Running Remote Desktop client as a different user Runas

Question

Goal

I want to run Microsoft RemoteDesktop application as another user, but I'm experiencing problems with not being able to logon with the Microsoft account. Is there any workaround I can apply to get it working?

Setup

Install the remote desktop client RemoteDesktop_1.2.4066.0_x64.msi on the machine (select the option to install for all users)

Update RemoteDesktop client to latest version (click on … top right and select update available)

Create a second user account:

Go Offline : Disconnect from the internet

Settings → Accounts → Other users ->Add account

Create user test1/test1 (add answers to secret questions)

Go Online again: Re-connect the internet

Runas

Launch cmd

Run remote desktop client as another user:

runas /user:test1 "C:\Program Files\Remote Desktop\msrdcw.exe"

Enter the password: test1

Click Subscribe and observe:

Something went wrong

System.Windows.Documents.Run[]

Error code: 0x80070520

Activity ID: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

Timestamp (UTC): 2023-06-16T09:35:44.145Z

Answer 1

Hello Rynier,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

The error code 0x80070520 you're encountering when trying to run the Microsoft RemoteDesktop application as another user indicates a problem with the user account or authentication. This error commonly occurs when trying to log in with a Microsoft account that is not properly set up or is experiencing authentication issues. Here are a few workarounds you can try to get it working:

1. Use a local user account: Instead of using a Microsoft account, create a local user account on the machine and try running the RemoteDesktop application with that account. This avoids potential authentication issues related to Microsoft accounts.
2. Verify Microsoft account settings: If you still prefer to use a Microsoft account, ensure that the account is properly set up and configured. Make sure the account has been fully activated, the password is correct, and there are no issues with the account itself. You can try logging in with the Microsoft account directly to verify its functionality.
3. Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus: In some cases, firewalls or antivirus programs might block the necessary network connections for the RemoteDesktop application. Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall or any third-party antivirus software and try running the application again. If it works, you can create appropriate firewall or antivirus rules to allow the RemoteDesktop application to communicate.
4. Check for updates: Ensure that your operating system, specifically Windows, is up to date with the latest patches and updates. This helps ensure compatibility and resolve any known issues related to the RemoteDesktop application.
5. Run Remote Desktop as administrator: Right-click on the RemoteDesktop application and select "Run as administrator" to ensure that it has the necessary permissions to access network resources and perform the required actions.
6. Reinstall the RemoteDesktop application: If none of the above workarounds solve the issue, try uninstalling the RemoteDesktop application and reinstalling it using the latest version available from the official Microsoft website. This can help resolve any installation or configuration issues that may be causing the error.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

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Answer 2

Log into windows on that computer once as the user you are trying to do a run as then it will work.