Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0.1 lets you connect from your Macintosh computer to a Windows-based computer or to multiple Windows-based computers at the same time. After you have connected, you can work with applications and files on the Windows-based computer. Use RDC (Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2) This free download runs natively on both Intel-based and PowerPC-based Macs Use One Mac, unlimited Windows.

I am attempting a Remote Desktop Session. It will be from OSX 10.8.4 to Windows Server 2012 DataCenter R2(Build 9431).

• I am using 2.1.1 Remote Desktop client for Mac.
• I have disabled Network Level Auth, although in 2008R2 it works fine.
• I have set 'always Connect, Even if Auth Fails on the Client.
• MSTSC.EVE bin is able to connect to the machine.
• Other window machines are able to connect fine.

Daniel BLightly SaltedLightly Salted

4 Answers

Watch out - the old OS X Microsoft Remote Desktop (version 2.1.1) that comes with Mac Microsoft Office 2011 no longer works with Windows 2012 R2 (it does work with plain old Windows 2012). For me it fails with the following error message:

Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer that you want to connect to.

A (regular) Windows 2012 Remote Desktop client doesn't have this problem.

(Brief aside - Microsoft have a little note that says the 2.1.1 client is not supported on OS X v10.7 or later. Who knew and why did it make me report all those crashes?)

The good news is that the new OS X Microsoft Remote Desktop 8.0.24091 (Mac App store only though - grr) does work with Windows 2012 R2 . Why this information isn't listed on the What's New in 2012 R2 Remote Services page I don't know...

(If you wish to make the old client work you can follow the steps to get Mac RDP client 2.1.1 (110309) working or try the 2.1.2 unreleased build of the old client (please someone edit this answer))

Jeroen Wiert Pluimers

According to Microsoft's Download Center page, the Remote Desktop Connection client for Mac was last updated on 5/5/2011, over 2 years ago. As it says, 'Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac (version 2.1.1) is not intended for use with Mac OS X v10.7 (Lion) or later.'

Also note that that page does not list Windows Server 2012 at all under the 'System Requirements.'

I would suggest using a newer client (e.g. I use CoRD which supports OS X 10.5-10.8), as there may be unexpected behavior from using Microsoft's old software.

For those of you still using the old RDP application, doing the following helps:

Enable RDP security layer in Group Policy on the machine:

1. Verify that the firewall allows remote desktop connections with RDP(Port 3389)
2. Click Start>Run Type gpedid.msc and click 'OK'
3. The Group Policy Editor will open In the left hand side bar, expand Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>Remote Desktop Services>Remote Dekstop Session Host
4. Select Security Change Require use of specific security layer for remote desktop (RDP) connection' to Enabled and select RDP in the Options pane.
5. Change Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication to Disabled.
6. Close Group Policy Editor and reboot the machine for changes to take effect.

I don't know if this is an unsecured way of doing it but for my home network I did not mind changing the settings. I got the above from here.

I was using the new RDP client and it was working well until a recent update happened and it lost all my connections. More annoyingly it does not store the connections I create and shows a 'new features popup' every time I open the app though it is not new anymore. Until I fix this issue, I'll be using the old client.

I still have this exact same situation. The unreleased 2.1.2 version of RDC for OS X has become hard to find apart from some extremely sketchy looking sites, and somehow CoRD doesn't work at all for me, printing 'Connection reset by peer' to the command line. The solution was Royal TSX version 2.2.4, which is free for my limited needs. Apparently the future 3.0 version will also drop support for pre-10.9 versions of OS X but the current version should remain available.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged remote-desktoposx-mountain-lionwindows-server-2012-r2 or ask your own question.

I administer a number of Windows machines, and am trying to find a really good application to remote desktop in to them from my Mac. I've tried CoRD, and I really like its library approach to saved sessions (as opposed to Microsoft's file based approach), and tabbed sessions are great when working on a bunch of machines. Unfortunately, it's just too buggy for serious use, and given that it averages less than 2 releases a year, I have little hope that that will change. Microsoft's official client is very bare bones and doesn't support connecting on non-standard ports (which I need).

Is there a remote desktop client for Mac out there that's both fully featured and not buggy?

Edit: Apparently the Microsoft doc I read that states that the Microsoft RDC client can't be used on non-standard ports is out of date.

Pekka 웃Warren PenaWarren Pena

15 Answers

Use RDC (Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2)
This free download runs natively on both Intel-based and PowerPC-based Macs

Use One Mac, unlimited Windows.

Am1rr3zA

Remote Desktop Connection Client For Mac

Am1rr3zA

New Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 supposed to be best RDP client for Mac.Works super smooth btw.

Check out Royal TSX if you're after a full featured connections manager that can do RDP as well as other protocols like, VNC, SSH, Telnet, etc.

Disclaimer: I'm the developer of the mentioned product.

I use a program called CoRD.

It's worked well for me without fussing with any configuration files or properties.

It's been a while since I tried any alternatives, so I'll give RDC another try.I don't remember why I rejected it before.

kenorbChris QuenelleChris Quenelle

In my experienced opinion, CoRD and Jump Desktop are the best RDP clients for Mac. CoRD is more for those that know what they're doing - it's simple, stable, fast and reliable. Jump Desktop however is for those that are new to Remote Desktop Connections and want something that makes things easy. It's easily the slickest RDP client for Mac too and looks great. There's a useful extensive review of the best RDP clients for Mac here: http://machow2.com/rdp-for-mac/

Reading this answer I learned about Royal TSX and after a few hours I'm happy with it.

In addition to RDP it has a terminal plugin for SSH/Telnet connections with X forwarding. Mac OS terminal can do the same, but connection documents are handy.

The terminal plugin also allows COM port use. I have not tested this but I hope that works OK because I have not found a good terminal program for plain COM port. I still use minicom.

Licensing terms are generous enough that in my case I can use it for free but I may consider purchasing to encourage the maintenance.

The best RDP client for OSX (whether free or not) is Thinomenon RDC. It supports audio, printing, scanning, and most importantly, RemoteApp/RAIL.

Alex

If you are willing to spend some money, there is LogMeIn, which I have used for my home Macs with great success. On the free side, we used to use 'Chicken of the VNC' but decided to go with Microsoft's official client for reasons unknown to me. Six of one half dozen of the other, if you ask me. Frankly, the VNC market is pretty banal.

Philip ReganPhilip Regan

try Teamviewer I am not sure about the multiple tabs for easy switch never had a chance to test it. Also you can set it for lan incoming connection so you can connect via a lan rather than internet.You can create a free account and add all machines to it, So you can even see which system is on and connect with one click

You may want to try iTAP.

It seems it does support NLA per the specs. (I only tested TSG, which works fine).

If you come from CoRD, you will find the overall frame quite basic, but the emulation itself seems to work pretty well (I normally work in full screen mode and switch windows with the top menu).

PepPep

Chrome Remote Desktop is cross-platform. 'Provide remote assistance to Windows, Mac and Linux users, or access your Windows (XP and above) and Mac (OS X 10.6 and above) desktops at any time, all from the Chrome browser on virtually any device, including Chromebooks.'

Used LogMeIn til they yanked free utility, Chrome RD works almost as well, but I can't reboot a computer without losing connection completely. It must then be reconnected locally - AHRRRG.

So, still looking for cross-plat solution, too.

Since updating my iMac to El Capitan 10.11.4, CORD Version 0.5.7 (5701) is no longer crashing.

I've been using it since Tiger. It began crashing intermittently with OSX Yosemite, then would always crash on quitting with El Capitan before 10.11.4, and often crash on changing screen resolution. After 2 days of use, I have no longer seen a crash with OSX 10.11.4.

Microsoft now has a beta for yet another new RDP client: Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac v8.2.20

It still has a variety of problems, but it at least looks more like a MacOSX application.

The best RDP client for Mac is Thinomenon.

Remote Desktop Connection Client For Mac

I can even run .rdp files from remote apps and work only the application does not show the entire desktop

AllanAm1rr3zAPierre WateletPierre Watelet

You must log in to answer this question.

Remote Desktop Connection For Mac

protected by Community♦Jul 10 '17 at 9:30

Thank you for your interest in this question. Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?

Remote Desktop Connection Mac Download

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged macossoftware-recommendationwindowsremote-desktop .