Remote Desktop Services Manager in Windows 10 — Full Guide (2025)

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is one of Microsoft’s most powerful tools for managing remote access, multi-user sessions, and virtual desktop environments. While earlier versions of Windows Server included a built-in Remote Desktop Services Manager (RDSM) for monitoring and controlling active RDP sessions, Windows 10 also supports several management tools and techniques that allow users and administrators to handle remote connections efficiently.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Remote Desktop Services Manager in Windows 10 — what it is, how to access similar functionality, tools you can use, and practical management tips to control RDP sessions effectively.

What Is Remote Desktop Services Manager?

The Remote Desktop Services Manager (RDSM) is a Microsoft management console used to monitor, control, and troubleshoot remote desktop sessions on Windows systems. In older versions, such as Windows Server 2008 R2, this tool was built in and allowed administrators to:

• View all active and disconnected RDP sessions.

• Log off or disconnect users remotely.

• Send messages to connected users.

• Monitor session performance and resource usage.

• Shadow (view or control) user sessions for support purposes.

In Windows 10, Remote Desktop Services Manager is no longer a standalone tool. However, you can achieve the same functionality using a combination of built-in Windows tools, PowerShell commands, and third-party utilities.

Understanding Remote Desktop Services in Windows 10

Windows 10 supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections, allowing one computer to connect to another and control it remotely. The Remote Desktop Services feature works behind the scenes to manage these sessions.

However, unlike Windows Server, Windows 10 allows only one RDP session at a time by default. If you log in remotely, the local user will be logged out.

That said, Windows 10 still includes tools and administrative utilities that help monitor and manage those sessions — making it possible to view connected users, end sessions, and even automate session management.

🔧 Tools to Manage Remote Desktop Sessions in Windows 10

Let’s explore the different tools and techniques that serve as modern alternatives to the Remote Desktop Services Manager on Windows 10.

1. Task Manager (Users Tab)

One of the simplest ways to monitor RDP sessions in Windows 10 is through the Task Manager.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click on the Users tab.

3. Here, you’ll see a list of all users currently connected (local or remote).

You can right-click on any user and select:

• Disconnect to end their remote session.

• Sign off to log them out completely.

• Send a message to communicate directly.

This is the most direct way to perform basic session management without any additional tools.

2. Command Prompt and PowerShell

Windows 10 provides powerful command-line utilities to manage RDP sessions remotely or locally.

🧩 View Active Sessions:

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator and type:

query session

This command lists all active sessions, including their ID, user name, and session state (Active/Disconnected).

🧩 Disconnect a User Session:

Once you have the session ID, you can disconnect it with:

logoff [SessionID]

Example:

logoff 2

🧩 Message a Remote User:

To send a message to a specific user session:

msg [username] Your session will be restarted for maintenance.

These commands give you fine-grained control similar to what the old Remote Desktop Services Manager offered.

3. Computer Management Console

Another built-in tool you can use in Windows 10 is the Computer Management Console.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Computer Management.

2. Navigate to:

   System Tools → Shared Folders → Sessions
   

3. Here, you can view all active network sessions connected to your machine.

4. Right-click on any connection to close or disconnect it.

Although not specifically designed for RDP sessions, it helps manage remote access activity in general.

4. Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan)

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) is a free tool that simplifies managing multiple RDP connections from a single interface.

🔧 Features:

• Create groups of remote servers or computers.

• Save credentials and connection settings.

• Quickly connect, disconnect, or log off users.

• Organize and monitor multiple RDP sessions side by side.

📥 Download:

You can download RDCMan directly from Microsoft’s site.

Note: Microsoft briefly discontinued RDCMan but restored it with improved security and compatibility for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

RDCMan is ideal for system administrators or power users managing multiple remote desktops or servers simultaneously.

5. Microsoft Remote Desktop App

The Microsoft Remote Desktop App (available from the Microsoft Store) provides an easy way to connect and manage multiple RDP sessions with modern features and cloud sync.

🔧 Features:

• Manage multiple connections with custom labels.

• Secure credential management.

• Support for RD Gateway and remote resource feeds.

• Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS).

For many Windows 10 users, this app is a convenient and lightweight alternative to the legacy Remote Desktop Services Manager.

6. Third-Party RDP Session Management Tools

If you need more advanced features, several third-party RDP managers offer extended functionality:

🧰 Popular Tools:

• mRemoteNG: A multi-protocol connection manager supporting RDP, SSH, VNC, and more.

• Royal TS: Enterprise-grade tool with advanced automation, credentials vault, and audit logs.

• Terminals: Open-source RDP and SSH manager.

• Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager: All-in-one platform for managing credentials, sessions, and automation.

These tools go beyond standard RDP session control, adding password management, tabbed views, and team collaboration options.

⚙️ How to Enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10

If you haven’t already enabled RDP on your Windows 10 system, follow these quick steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to System → Remote Desktop.

3. Toggle Enable Remote Desktop to ON.

4. Note your PC name — you’ll need it for remote connections.

5. Allow RDP access in Windows Firewall.

You can now connect to your computer remotely using the Remote Desktop app or RDP client.

🧱 Advanced Session Management via PowerShell

PowerShell provides deeper control for administrators managing multiple systems.

Example: Get a List of Connected Users

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_LogonSession | Select-Object LogonId, LogonType

Example: Disconnect Inactive Sessions

query session | ForEach-Object {
    if ($_ -match "Disc") {
        $sessionId = ($_ -split "\s+")[2]
        logoff $sessionId
    }
}

This script automatically logs off all disconnected RDP sessions — useful for freeing system resources.

🔐 Security and Best Practices

Since RDP access can expose your system to external risks, always follow these best practices:

1. Enable Network Level Authentication (NLA) — Adds a secure authentication layer before RDP access.

2. Use Strong Passwords — Avoid weak or reused passwords.

3. Limit Access — Restrict RDP access to trusted IP addresses.

4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) if possible.

5. Regularly Update Windows — Always keep your system patched.

6. Monitor Logs — Check Event Viewer (Applications and Services Logs → Microsoft → Windows → TerminalServices-LocalSessionManager) for unusual activity.

These steps ensure your Remote Desktop sessions remain secure and reliable.

🧩 Comparing Windows 10 vs. Windows Server RDS Manager

Feature	Windows 10	Windows Server
RDP Session Limit	1 at a time	Multiple concurrent sessions
Built-in Manager	No (use tools or PowerShell)	Yes (Remote Desktop Services Manager)
Licensing	Desktop OS	Server CALs required
Ideal Use Case	Personal/small business	Enterprise/data center
Monitoring Tools	Task Manager, CMD, PowerShell	RDS Manager, RD Gateway, RD Licensing

While Windows Server is designed for multi-session management, Windows 10 provides sufficient tools for both personal and administrative use.

🏁 Conclusion

Remote Desktop Services Manager in Windows 10 Even though Windows 10 doesn’t include a dedicated Remote Desktop Services Manager, you can still monitor, control, and automate remote desktop sessions using built-in utilities and modern tools.

For simple management, the Task Manager or Command Prompt works perfectly. For multi-session control, Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) and third-party tools like mRemoteNG or Royal TS provide enterprise-level features.

By combining these solutions with PowerShell automation and proper security practices, you can fully replicate and even enhance what the old RDS Manager once offered — making Windows 10 a powerful platform for managing remote connections efficiently.