Force Disconnect Idle Terminal Services Sessions

Addressing Terminal Server Connection Limits in Windows Server 2000/2003

Administrators of servers utilizing Windows Server 2000 or 2003 often face the challenge of active sessions remaining registered even after disconnection. This can lead to a common error message: "The terminal server has exceeded the maximum number of allowed connections."

Preventing Connection Issues with Idle Session Management

A proactive approach to mitigating this issue involves configuring a server policy to automatically disconnect idle sessions. This ensures resources are freed up and connection limits are not prematurely reached.

To implement this setting, navigate to Administrative Tools and then select Terminal Services Configuration. Within the left-hand pane, click on Connections. Subsequently, right-click on RDP-Tcp and choose Properties.

The subsequent window will display several tabs. Select the Sessions tab to access the relevant configuration options.

Configuring Idle Session Limits

Within the Sessions tab, it is crucial to check the box labeled "Override user settings." This ensures the server-level policy takes precedence over individual user configurations.

Adjust the idle session limit to a suitable duration, such as one hour. Shorter limits can be implemented if desired, depending on the specific environment and user needs.

Select the "Disconnect from session" radio button to specify the action taken when the session limit is reached. This will automatically mark sessions as disconnected on the server.

Important Note: The session state will be preserved exactly as it was prior to disconnection. However, the server will register the session as disconnected, allowing users to reconnect and resume their work.

By implementing these settings, you can effectively manage terminal server connections, prevent resource exhaustion, and ensure a smoother user experience.