Knowledge Base > Virtual Desktop - Setup Questions > How do I create a login icon on my desktop?
How to Create a Desktop Login Icon
Creating a login icon is useful for if you want to log in from another location, or if you have recently reformatted your computer and are attempting to set this up on your own, or for the first time.
The program that is used to connect to the server is called Remote Desktop Connection. It comes by default with Windows XP / 2003 / Vista / 2008 and is also available for Windows 2000 but requires a seperate installation if it has not been previously installed - it is not by default.
*NOTE: Macintosh users, please see the last section of this article at the bottom of this page.
There are two versions available depending on your operating system:
Remote Desktop Connection version 5.2
Windows 2000 / XP / 2003
This icon is usually found in START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > COMMUNICATIONS folder.
Remote Desktop Connection version 6.0
Windows XP / Vista / 2008
This icon is usually found in START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES folder, but can sometimes be found in the Communications subfolder as shown for version 5.2 above.
There are a few differences in the two programs but for the steps required to create a login icon they are nearly identical. For this reason we will be showing the steps using screenshots from version 6.0 and users can substitute or disregard screens that do not appear in version 5.2. (You should have no difficulty locating the differences and seeing where to substitute even if you know nothing about computers.)
One of the key differences in the two versions is that the spanning function (used to spread the display across dual monitors) is only available in RDP v6.0 which is available for all versions of Windows except 2000 and below. This version comes standard with Vista and 2008 Server, but you need to manually upgrade XP and 2003 Server to this version.
These steps are not included in this article - those wishing to do so need to visit the Windows Updates website and look under the Custom optional updates where it is listed as "Terminal Services Client 6.0"
Before proceeding to the following steps be sure that you have your server Username and Password. You will not be able to log into the server without these, although you can still complete the steps outlined below to create the login icon, you will just need to edit them later to enter the login information.
Step-by-Step
First locate the Remote Desktop Connection icon in your start menu and click on it. You will be presented with a slimmed down screen asking for the Computer name. Locate and click on the Options>> button to expand the screen to its full view. (Shown below)
Mirror the settings as seen in each of the screenshots below. We will outline the details below each screenshot in case you cannot make out the pictures.
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Computer: ts.kotter.net
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Allow me to save credentials: Yes (place a checkmark here)
Next switch over to the Display tab.
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Remote Desktop Size: Drag the slider bar all the way to the right until the words beneath it read Full Screen.
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Colors: High Color (16 bit)
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Display the connection bar when in full screen mode: Yes
Now switch to the Local Resources tab.
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Remote Computer Sound: Bring to this computer
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Keyboard: In full screen mode only
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Printers: No (it is very important this not be checked)
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Clipboard: Yes
Click on the More... button underneath Printers.
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Select the C drive
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Select any other drives you may need access to (exclude CD and DVD rom drives)
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All other settings are unimportant and you can leave them as they appear by default.
Click OK to close this screen.
Switch to the Programs tab.
No settings are needed on this tab.
Move on to the Experience tab.
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Choose connection speed: Modem (56 Kbps) - The higher you set this the lower the performance you will experience in your server session. It is recommended to keep this setting at 56 Kbps.
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Desktop background: Agency Systems users should select this option. All other users can disregard this as it will make no difference to your sessions.
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Reconnect if connection is dropped: Yes
Now select the Advanced tab.
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Server Authentication: Connect and don't warn me
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Connect from anywhere: No changes are required. For those who are curious you may click on the Settings button and match the configuration shown in the figure below.
Now switch back over to the General tab.
At the bottom of the screen, click on the Save As button underneath Connection settings.
Save the icon to your Desktop and name it Kotter Desktop as shown in the image below.
Now, if you have your login Username and Password with you go ahead and click on the Connect button. If you do not have this information you will need to contact your support team to obtain the username. Passwords are not stored in many cases and may need to be reset. When you click on the connect button you will be prompted with the following screen.
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Username: Input your username here. Include TS\ in front of your username - this will keep you from having to tell the server which domain you wish to log on to, which can become rather bothersome if neglected.
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Password: Enter your password here. See the notes below for more information regarding password and access security.
*NOTE: If you wish to make the user enter the password each time they log in then remove the check mark for Remember Password. This is more secure, making it impossible to log in to that user's account without entering the password each time. Useful if you share a computer with other users, or if you are creating an icon on a shared home computer.
If this icon is being placed onto a secured workstation or laptop that only you can access then saving your credentials can make logging in easy. Place a check mark next to Remember Password and every time you double-click the icon on the desktop you will be automatically signed in to your server account without needing to supply any further information. Consider this option carefully before deciding.
Once you have entered the login information, click the OK button to save the settings to the desktop icon and log into your server account.
If you need to change any of these settings later on you just need to locate the desktop icon:
Right-click on the icon and select Edit from the menu. You will be returned to the General tab from above.
This concludes the steps needed to create the Remote Desktop icon for Terminal Services. Please note that these steps will only gain you access into the server, you will not be able to print from the server to your local printer using only these steps.
To do that you will need to install the Tricerat ScrewDrivers printing client. You can find a link to those setup instructions in the section below.
If you have any trouble with these settings please contact your support team for assistance.
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Enter a ticket into this ticket system. http://kotter.helpserve.com
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Send an email to support@kotter.net.
Links to Related Articles
How to install the Tricerat ScrewDrivers printing client:
http://kotter.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=24&nav=0,4
How to set up Dual Monitors using Remote Desktop Connection version 6.0:
http://kotter.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=55&nav=0,4
How to set up the free Kotter Fax Printer for outbound faxing:
http://kotter.helpserve.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=57&nav=0,4
Download the Remote Desktop Connection 6.0 update for Windows XP:
Remote Desktop Connections on Macintosh OS
Macintosh users can access the servers to work from home or the office by installing the Remote Desktop Client 2 for Mac OSX. This is an unsupported Operating System and as such the support desk cannot offer any assistance on installing, configuring, or troubleshooting problems with this.
Please note that Tricerat ScrewDrivers printing software is not available for MAC OSX. Printing from the servers to a Macintosh PC will not be available.
Below are several links to some great articles on Microsoft's Mactopia website. These are very helpful and should guide you through most, if not all, of your needs. All materials are copyright by Microsoft Corporation.
System Requirements for using Remote Desktop Client 2:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remotedesktop/system-requirements.mspx
Connecting to Windows-based Computers:
Download Remote Desktop Client 2:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx
General How-to and Help Articles:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/help.mspx?app=6
Last updated on December 2, 2009 by Adam Kotter