Remote Desktop Connection Manager v3.1


Remote Desktop Connection Manager v3.1 Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) v3.1 is one of Microsoft’s most iconic and beloved remote-administration tools—especially among systems administrators, IT support specialists, and network engineers who need to manage large collections of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions. Though Microsoft officially deprecated the tool in 2020 due to a security vulnerability, it is still widely discussed, referenced, and used in controlled environments where administrators value its simplicity and group-based management features.

This article provides a detailed look at RDCMan v3.1, including what it is, why it was so popular, its major features, its architecture, risks, and modern alternatives you should consider.

What is Remote Desktop Connection Manager v3.1?

Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) is a free Windows utility created by Microsoft to centralize, organize, and manage multiple RDP connections from a single interface. While the native Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool allows one connection at a time, RDCMan was designed for heavy users who juggle tens—or even hundreds—of servers daily.

Version 3.1 is the final and most widely used edition of the tool. Released around 2014, it introduced better group management, enhanced credential handling, improved performance, and UI refinements.

Why Was RDCMan So Popular?

RDCMan became a default tool for countless administrators because it solved a key problem: the mental and logistical burden of managing multiple servers simultaneously. Some organizations had hundreds of Windows Server deployments spread across environments, networks, and data centers. Having a unified console with persistent organization significantly simplified daily administrative tasks.

Administrators appreciated it because:

  1. It grouped servers logically (e.g., by environment, region, department, or customer).

  2. It remembered credentials, saving time on repeated logins.

  3. It supported live thumbnails, enabling quick visual monitoring of multiple systems.

  4. It offered a tabbed, centralized interface, making multitasking much easier.

  5. It was light, fast, portable, and easy to configure.

In other words, RDCMan provided professional-grade efficiency without the complexity of enterprise-scale RDS solutions.

Key Features of RDCMan v3.1

1. Group-Based Organization

RDCMan allows users to create hierarchical “groups” that hold individual servers or nested groups. This made it possible to structure environments like:

  • Production / Staging / Development

  • Customer A / Customer B

  • Data Center East / Data Center West

  • Domain Controllers / SQL Servers / Hyper-V Hosts

Each group can inherit settings from parent groups, dramatically reducing repetitive configuration work.

2. Centralized Credential Management

The tool stores credentials at three levels:

  • Global settings

  • Group-level settings

  • Individual server settings

Administrators could configure a domain credential at the group level and let downstream servers inherit it, eliminating the need to re-enter passwords for each machine.

This feature alone made RDCMan a time-saving powerhouse.

3. Connection Thumbnails

One of RDCMan’s most visually appealing features was live thumbnails, which displayed all active connections in a grid. This provided real-time visibility into multiple remote desktops without requiring you to switch between tabs continuously.

The thumbnail view was especially useful for:

  • Monitoring running services

  • Watching logs

  • Keeping track of updates and deployments

  • Supervising several application servers simultaneously

4. Session Management & Hotkeys

RDCMan v3.1 improved workflow efficiency with several options:

  • Quick switching between sessions using tabs

  • Optional full-screen mode for distraction-free administration

  • Keyboard shortcuts for reconnecting or refreshing sessions

  • Smart resizing and scaling depending on local monitor resolution

The tool aimed to eliminate the friction that comes with juggling multiple remote sessions manually.

5. Import and Export of Server Lists

Administrators could import server lists from:

  • XML configuration files

  • .RDP files

  • Other RDCMan configuration files

This made it ideal for teams who wanted to standardize their RDP management environment. A new employee or contractor could import one file and instantly gain structured access to the servers they need.

6. Support for Restricted Administration Mode

RDCMan v3.1 added support for Microsoft’s security features, such as Restricted Admin Mode (RDPRA), allowing administrators to connect to remote systems without transmitting credentials—a significant enhancement for high-security organizations.

Why Did Microsoft Discontinue RDCMan?

In March 2020, Microsoft published a security advisory (CVE-2020-0765) identifying an exploit vulnerability in RDCMan v3.1 related to XML parsing in configuration files. Instead of patching the tool—likely due to its age and limited mainstream adoption—Microsoft discontinued and archived it.

Despite discontinuation, many administrators continue using it in offline or controlled networks. However, organizations must weigh the security implications carefully.

Security Concerns & Best Practices

If you still use RDCMan v3.1 today, follow these safety guidelines:

1. Avoid opening configuration files (.rdg) from untrusted sources

The vulnerability involved maliciously crafted files. Only open files from inside your organization.

2. Store credentials safely

Avoid saving passwords in configuration files on shared drives or unencrypted storage.

3. Restrict use to internal networks

Do not install or use RDCMan on internet-facing devices.

4. Apply strict ACL permissions

Limit access to RDG files containing server lists and credentials.

5. Consider isolating RDCMan in a hardened admin workstation

Use privileged access workstations (PAW) or jump servers for stronger segregation.

Modern Alternatives to RDCMan

Because RDCMan was deprecated, several tools have become common replacements:

1. Microsoft Remote Desktop App (UWP)

  • Modern interface

  • Supports grouping

  • Smoother scaling

2. Remote Desktop Connection (built-in) + RDP Profiles

  • Basic but stable

  • No multi-session UI like RDCMan

3. Royal TS / Royal TSX

  • Commercial-grade

  • Cross-platform support

  • Advanced credential vaulting

4. mRemoteNG

  • Open source

  • Supports RDP, SSH, VNC, Telnet, RAdmin, etc.

5. Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager

  • Extremely feature-rich

  • Enterprise password vault integration

  • Multi-protocol support

For most enterprises, these modern tools offer enhanced security, better UI, and active development.

Is It Still Worth Using?

Whether RDCMan v3.1 is still worth using depends on your environment:

Good use cases

  • Isolated lab environments

  • Private networks without external exposure

  • Admins who prefer the classic UI

  • Situations where the tool is already embedded in workflows

Avoid if

  • You manage sensitive production systems

  • You require updated security compliance

  • Your organization must adhere to strict auditing standards

  • You need multi-protocol support (SSH, VNC, etc.)

RDCMan remains a nostalgic yet functional tool—still valued for its simplicity and efficiency—but no longer appropriate as a primary enterprise remote-access platform.

Conclusion

Remote Desktop Connection Manager v3.1 Remote Desktop Connection Manager v3.1 holds a special place in the history of Windows server administration. For many IT professionals, it was the first tool that truly solved the problem of managing large fleets of servers via Remote Desktop. Its simple grouping, thumbnail view, credential inheritance, and speed made it one of Microsoft’s most useful free utilities.

Although officially discontinued and replaced by more secure, modern alternatives, RDCMan continues to be referenced and appreciated for the productivity boost it offered. If used today, it should be restricted to controlled environments with proper security controls. For most production environments, modern RDP management tools provide safer and more advanced replacements.

If you’d like, I can also create a comparison table of RDCMan vs. alternative tools, or write a step-by-step setup guide for RDCMan.

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