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TS Web Access Needs RDC? Here's What Your Windows Server Requires

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Need RDC for TS Web Access? A Guide to Windows Server Requirements

TS Web Access
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Hey everyone! Ever tried to access your work desktop from home using TS Web Access and gotten stuck? Chances are you’re missing a key piece of the puzzle: the Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about RDC and its requirements for using TS Web Access on your Windows Server.

What’s the Deal with RDC and TS Web Access?

First, let’s talk about Terminal Services Web Access (TSWeb) (in Windows Server 2008) and Remote Desktop Services (RDWeb) (in Windows Server 2008 R2). Think of these as handy tools that let you launch RemoteApp programs and access your desktop from any web browser. Pretty cool, right? They give you a personalized view of your apps and virtual desktops. When you fire up a RemoteApp program, it actually starts a Terminal Services session on the server hosting that program.

To get started, you connect to a website on your TS Web Access server, and voila! A list of available RemoteApp programs appears. Bonus: TS Web Access also lets you connect to the remote desktop of any server or client computer as long as you have the right permissions.

Getting Your RDC Client Right

The most important thing to remember is that your RDC client version needs to match your server’s operating system. Here’s the lowdown:

  • Windows Server 2008 R2: You’ll need RDC client version 7.0.
  • Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista SP1, or Windows XP SP3: RDC client version 6.1 is your go-to. It’s worth noting that RDC 6.1 (6.0.6001) supports Remote Desktop Protocol 6.1.

Important Note: If you’re on Windows Vista, make sure you have Service Pack 1 installed. Similarly, Windows XP users need Service Pack 3 or RDC 6.1.

Troubleshooting RDC Issues with TS Web Access

If you’re having trouble connecting to TS Web Access and using an older version of the RDC client, you’ll probably see an error message with a URL. This URL typically points you to a helpful webpage with more information. While it usually directs you to a Microsoft support article, your administrator might customize this link.

Admins: Customizing the RDC Install URL

If you’re the system administrator, you have two ways to change the URL in the error message:

Method 1: Using ASP.NET Application Settings

  1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager: Hit Start, type Inetmgr.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to TS Web Access: Expand the server name, then Sites > Default Web Site > TS. (TS Web Access usually lives in the default website.)
  3. Access Application Settings: Under ASP.NET, double-click Application Settings.
  4. Add a New Setting: Click Add in the actions pane.
  5. Name the Setting: Type rdcInstallURL in the Name box.
  6. Enter the URL: Paste the URL of the webpage you want users to see. This could be a custom internal help page or a specific Microsoft support article. Click OK.

Method 2: Editing the Web.config File

  1. Open Web.config: Find the Web.config file for the TS Web Access website (typically in the Web\ts folder) and open it with a text editor like Notepad.
  2. Find the appSettings Section: Locate the <appSettings> section.
  3. Add the New Entry: Insert the following line within the <appSettings> section:
<add key="rdcInstallUrl" value="http://yourcustomurl" />

Remember to replace http://yourcustomurl with your desired URL.
4. Save and Close: Save the Web.config file and close Notepad.

Not an Admin? Get Help!

Don’t worry if you’re not an administrator. If TS Web Access is giving you headaches, reach out to your system administrator. They can help you get and install the correct RDC client version and fix any other connection problems.

Additional Resources

For more in-depth information about Remote Desktop Services and Terminal Services, check out these links:

We hope this guide helped you sort out your RDC and TS Web Access woes. Have any questions, tips, or tricks to share? Leave a comment below! And if you need more help, come back and visit – we’re always adding new content.

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