Launching remote desktop from the command line in Windows XP Pro

by Greg Shultz | Dec 13, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Greg Shultz, desktop, remote desktop, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, remote desktop screen, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Remote desktop allows you to configure and connect to another computer running Windows XP Pro. Here's what you need to know about the remote desktop connection dialog box, including a few parameters you're most likely to encounter.

The Windows XP remote desktop connection dialog box provides you with everything that you need to configure and connect to another computer running Windows XP Pro. You can use the Save As button on the Connection Settings panel to save all your connection settings as an RDP file. Then, you can launch and connect to a remote computer simply by double-clicking the RDP file.

You can also script a remote desktop connection, as Windows XP's remote desktop connection has an executable file that can accept command line parameters and be run from a batch file. The remote desktop connection executable file is MSTSC.EXE, and the following are some of the most common parameters:

• /v:<computername>--specifies the name of the computer to connect to.
• /f--starts the connection in a full screen.
• /w:<width>--specifies the width of the remote desktop screen.
• /h:<height>--specifies the height of the remote desktop screen.

For example, to remotely connect to a computer named Kaltec in a 640 x 480 remote desktop screen, you would use the following command:

mstsc /v: Kaltec /w:640 /h:480

You can type this command line in the Run dialog box, as well as use it in a batch file.

Note: This tip applies only to Windows XP Professional.

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You're missing a few switches paulz1 | 12/13/06

/? Jayanth | 12/14/06

for 2000 server we can make it cokesrini@... | 12/14/06

What Tool andrew@... | 12/14/06

Tool drunkenjedi | 12/14/06

/console to a Win2k server? edglock21 | 12/14/06

/console to a Win2k server? limoges@... | 12/14/06

Good to know edglock21 | 12/14/06

Will not work... morristl@... | 12/14/06

Console is being replaced john.sanders@... | 05/12/09

Another MS remote admin tool many overlook bulk@... | 12/18/06

remote desktop tool Skimatik | 12/14/06

Another switch that can be used tom@... | 12/14/06

Batch File IT_Juggler | 12/14/06

Works under Vista ... nenadandrejevic | 12/18/06

Server is limited to XP Pro (+others), Client is not gdunger | 12/14/06

Not just XP Pro philthee | 12/14/06

but not the other way..... morristl@... | 12/14/06

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