By default, Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows only one session per user. However, in some cases, you might need to enable multiple RDP sessions for a single user, especially in a development or testing environment. This guide will show you how to modify Windows settings to allow multiple RDP sessions for a single user.

Method 1: Modify the Windows Registry

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server
  3. Locate the fSingleSessionPerUser key.
  4. Double-click it and change the value from 1 to 0.
  5. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Restart the Remote Desktop Services

  1. Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Scroll down and find Remote Desktop Services.
  3. Right-click and choose Restart.

Now, multiple RDP sessions should be enabled for a single user.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor (For Pro and Enterprise Versions)

Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > 
Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections
  3. Find Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop session.
  4. Double-click it, set it to Disabled, and click OK.

Step 2: Apply the Changes

Run the following command in the Command Prompt to apply the changes:

gpupdate /force

Restart your computer to ensure the settings take effect.

Method 3: Using RDP Wrapper Library (Third-Party Solution)

If you are using Windows Home or another version where Group Policy and Registry edits don’t work, you can use RDP Wrapper Library:

Step 1: Download RDP Wrapper

  1. Download RDP Wrapper from a trusted source.
  2. Extract the files and run install.bat as an administrator.

Step 2: Enable Multiple Sessions

  1. Run RDPConf.exe and check if Listener State is Listening.
  2. Adjust settings as needed to allow multiple sessions.

Conclusion

Enabling multiple RDP sessions for a single user can be done through registry modifications, Group Policy Editor, or third-party tools like RDP Wrapper. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your Windows version and security requirements.