Remote Desktop RDP logs out user after disconnect - only since latest Updates

Question

I log in to a few different servers using RDP (for a million years) and it's just perfect and quick - on my local network. Client is Win 10. Servers are Win2008 R2 and 2019. I just simply login to the Administrator account and run a bunch of desktop apps that I just want to continue to run. i.e. VMWare Workstation. I know, I know. But that's the simplest way I like to run. From the latest Win updates, I 'think' the fix for the Trickbot malware has screwed this simple setup: https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2020/10/12/trickbot-disrupted/ It look me a good number of hours to even diagnose what was going on - as these are critical VMs running and they would just quit (yet the underlying server hadn't rebooted). So, after all the work of diagnosing the problem - it does seem that only now are the servers forcing the logoff of the session when the session is closed. I've searched alot and not seen many people complaining about this (yet). There are lots of older posts. I'm managed to fix the problem for the 2008 R2 server. The fix was simple and hasn't failed yet: https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2122517-log-out-rdp-disconnected-users Yes, I have resorted to TeamViewer - but I just prefer RDP and it's the quickest and nicest. All the suggested fixes for 2012 and above have not worked for 2019. Reg key, GPO, local security settings and I just can't get it back to how it was (forever)... Any hints would be appreciated. I tried all the methods via a user account - but same problem.

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**Edit. Hopefully not speaking too soon. I think I've found the answer. All the instructions talk about adjusting the GPO 2012 and above. But they all only mention Computer Configuration path.

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remtoe Desktop Session Host\Session Time limits>

Set to Unlimited.

But, I thought I should maybe also set the User Configuration as well. Afterall, I do login as an Administrator. So I adjusted those keys in the same way. Anyway, so far, it seems to be holding OK.

Answer 1

Oh - right - of course. Well, I thought about that - but, in the end I really should get all the updates. I can only remember one other time (a few years back) that an MS update completely broke my server and I did indeed then remove that update (and waited for the eventual MS fix in later releases). But this new change must affect many people. I can't believe no one else is seeing (or complaining) about it. I know it's not the best security in the world to do what I'm doing, but it works. Until I found those posts, I was relying on TeamViewer (or worse VNC) to get back up and running. So, the thought (if I'm right) that Microsoft put this 'fix' into place for RDP to increase security, actually reduces security as 'we' try to find ways around it.

It really did take me a few hours to work out what was going on. Checking everything other than an MS update that breaks RDP (in my eyes as to how it always used to work forever).

Answer 2

Hello @ Ma-2936

I think set session time to unlimited under both Computer /Use configuration would work.

But I just wonder is it possible to remove that fix?

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Best Regards
Karlie

Answer 3

Thanks.

But I just wonder is it possible to remove that fix?

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you please expand on this question.

Answer 4

Problem has returned on the 2008 R2 server (and also the 2019 server). All week it was fine - login many times with RDP and it was fine - the session kept running. Rebooted the server today, and it's back to the old behaviour logging off the user. I even applied the same GPO as suggested for 2019 server to the 2008 R2 server. No good. I'm back to having to rely on TeamViewer - which is not as good as RDP.

Anyone with any thoughts on why or how to fix this?

Answer 5

It was my mistake. It was not an MS error. A lot of testing with different OSs led me to a 3rd party app that was updated at the same time. It has a new feature that does this logout automatically - but it should not have been set be default. Thanks for the suggestions.