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RDP Session randomly switches displys after being minimized

Erik 26 Reputation points
Mar 9, 2021, 8:49 PM

I RDP from a Windows 10 Dell Laptop to my machine in my workplace. I have a second display (same resolution, 1920x1080) hooked up. This is my secondary display. It is a regular occurrence that when I minimize the RDP session then click on it in the task bar that it will jump back from the secondary display (where it should be) to the primary display (the laptop's native monitor).

I am RDP'ing to a single display host in my workplace. I have been doing this for years, and have never had this problem before with other hardware, it seems to be new to either this laptop or to a Window's update. Dell says it's a Windows problem, and it seems that others have had similar issues. However, I can't find an official Microsoft response or solution to this particular manifestation of this issue.

I have tried minimizing, maximizing, resizing, and all sorts of permutations. I have ensured that I've dragged all the connection windows to the second monitor before clicking the various "continue" and "connect" buttons. I've done everything except modify the registry, as I'm hoping that hard coding the location of the run is not necessary.

Note also that this only happens with RDP. Office apps, spotify, browsers, task manager, you name it, it doesn't forget which display it's supposed to be on. Only RDP.

Thanks much in advance!

Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop
A Microsoft app that connects remotely to computers and to virtual apps and desktops.
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  1. Justin 21 Reputation points
    Dec 20, 2021, 6:53 PM

    Having the same issue. Windows 10 version 21H1, Build 19043.1415. I use my second monitor to RDP to work. Every time I shrink then restore the tab it changes from monitor 2 to monitor 1. It should restore to the same window like every other application.

    If you have an easy way for me to record both screens, I'll be happy to show you, but I have a feeling it's easy to reproduce.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Justin 21 Reputation points
    Dec 20, 2021, 7:20 PM

    Move RDP to second windows, click close, when you reconnect hopefully will be better!

    2 people found this answer helpful.

  3. Grace HE 1,241 Reputation points
    Mar 12, 2021, 7:23 AM

    Hi,

    Thank you for the detailed information. Here are some suggestions.

    please try edit the group policy on the remote client.
    local group policy editor->computer configuration->administrative templates->windows conmponents->remote desktop services->remote desktop session host->remote session environment
    77096-image.png

    Thank you for your feedback. This solution may be basicly applied in the senario you mentioned above. Since the issue you encounter is complex, it is highly recommended that a case should be opened and you need more official help.

    Global Customer Service phone numbers (microsoft.com)
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/global-customer-service-phone-numbers-c0389ade-5640-e588-8b0e-28de8afeb3f2

    ---If the suggestions above are helpful, please ACCEPT ANSWER. Really appreciate. This will also help others with similar issue to find this post quickly. ---

    1 person found this answer helpful.

  4. Erik 26 Reputation points
    May 13, 2021, 5:44 PM

    Bump. I cannot possibly be the only one with this problem. And this is pretty obviously a bug, given the random nature of the switching screens. Thanks much.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

  5. Carl Schick 5 Reputation points
    Feb 8, 2023, 10:03 PM

    This worked for me...

    -- Before you connect to the remote computer, move the Remote Desktop Connection window to the monitor you'd like it to stay in.

    -- Connect to the remote computer

    -- Minimize / maximize and the window should stay on the correct monitor

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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