How to save the start up location of RDP/RDC window

The Problem

I like using RDP but I get very frustrated when the terminal window doesn’t remember the location.

Evert time I connect via RDP, the remote window starts in the top-left corner of my primary screen. It drives me nuts.

In this post, I’ll explain how to save the location of the window without hacking RDP files.

Set The Defaults

Run MSTSC:

Next, adjust your desired settings in General, Display, and Local Resources….

Click Save button, DO NOT CONNECT, and Close MSTSC when done.

Essentially, what we’ve done is save these connection preferences to “Default.RDP” (see details at the end of this post).

Place The Window

Next connect to the machine using the /v: switch:

Move, place, resize, and adjust the terminal window where you want MSTSC to start every time.

NOTE: If you want scrollbars to be removed adjust the height and width of the window now. You may need to click the restore button between the close and minimize button on the top right.

Next, Close the terminal window when you’re done and click OK.

MSTSC should now save the last position of the window in “Default.RDP” (see details at the end of this post).  

Save The RDP file

Run MSTSC again:

Now Click SAVE AS..:

Double click on your new RDP file.

Your new terminal window should start  at the same position every time you double click on your new RDP file.

The Details: The Default Settings File

MSTSC stores default connection preferences in a hidden file called “Default.rdp” located in:

[System.Environment]::GetFolderPath([Environment+SpecialFolder]::MyDocuments)

# Windows 7: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Default.rdp

# Windows 2000 / XP: %USERPROFILE%\My Documents

Note: If you don’t see Default.rdp, you’ll need to turn on “Show Hidden Files”.

Default.rdp is the default settings (& window state location) for MSTSC.

Brian Chavez