In Windows Server 2008 R2, you can use Server Manager to install the RD Session Host role service. For more information about other ways to install the RD Session Host role service, including by using the command-line tool servermanagercmd.exe, see the Remote Desktop Services page on the Windows Server 2008 R2 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=138055).

Use the following procedure to install the RD Session Host role service by using Server Manager if Remote Desktop Services is not already installed on the server. If Remote Desktop Services is already installed on the server, see Install the Remote Desktop Session Host role service (when Remote Desktop Services is already installed).

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, on the RD Session Host server that you plan to configure, is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

Important

The installation of the RD Session Host role service requires the computer to be restarted.

To install the Remote Desktop Session Host role service

  1. Open Server Manager. To open Server Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Server Manager.

  2. In the left pane, right-click Roles, and then click Add Roles.

  3. In the Add Roles Wizard, on the Before You Begin page, click Next.

  4. On the Select Server Roles page, under Roles, select the Remote Desktop Services check box.

    Note

    If Remote Desktop Services is already installed on the server, the Remote Desktop Services check box will be selected and dimmed, and followed by “(Installed).”

  5. Click Next.

  6. On the Remote Desktop Services page, click Next.

  7. On the Select Role Services page, select the Remote Desktop Session Host check box, and then click Next.

    Note

    If you are installing the RD Session Host role service on a domain controller, you will receive a warning message because installing the RD Session Host role service on a domain controller is not recommended. For more information, see Installing RD Session Host on a Domain Controller.

  8. On the Uninstall and Reinstall Applications for Compatibility page, click Next.

  9. On the Specify Authentication Method for Remote Desktop Session Host page, select the appropriate authentication method for the RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information about authentication methods, see Configure the Network Level Authentication Setting for an RD Session Host Server.

  10. On the Specify Licensing Mode page, select the appropriate licensing mode for the RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information about licensing modes, see Specify the Remote Desktop Licensing Mode.

  11. On the Select User Groups Allowed Access To This Remote Desktop Session Host Server page, add the users or user groups that you want to be able to remotely connect to this RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group.

  12. On the Configure Client Experience page, select the functionality that you want to be available to remote clients that are connected by using this RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Client Experience on an RD Session Host Server.

  13. On the Confirm Installation Selections page, verify that the RD Session Host role service will be installed, and then click Install.

  14. On the Installation Progress page, installation progress will be noted.

  15. On the Installation Results page, you are prompted to restart the server to finish the installation process. Click Close, and then in the Add Role Services window, click Yes to restart the server.

  16. If you are prompted that other programs are still running, do either of the following:

    • To close the programs manually and restart the server later, click Cancel.

    • To automatically close the programs and restart the server, click Restart now.

  17. After the server restarts and you log on to the computer, the remaining steps of the installation will finish. When the Installation Results page appears, confirm that the installation of RD Session Host succeeded.

    You can also confirm that RD Session Host is installed by following these steps:

    1. Start Server Manager.

    2. Under Roles Summary, click Remote Desktop Services.

    3. Under System Services, confirm that the status for Remote Desktop Services is Running.

    4. Under Role Services, confirm that the status for Remote Desktop Session Host is Installed.

Install the Remote Desktop Session Host role service (when Remote Desktop Services is already installed)

Use the following procedure to install the RD Session Host role service when Remote Desktop Services is already installed on the server.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, on the RD Session Host server that you plan to configure, is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

Important

The installation of the RD Session Host role service requires the computer to be restarted.

To install the Remote Desktop Session Host role service when Remote Desktop Services is already installed

  1. Open Server Manager. To open Server Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Server Manager.

  2. In the left pane, expand Roles.

  3. Right-click Remote Desktop Services, and then click Add Role Services.

  4. On the Select Role Services page, select the Remote Desktop Session Host check box, and then click Next.

    Note

    If you are installing the RD Session Host role service on a domain controller, you will receive a warning message because installing the RD Session Host role service on a domain controller is not recommended. For more information, see Installing RD Session Host on a Domain Controller.

  5. On the Uninstall and Reinstall Applications for Compatibility page, click Next.

  6. On the Specify Authentication Method for Remote Desktop Session Host page, select the appropriate authentication method for the RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information about authentication methods, see Configure the Network Level Authentication Setting for an RD Session Host Server.

  7. On the Specify Licensing Mode page, select the appropriate licensing mode for the RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information about licensing modes, see Specify the Remote Desktop Licensing Mode.

  8. On the Select User Groups Allowed Access To This Remote Desktop Session Host page, add the users or user groups that you want to be able to remotely connect to this RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group.

  9. On the Configure Client Experience page, select the functionality that you want to be available to remote clients that are connected by using this RD Session Host server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Client Experience on an RD Session Host Server.

  10. On the Confirm Installation Selections page, verify that the RD Session Host role service will be installed, and then click Install.

  11. On the Installation Progress page, installation progress will be noted.

  12. On the Installation Results page, you are prompted to restart the server to finish the installation process. Click Close, and then in the Add Role Services window, click Yes to restart the server.

  13. If you are prompted that other programs are still running, do either of the following:

    • To close the programs manually and restart the server later, click Cancel.

    • To automatically close the programs and restart the server, click Restart now.

  14. After the server restarts and you log on to the computer, the remaining steps of the installation will finish. When the Installation Results page appears, confirm that the installation of RD Session Host succeeded.

    You can also confirm that RD Session Host is installed by following these steps:

    1. Start Server Manager.

    2. Under Roles Summary, click Remote Desktop Services.

    3. Under System Services, confirm that the status for Remote Desktop Services is Running.

    4. Under Role Services, confirm that the status for Remote Desktop Session Host is Installed.

Additional references

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