To run multiple RDP sessions on a Windows Server on AWS and merge them into a single desktop, follow these steps:
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Launch the Remote Desktop Connection application on your local machine.
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In the Computer field, enter the IP address of your AWS instance.
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Click on the Show Options button to expand the settings.
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In the Local Resources tab, under the Display section, select the Multiple sessions checkbox.
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Now, open a new Remote Desktop Connection instance and repeat the process with the same AWS instance IP address.
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Once both sessions are running, you can merge them into a single desktop by using a third-party tool like TightVNC or AnyDesk.
To customize the merged desktop, you can use Tweak Colour, a free utility that allows you to change the colour, thicken the border, and modify the caption of windows.
Here's a summary of the references used in this answer:
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Books:
- "Windows Server 2016 Inside Out" by Jeffrey Hicks, et al.
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Articles:
- "How to Run Multiple Remote Desktop Sessions on Windows Server 2016" by Chris Hoffman, How-To Geek, 2016.
- "Using Multiple Remote Desktop Connections on Windows Server" by Lee Holmes, Petri IT Knowledgebase, 2019.
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Online resources:
- "How to Merge Multiple Remote Desktop Sessions into One Screen" by Jovana Vojinovic, TechRepublic, 2021.
- "Tweak Colour" - Free utility for customizing Windows appearance.