Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac dual monitor issue with extra click needed

Question

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but here goes:

I have been running Microsoft Remote Desktop on my Mac with dual monitors for years, remoting into a work PC running Windows 10. In the remote settings, I have "Use all monitors" and "Fit session into window" enabled. Both screens work as expected, except for when I want to interact with the other monitor, it requires an extra initial click to activate that display before I can select something or move a window, for example. Once that display is "active", it then takes another initial click somewhere on the other screen before I can again grab a window or otherwise interact with that side. I can drag a window from one screen to the other, but then need to click again on that window to "activate" the screen before I can click to move it again.

It seems like a minor issue, but can be very annoying when trying to work quickly and moving back and forth between screens. That extra click to swap between screens can drive you a little nuts.

I'm currently running Mac OS Sonoma 14.6.1, but it has been an issue for at least the last few major Mac OS versions. I suspect it has something to do with the introduction of "Spaces" and the option for "Displays have separate Spaces". I have tried with and without this option enabled, but ran into the same issue.

I have tried on multiple Macs, and tried remoting into different Windows 10 PCs. They all have this issue. Remoting in from a Windows 10 PC to another Windows 10 PC does NOT have this problem, however. It seems isolated to Mac OS. I have also tried upgrading Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac to the new Windows App, but it has the same issue.

Any ideas?

*** Moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Internet and connectivity ***

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community forum.

The issues you describe may be caused by compatibility or synchronization issues between remote desktop clients and multi-monitor configurations. You can try the following steps to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Ensure that your network connection is stable and has enough bandwidth to support remote desktop sessions.
2. After this occurs, try closing and reopening the Remote Desktop session.
3. Try adjusting Mission Control in your Mac system preferences. Disable the "Displays have separate Spaces" option to see if this can be alleviated.
4. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Remote Desktop client from the Mac App Store.

I hope this helps. If you have any follow-up questions, please contact us.

Best regards

Jacen

Answer 2

I also have the same problem. This time, with Windows APP. This isn't a problem if you are using a windows PC. It's counterproductive since I still use my may Mac for personal and other stuffs and the two additional monitors for work. I decided to shift to Mac because of the new Mac Mini M4, but it isn't working as expected. Please sort that out. It's a very important feature.

Answer 3

Hi James,

Were you able to sort out the monitor issue you are having in Windows App? If yes, what did you do? Thank you very much.

Answer 4

TL/DR: This is seems to be a bug in the Microsoft RDP client on MacOS X, but it is unlikely to get fixed any time soon (if at all)

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I have the same issue - and yes, it can be very frustrating to have to click and then click again when moving the cursor between monitors.

This bug has been in the MacOS RDP client for years (even in the Beta versions) - in fact I don't think I recall a version where this bug was not there. My current setup is with MacOS 13.7.1 and MS RDP client 10.9.10 (2327), with the server being Windows 11 (23H2, OS Build 22631.4460).

Additional info: I don't have "Display have Separate Spaces" enabled on MacOS, and have installed and reinstalled various versions of the MS RDP client. The client and the server are on the same local network (i.e. plenty of bandwidth and sub-ms latency).

Regards,

I.