RDP via RWW - Full Screen with Two Different Sized Monitors

One of the more annoying puzzles that needed to be figured out was how to get an RDP session via the Remote Web Workplace to work full screen with monitors connected to the same system that are a different size.

Why was it annoying? Because, with the advent of RWW on SBS 2008 where there is no ability to control the connected desktop's resolution anymore, so we end up with scroll bars and a partial view of the connected desktop if it comes up on the smaller screen.

The RDP session will always come up on the monitor that the IE browser window was in.

Monitor 1 is 1280x1024 - Monitor 2 is 1680x1050

While not a perfect solution, the method to get a full screen RDP session via the RWW to work is as follows:

1. Set the smaller monitor as the Main Monitor.
2. Do not close the Display Settings window.
3. Move the IE browser window to the smaller monitor.
4. Connect to the remote desktop using the Connect to ... Computer link.
5. Log onto the workstation.

Once the logon has completed and the remote computer's desktop has come up, switch the Main Monitor back to the larger of the pair.

When we are working on a workstation with an odd set of monitors like this, we tend to put the client's server or desktop on the larger monitor, and have our reference desktop VM opened up on the smaller monitor in full screen mode.

This method works for both SBS 2003 and SBS 2008 Remote Web Workplace desktop sessions.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

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