Is the remote desktop window too big or small? You can change the remote desktop resolution to whatever size you want. Here’s how.
Windows automatically sets the remote computer resolution to match your local monitor or screen size when you create a new remote desktop connection. For example, if your local monitor or screen resolution is 1920 X 1080, the remote desktop application will set the remote connection’s resolution to the same.
Generally, this is good enough for most remote desktop users. However, what if the current remote desktop resolution is too high or low. For example, if the current remote desktop resolution is the same as your local monitor resolution, it becomes challenging to multitask with side-by-side windows. Add to that; the Windows Remote Desktop application has no option for dynamic resizing.
The good thing is that it is pretty easy to change the remote desktop resolution. All it takes is a few clicks, and you are good to go.
Let me show you the steps to set a custom resolution for remote desktop in Windows operating system without further ado.
Note: Before proceeding, I assume you have already created a remote desktop connection. If you didn’t connect to the remote desktop, save the connection and disconnect. Once you have done all that, follow the below steps.
Change remote desktop resolution
Since the remote desktop application is not good with dynamic resizing and resolution, you must manually set the resolution as needed. You have to edit the remote connection’s display settings to do that. It doesn’t sound straightforward, but it is pretty easy to do. Let me show you how.
- Open the ‘Remote Desktop Connection‘ app from Start.
- Select the remote connection from the “Computer” dropdown.
- Click the “Show Options” button at the bottom.
- Go to the “Display” tab.
- Use the “Display configuration” slider to change remote desktop resolution.
- Click the “Connect” button.
- The settings are saved automatically, and you have modified the remote desktop screen resolution.
Steps with more details:
The first thing to do is open the Remote Desktop application. You can open it by searching for “Remote Desktop Connection” in the Start menu. Alternatively, use the “mstsc” run command (Windows key + R).
After opening the application, choose the remote connection from the “Computer” dropdown menu. Generally, the dropdown menu shows the last connected remote connection by default.
Now, click on the “Show Options” button at the bottom. As the name suggests, this action will force the Remote Desktop Connection app to show additional options to manage the current remote connection.
Here, go to the “Display” tab. This is where you find all the display-related options the Remote Desktop Connection app offers.
Use the “Display configuration” slider to increase or decrease the remote desktop screen resolution. For instance, I reduced the remote desktop resolution to “1440 X 900.” That way, it is easy to multitask on my monitor. You can choose the one you like.
One thing to keep in mind is that you cannot go beyond the local computer display resolution. For example, if your local/physical monitor resolution is 1920 X 1080, you cannot go beyond that.
From now on, whenever you connect to the same remote connection, the app will automatically set the resolution according to the settings you just configured.
That is all. It is that simple to change remote desktop resolution in Windows.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
