How to Remove Credentials from Remote Desktop Connection Manager?

Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) is a useful tool designed to manage multiple remote desktop connections. It allows IT professionals and system administrators to quickly access a variety of remote machines in an organized manner, making remote administration and troubleshooting much more efficient. One of the important features of RDCMan is its ability to store login credentials for these remote connections, which eliminates the need to repeatedly enter usernames and passwords. However, there are times when it becomes necessary to remove credentials from RDCMan. This could be due to security concerns, changes in credentials, or simply because a connection is no longer needed.

In this article, we will discuss how to remove credentials from Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) and explore why it is important to keep these credentials up-to-date and secure.

Why You Should Remove Credentials

Before diving into the steps to remove credentials, let’s first discuss why you might need to do so:

1. Security Reasons: Storing old or unused credentials in RDCMan can present a security risk, especially if those credentials have been compromised. If someone gains unauthorized access to your RDCMan configuration file, they could potentially exploit the saved credentials to access remote machines.

2. Changes in Credentials: If the credentials you’ve been using for a remote connection have changed, it’s necessary to remove the outdated ones and input the new ones to avoid login errors.

3. Decommissioning Connections: If a machine or server you were connecting to is no longer in use or has been decommissioned, you may want to remove its credentials to keep your RDCMan configuration clean and manageable.

4. Avoid Clutter: As you add and remove connections over time, your RDCMan configuration can become cluttered with old or irrelevant entries. Regularly removing unnecessary credentials can help keep your workspace organized and improve efficiency.

Steps to Remove Credentials from RDCMan

Follow these steps to remove credentials from Remote Desktop Connection Manager:

Step 1: Open Remote Desktop Connection Manager

The first step is to launch RDCMan. If you don’t already have the program installed, you can download it from Microsoft’s official website. Once the program is installed, follow these instructions:

1. Locate the RDCMan shortcut (usually on your desktop or start menu).
2. Double-click to launch the application.

Step 2: Locate the Remote Connection You Want to Modify

Once RDCMan is open, you will see a list of your saved connections organized into a tree structure. Each entry represents a remote desktop session or a server group. You need to locate the connection for which you want to remove the stored credentials.

1. Expand the node (folder icon) for the server group or individual server.
2. Right-click the server or connection entry that you want to remove credentials for.
3. Click on the Properties option in the context menu.

Step 3: Remove Credentials from the Connection Properties

In the properties window, you’ll find several tabs, including General, Security, and RDP Settings. The tab you need to focus on is the Security tab, where the stored credentials are listed.

1. Once the properties window is open, click on the Security tab.
2. Under the Logon Credentials section, you’ll see fields for Username and Password.
3. To remove the credentials, simply delete the username and password from these fields.

Alternatively, if the option is available, you can click on the Clear button next to the saved username and password fields.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

After removing the credentials, click on the OK or Apply button to save your changes and close the properties window. The credentials for that specific connection will now be removed.

If you’ve removed credentials for multiple connections, make sure to save the RDCMan file by going to File > Save or pressing Ctrl + S. This will ensure that your changes are retained.

Step 5: Test the Connection (Optional)

To ensure the credentials were properly removed, you can attempt to connect to the remote machine again. When prompted for credentials, RDCMan should no longer auto-fill the username or password fields. You can then input the new credentials, if applicable, or simply leave the fields blank if you don’t wish to store them.

Additional Considerations When Managing Credentials in RDCMan

Removing credentials from RDCMan is not the only consideration when managing your remote desktop configurations. Here are a few additional tips and best practices:

1. Using Credential Manager for Windows:

For enhanced security, you can opt to use the Windows Credential Manager instead of storing credentials directly within RDCMan. The Windows Credential Manager allows you to store and manage login credentials for a variety of applications and services. This can be particularly useful if you use multiple remote desktop tools or want to maintain more granular control over your credentials.

To use the Credential Manager with RDCMan:

1. Open the Control Panel and search for Credential Manager.
2. Add your remote desktop credentials here and RDCMan will use these stored credentials when connecting to remote machines.
3. This removes the need to store credentials directly in RDCMan.

2. Password Management Tools:

In larger environments, password management tools (e.g., LastPass, KeePass, or Bitwarden) can be invaluable for securely storing and managing multiple credentials. These tools can provide an additional layer of security and ensure that credentials are updated regularly.

3. Regular Updates and Audits:

It’s a good practice to review and update your RDCMan configuration on a regular basis, especially in enterprise environments where credentials change frequently. Regular audits can help ensure that outdated or unnecessary credentials are removed, reducing the risk of security breaches.

4. Backup Your RDCMan Configuration:

RDCMan stores configuration data in a file (typically with an .rdg extension). If you have many connections and credentials stored, it is important to back up this file regularly. You can store it in a secure location (like an encrypted cloud storage service) to ensure that you can recover it in case of data loss or corruption.

5. Password Encryption:

RDCMan does not encrypt credentials stored in the configuration file by default, which can be a security concern. While RDCMan itself is relatively safe to use in trusted environments, always consider encrypting the configuration file if it contains sensitive information. Using third-party encryption tools can add an extra layer of protection.

Conclusion

Removing credentials from Remote Desktop Connection Manager is a simple but important step in maintaining security, organization, and efficiency in your remote desktop management environment. Whether you're doing so for security reasons, due to changes in login information, or as part of routine maintenance, following the steps outlined above will ensure that your RDCMan configuration remains up-to-date and secure. By adhering to best practices and regularly auditing your credentials, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and keep your remote desktop environment running smoothly.