# Configuring Remote Desktop Sharing Settings

You are required to configure the following before you connect to a remote computer:

1. [Configure Settings](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#general-settings)
2. [Configure Screen Recording](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#screen-recording)
3. [Configure Performance](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#performance-settings)
4. [Configure User-confirmation](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#user-confirmation)

## Configure Settings

The following options can be customized under Settings:

- [General Settings](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#General_Settings)
- [Port Settings](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#Port_Settings)
- [Idle Session Settings](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/remote_desktop_sharing/remote_desktop_sharing_configuring_settings.html#Idle_Session)

### General Settings

1. Select the type of viewer you want to use to view the remote computer. You can choose either an **ActiveX** or a **Java viewer**. Only Java viewer is supported for Mac computers. Even if you have selected ActiveX, only Java viewer will be used for Mac computers.
2. **Enable Quick Launch Tray:** Notify users that you have connected remotely to their computer (not supported for Mac computers).
3. **Disable Wallpaper:** Disable the wallpaper set by the user during a remote connection (not supported for Mac computers).
4. **Disable Aero Theme:** Disable the Aero theme during a remote connection. This is applicable only for computers running Microsoft Windows Vista and later versions (not supported for Mac computers).
5. **Blacken the monitor of the client computer:** Blacken the user's monitor during a remote connection. This ensures that the user does not see the changes made by the administrator (not supported for Mac computers).
6. **Disable the keyboard and mouse of the client computer:** Lock the keyboard and mouse of the client computer during remote administration. Use this option when you want full control of the user's computer (not supported for Mac computers).
7. **Capture Alpha-Blending:** Capture transparent windows (not supported for Mac computers).
8. Log the reason for remote connection: Ensure that a reason is entered while connecting remotely to a computer.
9. **View-only mode:** You can only view the remote computer using this mode. You cannot provide inputs or make changes.
10. **Hide Remote Cursor:** Hide the mouse movements made on the client computer.

### Port Settings

1. Enable the checkbox to use **Secured Connection**.
2. By default, port 8047 will be configured. You can modify this if required.
3. If you modify the port number, restart the server.

### Idle Session Settings

1. Specify the maximum time limit allowed for the remote session to remain idle.
2. Specify the action to be performed when the idle time limit is exceeded, such as:
   - Disconnect the remote connection
   - Disconnect and lock the remote computer

## Configure Screen Recording

Screen recording enables you to record the entire remote control session for auditing purposes. This feature is currently supported only for the Windows operating system.

When screen recording is enabled:

1. When you connect to a computer, the Endpoint Central MSP Agent checks for available hard disk space to save the video.
2. If sufficient space is available, the session and recording start, and a notification is displayed on the client computer (configurable).
3. After the session is completed, the recorded video is uploaded to the Endpoint Central MSP Server and is available under the **History** tab within the Remote Control tool.

To enable and configure Screen Recording:

1. Click the **Tools** tab.
2. Click **Remote Control**.
3. Select the **Screen Recording** tab.
4. Select the "Enable Screen Recording" checkbox and specify the following:
   1. Select the required **Codec** for compression and decompression. If the selected codec is unavailable on the remote computer, the default codec will be used.
   2. Specify the **Frames per Second**. Higher FPS provides smoother mouse movement but increases video size. For auditing purposes, the default value is recommended.
   3. Choose the required **color quality**. Higher color quality increases the color depth range but also increases video size.
   4. Specify the **maximum storage size** for recorded videos. When the storage limit is exceeded, previously recorded files are automatically deleted.
   5. Specify the action when disk space runs out during a session:
      - Stop recording and continue the session
      - Disconnect the session
   6. To allow only authenticated users to download recorded videos, enable the checkbox that prompts for a password before download.
   7. To notify users that the session is being recorded, select the "Enable User Notification" checkbox and specify the message and duration. To display the notification throughout the session, select "Always show a notification when recording is in progress."

## Configure Performance

You can configure the following performance settings to improve remote session performance:

1. Compression Settings (not supported for Mac computers)

Compression settings include:

- **Fast:** Provides faster rendering. Lower compression ratio and higher bandwidth consumption.
- **Best:** Optimizes bandwidth utilization. Higher compression ratio and comparatively slower UI rendering.

2. Color-quality Settings

Selecting an appropriate color-quality level helps manage bandwidth usage. Lower color quality reduces bandwidth consumption.

**Note:** The default performance settings are:

1. Compression Settings:
   1. For LAN (local offices): Fast
   2. For WAN (remote offices): Best
2. Color Quality:
   1. For LAN (local offices): High (16 bit)
   2. For WAN (remote offices): High (16 bit)

### Configuring Performance Settings

To configure performance settings:

1. Click the **Tools** tab.
2. Click **Remote Control**.
3. Click the **Performance** tab.
4. Click ![](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/images/modify-configuration.jpg) in the **Action** column against the required Remote Office.
5. Select the required settings from the dropdown boxes for:
   1. Compression
   2. Color Quality
6. Click **Save**.

You have configured the performance settings as required.

## Configure User-confirmation

You can send users a message requesting permission before connecting remotely to their computers. Only Endpoint Central users with administrative privileges can configure this option.

- If a user is logged in, Endpoint Central MSP sends a confirmation request. The connection is established only if the user approves within 30 seconds.
- If the user does not approve within 30 seconds, the connection is not established.
- If no user is logged in, the connection is established without waiting for confirmation.

You can also:

1. Set the time allowed for user approval.
2. Customize the confirmation message text.
3. Enable **Always Prompt** to send confirmation requests even if users are logged off or the computer is locked.
4. Exclude specific computers from receiving confirmation messages.

### Making User Confirmation Permanent

To comply with HIPAA requirements for protecting user privacy, it is mandatory to obtain user approval before remote connections. Making user confirmation permanent ensures user consent is always required.

If you make user confirmation permanent, the setting cannot be reverted.

#### Using Other Settings After Making User Confirmation Permanent

1. If you enable **Make User Confirmation Permanent**, all computers in the network will receive a confirmation message before a remote connection is established.
2. If you enable **Exclude Computers** after making confirmation permanent:
   1. All computers will receive a confirmation message.
   2. Computers in the **Exclude Computers** list will not receive a confirmation message.
3. If you enable **Always Prompt** after making confirmation permanent:
   1. All computers will receive a confirmation message.
   2. Locked computers and users who have logged off will also receive a confirmation message.
4. If you enable both **Always Prompt** and **Exclude Computers** after making confirmation permanent:
   1. All computers will receive a confirmation message.
   2. Computers in the **Exclude Computers** list will not receive a confirmation message.
   3. Locked computers and users who have logged off will receive a confirmation message.

### Excluding Computers

You can exclude computers from receiving a user-confirmation message. When excluded, you can connect to them immediately without user approval.

If user confirmation is permanent, ensure the **Exclude Computers** checkbox is selected so listed computers do not receive confirmation messages.

To exclude computers:

1. Click the **Tools** tab.
2. Click **Remote Control**.
3. Click the **User Confirmation** tab.
4. In the **Exclude Computers** section, click **Add Computers**.
5. Filter computers as required (for example, by domain).
6. Select the computers to exclude.
7. Click **OK**.

These settings are effective only when the User Confirmation checkbox is enabled.

### Idle Session Settings

You can enhance remote control security using the idle session timeout feature. When no actions are performed on the remote computer, the session is considered idle. If the idle time exceeds the specified limit, the session is disconnected and the remote machine is locked automatically.

To configure idle session settings:

1. Click the **Tools** tab.
2. Select **Remote Control**.
3. Click the **Settings** tab.
4. Enable the **Idle Session Settings** checkbox.
5. Specify the maximum idle time limit.
6. Select the action to perform when the limit is exceeded:
   1. Disconnect the remote connection
   2. Disconnect and lock the remote connection
7. Click **Save Changes**.

You have configured the idle session settings successfully.