TS + Citrix Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions / Tips & Tricks

The information in this FAQ is compiled from posts in various newsgroups and user forums. Thanks to all those posters who contributed with their knowledge!

FAQ sections: Installation | Server configuration | Client resources | User issues | Licensing | Printing | Connectivity | Profiles | Performance | Applications | Administration & Monitoring | More FAQS

1. I need to add an extra server to my Terminal Server farm. What is the easiest way to make sure that it is identical to the existing servers?
2. I need hotfix nnnnnn! Where can I download it?
3. Should I configure the server to optimize for applications or background processes?
4. Can I install Terminal Services from the commandline?

1. How do I clear the user name from the logon dialog box?
2. How do I enforce the domain name in the logon dialog box?
3. How can I prevent my users from shutting down the Terminal Server?
4. How can I prevent my users from disconnecting from their session?
5. How can I configure the server to automatically kill disconnected sessions immediately?
6. How can I prevent my users from connecting to the full desktop of the server while deploying my applications through RemoteApp?
7. How can I configure different sets of RemoteApps, based on user group membership?
8. How can I configure different TS desktops, based on user group membership?
9. Can I limit most users to a single session, while allowing other users multiple sessions?
10. How can I enable the clock in the Taskbar for all remote sessions?
11. How can I configure a default wallpaper for my remote users?
12. How can I lock down my standalone TS with a local policy without locking down the Administrator account?

1. How can I verify that my local COM ports are redirected?
2. How can I prevent my users from redirecting their local resources, like drives and clip board?
3. How can I allow only a subset of my users to redirect their local printers and drives?
4. How can I copy files to my local disk drive from the command prompt / with a batch file?
5. How can I see the free disk space on my redirected local drive?
6. How can I prevent the security warning when I use local drive redirection?
7. How can I connect to my local scanner or digital camera in a TS session?
8. Can I use multiple monitors with my rdp session?
9. How can I roll out Custom ICA Connections to use with Citrix Program Neighboorhood to all my users?

1. Remote Desktop session window won't stay minimized
2. How do I get rid of the yellow connection bar?
3. When users start a program, they get a "file download" dialog box, or an error message: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."
4. When users start a RemoteApp, they get a dialog box: "a Website wants to start a remote connection. The publisher of this remote connection cannot be identified."
5. How can I allow my left-handed users to configure their mouse buttons properly?
6. Extended characters with the right Alt key don't work

1. How do I know when the grace period will end?
2. I've installed licenses on my Licensing Server, but it still issues temporary ones. What's wrong?
3. How do I move my TS licenses to a new TS Licensing Server?
4. How can I see if a TS Licensing Server is installed as Enterprise or Domain LS?
5. How can I revoke an issued license to make it available for a new client?
6. Expired TS CALs are not returned to the pool of available licenses
7. Can I use a single TS Licensing Server to issue TS CALs to Terminal Servers in multiple untrusted domains and workgroups?
8. How can I delete the MSLicensing key from a thin client?
9. How can I delete the MSLicensing key from a Macintosh client?
10. How can I monitor my TS license database and get a warning when I'm running out of available licenses?

1. My printer spooler keeps crashing! How can I solve this?
2. My users can see all redirected printers. How can I make them see only their own printers?
3. How can I turn off printer notifications for all users?
4. I want only specific printers to be redirected. Can this be done?
5. Can I remove the session number from the redirected printer name?
6. My old DOS application needs to print to LPT1. How can this be done?

1. How can I allow rdp connections from specific clients only?
2. RDP connections from a Vista client freeze or disconnect after some minutes

1. I am planning to move my Terminal Server to new hardware. How can I move the user profiles to the new server?
2. User profiles are filling up my C: drive. Can I move them to my D: drive?
3. Users' Temporary Internet Files are filling up my harddisk

1. How can I measure RDP bandwidth usage?
2. Can I enhance graphics performance by installing a better video card in the server?
3. How can I improve the quality of video in a TS session?

1. My application runs fine for Administrators, but not for normal users
2. My application runs only for the Administrator who installed the application, but not for normal users or other accounts with Administrator rights
3. User sessions don't logoff when users quit their starting or published application
4. How can I run a DOS application in full screen?
5. I need to have an application running on the console. How can I monitor it?
6. How can I prevent my users from surfing the Internet in their TS sessions?

1. Terminal Services Administration tool starts minimized and can't be maximized
2. How can I use the Remote Desktops snap-in from 2003 Adminpak.msi without installing all the tools?
3. How can I change which users or Administrators can connect to the console session?
4. How can I start a console session from a XP SP3 or Vista SP1 client?
5. How can I start a console session from a Macintosh RDC client?
6. Can I start a console session from my PDA?
7. How can my script / application detect if a Windows 2003 server is in Remote Administration or Application Server mode?
8. How can my script / application detect if Remote Desktop for Administration is enabled on a Windows 2003 server?
9. How can my script / application detect if a Windows 2008 server is configured for Remote Administration or running the Terminal Server role service?
10. How can my script / application detect if Remote Desktop for Administration is enabled on a Windows 2008 server?
11. How can my script / application detect if it is running in a Terminal Services client session?
12. How can my script / application retrieve the session id of the session it is running in?
13. How can I retrieve the client IP number?
14. How can I track which users are logging on to my Terminal Server?
15. How can I retrieve the total number of sessions on my Terminal Server?
16. How can I remotely kill disconnected sessions?
17. How can I kill all active sessions at a specific time?
18. How can I Remote Control my Windows XP SP2 client from within Terminal Services Manager?
19. How can I Remote Control my Windows 2000 Pro / Vista Home client?
20. How can I Remote Control my Macintosh client?

• Vista Remote Desktop Connection Authentication FAQ
• Windows Terminal Services Frequently Asked Questions - thethin.net
• SBC / Citrix FAQ - by Thomas Koetzing
• WTS FAQ - summaries of frequent topics in terminalserver newsgroups, by Alex K. Angelopoulos, MVP
• Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Desktop