> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strongdm.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strongdm.com/users/connect/connect-rdp.md). # Connect to RDP Resources This article provides a general overview of how to connect to RDP resources using the StrongDM Desktop application. ### Limitations For Windows users, StrongDM supports the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection client (MSTSC) that comes bundled with Windows, but may not fully support other RDP clients such as the Remote Desktop app on the Windows Store. Clients on Windows 11 version 24H2 must be on a build version of 26100.3323 (February 25, 2025) or higher, due to a temporary incompatibility between MSTSC and StrongDM in prior build versions that was fixed in a Microsoft update. ### Steps 1. Open StrongDM Desktop or your command line and log in to StrongDM. 2. Click on the RDP resource name in your StrongDM Desktop app, or execute `sdm connect [servername]` at the command line. 3. Open your RDP client. 4. In the **PC Name** field (or equivalent) in your RDP client, enter `localhost:PORT`, replacing `PORT` with the port assigned to your RDP server in the StrongDM client. 5. Under **User Account** field (or equivalent), enter any string. This is purely to get past client-side validation that requires something to be in the field. It is not used in the authentication process. 6. Save your connection, and then connect. ### Troubleshooting * **Finding Replay logs**: Because Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) replays are binary objects, and not typical logs, they must be kept in object storage systems (such as AWS S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage, and so forth) and not in logging systems (such as AWS Cloudwatch, Azure Monitor, Splunk, and so forth) to ensure they don't get corrupted. * **Smart Cards**: Smart card sharing must be disabled on the RDP client to allow StrongDM to negotiate the proper authentication. * **Advanced RDP Configuration**: Only the most minimal of RDP settings are supported for RDP via StrongDM. Trying to use advanced options or configurations may prevent replays from being rendered and played. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.strongdm.com/users/connect/connect-rdp.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.