How to Exit Remote Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Many modern industries leverage remote work to cut costs and optimize productivity. And to achieve effective remote work, professionals must engage in remote sessions through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
Learning how to operate remote sessions is as important as knowing how to disconnect remote desktop connections properly. A session left unopened when unused is at risk of unauthorized access and data breach.
In this article, we provide an in-depth discussion on how to exit remote desktop correctly. Thus, you can easily disconnect, log out, or even troubleshoot a remote session in a secure fashion.
Option 1:Quickly Disconnect Remote Desktop Connection
Best use case:This method is ideal for users who intend to resume their session later without fully logging off. Temporarily disconnecting preserves the session’s state, allowing for a seamless return.
To do this, press the “X” button at the top-right corner of the Remote Desktop Window. If you’re in full-screen mode, simply move your cursor to the top of the screen to reveal the toolbar, then click “X.”
You can also press Alt + F4 to bring up the disconnect options.
Option 2: Log Off Remote Desktop for Security Purposes
It’s crucial to completely log off remote desktop session when using a shared or public computer. This is to prevent unauthorized access to your system.
Sign out using Ctrl + Alt + End
Best use case: This method is super quick and easy, perfect for logging off a session when you’re directly on the machine. It’s great for personal use or when you just need to quickly disconnect a session without any hassle.
To close remote desktop connection by logging out you can click on the start menu, select your User Profile, and press “Sign Out.” You may also use the Ctrl + Alt + End keyboard shortcut to bring up the security options where you can select Sign out.
Log Off Using Command Prompt (Query User)
- On the remote machine, right-click the Start menu and select “Command Prompt” to open the terminal window.
- In Command Prompt, type query user and press Enter.This will display a list of all active sessions, including their session ID.
- Locate your session in the list and note the Session ID.
- To log off the session, type
logoff <SessionID>, replacing <SessionID> with the actual session ID. Press Enter to execute. The remote session will be logged off, freeing up system resources. - Run the query user command again to ensure the session no longer appears in the list.
Option 3: End Remote Desktop Session Using TSDISCON
Best use case: In some cases, the RDP session may freeze, making the remote connection unresponsive. In such situations, the usual methods may not work. This is the best way to forcefully terminate a session when things go wrong.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Run query session to identify the session ID of the active session you wish to disconnect.
- Execute tsdiscon <SessionID> /server:<ServerName> to disconnect the session, replacing <SessionID> with the identified session ID and <ServerName> with the server’s name or IP address.
- Press Enter to disconnect the specified session immediately.
Option 4: End the Remote Desktop Process via Task Manager
Best use case: Forcefully ending a Remote Desktop session is useful when the session becomes unresponsive. This action can be performed locally without requiring administrative credentials on the remote machine.
- Open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Navigate to the Processes tab.
- Locate mstsc.exe (the Remote Desktop process).
- Select it and click End Task.
HelpWire: A Secure Alternative to Remote Desktop Protocol
RPD is a prominent tool among remote workers. However, it has limited security and functionality. Fortunately, there are secure and innovative platforms like Helpwire that can improve your remote desktop sessions.
HelpWire is a remote access service software that empowers IT professionals and businesses with cutting-edge remote desktop tools for Windows, MacOS, and Linux machines. It enables users to swiftly initiate remote support sessions with clients without complex configurations or lengthy setups.
Boost Productivity With HelpWire’s Top Features
Superior Security: HelpWire uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that all data transmissions in remote connections remain private and secure.
Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility: Unlike RDP, which supports Windows exclusively, HelpWire works across multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux devices.
Intuitive UI: Access tools and functionalities with ease through HelpWire’s beginner-friendly interface.
Top-level Remote Management Tools: Administrators gain greater remote control and access as HelpWire has advanced built-in tools for monitoring and managing remote sessions.
Quick and Easy Session Configuration: No need for virtual private networks (VPNs) or complex network configurations as HelpWire provides tools to start sessions with a few clicks.
Wrap Up: How to Get Out of Remote Desktop Hassle-free?
There are multiple ways to properly disconnect from a remote session. To disconnect fast, you can close the window or use the session toolbar. But if you prefer to sign out completely, you can use the Windows Start Menu or Command Prompt. And if the session freezes, you can force exit or a system restart to resolve the issue.
To enjoy secure and stress-free remote sessions, consider HelpWire. We offer an intuitive, cross-platform solution with advanced security features through end-to-end encryption. With HelpWire, you can start a remote session quickly without technical network configurations.