running the software. A
hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate computer.
2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the software on one computer. That
computer is the “licensed computer.”
b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed
computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
software on any other computer...

...d. Use with Virtualization Technologies. Instead of using the software directly on the licensed computer, you may install and use the software within only one virtual (or otherwise emulated)
hardware system on the licensed computer...

...g. Remote Access Technologies. You may access and use the software installed on the licensed
computer remotely from another device using remote access technologies as follows.
· Remote Desktop. The single primary user of the licensed computer may access a session
from any other device using Remote Desktop or similar technologies. A “session” means the
experience of interacting with the software, directly or indirectly, through any combination of
input, output and display peripherals. Other users may access a session from any device
using these technologies, if the remote device is separately licensed to run the software.
· Other Access Technologies. You may use Remote Assistance or similar technologies to share
an active session...

So it is still no-go to install copies of windows systems on several VMs unless each copy is separately licensed. It reiterates Remote Desktop use in terms of "a session", but does mention "other users" so the terminology is imprecise. The Vista license is similar to that of Windows 7 and only in the XP Professional EULA is the number of connections by remote desktop etc., undefined and mentions "two or more" connections:

NetMeeting/Remote Assistance/Remote Desktop Features. The Product contains NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop technologies that enable the Product or other applications installed on the Workstation Computer to be used remotely between two or more computers, even if the Product or application is installed on only one Workstation Computer. You may use NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop with all Microsoft products; provided however, use of these technologies with certain Microsoft products may require an additional license. For Microsoft and non-Microsoft products, you should consult the license agreement accompanying the applicable product or contact the applicable licensor to determine whether use of NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, or Remote Desktop is permitted without an additional license.

Of course, XP had no great exposure to Virtual Machine technology in the days when the EULA was drawn up, so there was no mention of what defined a "computer" down to partition or virtual disk level:

You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Product on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer"). The Product may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on any single Workstation Computer. You may permit a maximum of ten (10) computers or other electronic devices (each a "Device") to connect to the Workstation Computer to utilize the services of the Product solely for File and Print services, Internet Information Services, and remote access (including connection sharing and telephony services). The ten connection maximum includes any indirect connections made through "multiplexing" or other software or hardware which pools or aggregates connections. Except as otherwise permitted by the NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop features described below, you may not use the Product to permit any Device to use, access, display or run other executable software residing on the Workstation Computer, nor may you permit any Device to use, access, display, or run the Product or Product's user interface, unless the Device has a separate license for the Product.

So the OP was right that in the past XP was allowed to have multiple RDP's allowed concurrently, and it is disallowed now on more recent Windows OSs. It has long been the case that the "Home editions" came with Terminal server, but not client Terminal Services functionality for the basic purpose of remote assistance, for which MSTSC.exe is to be found on the Professional or Ultimate versions.

In short, multiple connections via Remote Desktop have not been permitted explicitly since XP. Third Party remote solutions exist that permit multiple connections, but whether that is permitted by the Windows 8 EULA is not clear, since Third Party Remote Software solutions are not mentioned in the EULA.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
You can try using logmein, GoSupportNow, GoToMyPC etc. remote support tools for establishing remote desktop connection to Windows 8 PC.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8
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    NA
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    Na
Hi there.

I think if you read the EULA it states that only ONE copy of windows may be installed on a machine - in the case of a Virtual machine this is somewhat a "moot point" as the machine is only considered as "installed" when it's powered on. Until then it's just a VHD (or simply a piece of data). It's like having a Windows DVD and copying it several times to different directories --quite legal as it hasn't been installed or a load of backup system images.

Now the VM needs to be activated after it's powered on the first time - but an identical CLONE is perfectly legal - so long as it's not running concurrently. If this were NOT allowed you could then presumably say the same thing about restoring a Windows backup image which we all know is 100% legal and you are encouraged to take backups in any case.

Using a CLONED VM is only like using a Backup image - PROVIDED ONLY ONE runs at a time. Sometimes you want to demo stuff for people - well what's the difference in using it on a VM which you can then wipe clean for the next class or restoring a copy of Windows on your host machine.

It's a lot more convenient when demoing or teaching functions for students or even to perform a lot of system testing to bring up a fresh copy of the VM than keep restoring the HOST - and I can't see anything against the EULA in working like this --you are only running ONE VM at a time in this case.

The OP is perfectly allowed to set up different VM's for his users to log on to provided ONLY ONE is active at the time and the VM is a copy of the windows system which is licensed or activated.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
So the idea is to clone an activated VM for a single use after which it is deleted, and not different VMs, which would break the EULA? I have to say that this is not in keeping with the OPs request. It seems unwieldy, having to clone multi GB VHDs regularly, just to delete them after a single use.

It is a bit like the kiosk systems, or the old XP and Vista "Steady State" systems which were axed in 2010. Windows 7 was not included but Microsoft published a document to enable a Windows 7 Steady State using group policy settings: Download Group Policy Settings for Creating a Steady State from Official Microsoft Download Center These just restore the system to a constant predefined state at each reboot, not saving any changes made during the session.

Windows Embedded Standard 7 Sp1 and Windows Embedded Standard 8 Industry have Kiosk templates, I think.

I would stick to using VNC in one of its many versions if you want multiple VNC clients accessing a single VNC server on a Windows 8 machine at any time. That way it is several mouse and keyboard and monitors attached to a single installation over a network. The VNC clients can be on various OS hosts, including Windows, Linux and OSX. The Windows 8 software is running on a single PC, with a single user logged on, in a single session, with input from several remote keyboards etc., displayed on remote monitors. Unlike Remote Desktop, VNC does not log off the user on the host PC. TightVNC is Free, and open source, others, like RealVNC can be purchased and offer support.

You could demo windows 8.1 to classes worldwide without breaking the EULA.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
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