Always show desktop on connection

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista

This policy setting determines whether the desktop is always displayed after a client connects to a remote computer or an initial program can run. It can be used to require that the desktop be displayed after a client connects to a remote computer, even if an initial program is already specified in the default user profile, Remote Desktop Connection, Remote Desktop Services client, or through Group Policy. If you enable this policy setting, the desktop is always displayed when a client connects to a remote computer. This policy setting overrides any initial program policy settings. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, an initial program can be specified that runs on the remote computer after the client connects to the remote computer. If an initial program is not specified, the desktop is always displayed on the remote computer after the client connects to the remote computer. Note: If this policy setting is enabled, then the "Start a program on connection" policy setting is ignored.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• Computer
  Allow desktop composition for remote desktop sessions

  Windows Server 2008 R2 only
• User
  Always show desktop on connection

  WindowsServer2008
• Computer
  Configure compression for RemoteFX data

  At least Windows Vista with Service Pack 1
• Computer
  Configure H.264/AVC hardware encoding for Remote Desktop Connections

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Configure image quality for RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Configure RemoteFX Adaptive Graphics

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Do not allow font smoothing

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2
• Computer
  Enable enhanced shell experience for RemoteApp

  At least Windows 11 Version 22H2
• Computer
  Enable RemoteFX encoding for RemoteFX clients designed for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Enforce Removal of Remote Desktop Wallpaper

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• Computer
  Limit maximum color depth

  Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP
• Computer
  Limit maximum display resolution

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7