Remote Desktop Services programming guidelines

Most existing 32-bit or 64-bit Windows-based applications run "as is" in a Remote Desktop Services (formerly known as Terminal Services) environment. However, some applications function correctly and perform well in a Remote Desktop Services environment, while others do not. The following topics provide guidelines for developing applications in a Remote Desktop Services environment.

Multiple-user guidelines

Guidelines for developing applications for multiple users in a Remote Desktop Services environment.

Performance guidelines

Guidelines for developing applications that perform well in a Remote Desktop Services environment.

General programming guidelines

Guidelines for developing applications in a Remote Desktop Services environment.

Many of these guidelines are good programming practices that will benefit applications running in any Windows environment. However, some recommended optimizations, such as limiting graphic effects, are optimizations that you would want only when your application is running under Remote Desktop Services. For a code example that shows how to detect a Remote Desktop Services environment, see Detecting the Remote Desktop Services Environment.

Terminal Services Is Now Remote Desktop Services

Administrative Template File Format

Registry Key Security and Access Rights

Registry Hives

Security Descriptors

Standard Access Rights

Access Control Model