RDP sessions
Resolution, scaling, full screen, redirections, gateway and RemoteApp – every option of an RDP connection.
How embedding works
For every RDP session, NEO RDP Manager starts Windows' Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) and embeds its window in the tab. So you get exactly the behaviour, compatibility and security features of mstsc – just in tabs and with stored options per connection.
The password comes encrypted from the vault and sits in the Windows Credential Manager (TERMSRV/host) only while the connection is being set up; afterwards the app removes the entry again. It never ends up in .rdp files or logs.
Display & resolution
New connections use the global display from Settings → Remote desktop – global display. If you untick “Use global display settings” in the form, the connection gets values of its own:
| Resolution | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Fit to window (dynamic) | The remote resolution follows the size of the tab – also when you enlarge the window or hide the list. |
| Fixed resolution, scaled (smart size) | A fixed remote resolution (width × height), scaled locally to the tab size. |
| Fixed resolution | A fixed width × height without scaling, with scroll bars if needed. |
| Full screen | The session starts straight in local full screen. |
| All monitors | The session spans every monitor. |
Choose a colour depth between 8 and 32 bits; the default is 32 bits.
Scaling
The scale button in the control bar switches size adjustment of a running session on and off – in the panel, in full screen and in detached windows. It uses mstsc's “smart sizing” for this. If mstsc doesn't allow it yet during sign-in, the app reconnects once with the desired setting. In full screen, scaling is on automatically and restored when you return.
Full screen, detach, focus
- Full screen (F11 or button): the session fills the screen; move the mouse to the top edge and a bar with every control slides in. Back via the button, F11 or Esc.
- Open in a window of its own: the session moves into a separate window, for example on a second monitor, and can be docked back at any time.
- Focus mode (Ctrl+B): hides the connection list – the dynamic resolution grows along.
Redirections & devices
- Clipboard (on by default), drives, printers, smart cards, COM ports, plug-and-play devices and microphone (audio capture).
- Audio playback: on this computer, on the remote computer or don't play; quality dynamic, medium or high.
- Windows key combinations (e.g. Alt+Tab): local, always to the remote or only to the remote in full screen (default).
Performance & appearance
Desktop background, themes, font smoothing, desktop composition, menu animations, window contents while dragging and bitmap caching can be switched individually. Connection speed is set to “detect automatically”; for slow links pick a matching profile such as “low-speed broadband” or “satellite”.
Security & session
- Network Level Authentication (CredSSP) – on by default; you sign in before a session is created on the server.
- Ignore certificate errors – meant only for test environments with self-signed certificates.
- Connect to console (/admin) – connects to the console/administrative session. For a single start, use “connect with options” in the context menu.
- Reconnect automatically – after brief network drops, mstsc tries to restore the session by itself.
Remote Desktop Gateway
Enter the gateway server and choose its usage: don't use, always use or bypass for local addresses. For gateway sign-in choose between “same as connection”, own credentials (gateway user, domain, password) and smart card. Separate gateway passwords are stored encrypted in the vault and also reach the Credential Manager only briefly.
Start program & RemoteApp
- Start a program at sign-in with a working directory – only this program starts instead of the desktop.
- RemoteApp program with arguments – e.g.
||notepador the alias of a published app. - Load balance info – for session host farms behind a connection broker.
Launch method
By default the app starts mstsc with /v:host and hands over the options briefly through Documents\Default.rdp, which it restores bit for bit afterwards. That keeps away the “Unknown remote connection” warning Windows shows for unsigned .rdp files. Under Settings → Launch method you can switch to “classic via .rdp file”. Background: RDP without a security warning.
Need a connection as an .rdp file for someone else? Context menu → “Save as .rdp file …” (without password).