Customize MMC with the Remote Desktops Snap-in for Windows 7
Greg Shultz shows you how to install and use the
Remote Desktops Snap-in in Windows 7 to customize the Microsoft
Management Console.
In last week's blog,
"Create a Custom Microsoft Management Console in Windows 7,"
I showed you how to create a custom MMC using the snap-ins found on
your system. I also told you that you could download snap-ins that you
could then add to your custom console. If you regularly use Remote
Desktop Connection in
Windows 7
to connect to multiple systems on your network, you will be very
interested to learn about the Remote Desktops Snap-in, which is designed
to provide you with a centralized location to keep all your regularly
accessed Remote Desktop Connections
The Remote Desktops Snap-in is a part of the
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with SP1 package
that is available for download from the Microsoft Download site. As you
might have surmised from the name, the majority of the tools in the
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with SP1 are designed
to allow IT administrators to manage Windows Server 2003 and 2008
systems. However, the Remote Desktops Snap-in is a useful tool for
anyone who uses Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 7.
In this edition of the
Windows Desktop Report, I'll show you how to install and use the Remote Desktops Snap-in in Windows 7.
System Requirements
The
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with SP1 can be installed only on the Enterprise, Professional, or Ultimate editions of
Windows 7 SP1.
Also, keep in mind that there are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with SP1, so be sure
and select the correct download.
Installation
The Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with SP1 download
is named after a Windows Software Update:
Windows6.1-KB958830-x86-RefreshPkg.msu; so it appears differently from a
regular download package. In fact, once you launch the installation
procedure you'll be prompted to install a Windows software update, as
shown in
Figure A. However, there's no need to worry -- this is simply an update to the Remote Server Administration Tools.
Figure A

The installation begins by asking if you want to install a Windows software update.
Once the package is installed on your system, you will use Windows
7's Programs and Features to install the tools that you want to use. To
begin, click the Start button and type Programs and Features in the
search box. When the Programs and Features shortcut appears in the
results list, select it and press [Enter].
You'll then see the Programs and Features window and will need to select Turn Windows Features On or Off, as shown in
Figure B.
When the Windows Features dialog box appears, scroll down the list and
expand the Remote Server Administration Tools branch. Then, select
Remote Desktop Services Tools check box, as shown in
Figure C. Then, click OK.
Figure B

From the Programs and Features window, select Turn Windows Features On or Off.
Figure C

You'll find the Remote Desktop Services Tools when you expand the Remote Server Administration Tools branch.
Launching the Remote Desktops Snap-in
At this point, you may find a shortcut to Remote Desktops on the
Start menu or you may find the Remote Desktops shortcut on the All
Programs | Administrative Tools menu. Either way, you can also access
Remote Desktops by clicking the Start button and typing Remote Desktops
in the search box.
In addition, keep in mind that Remote Desktop Services Tool actually includes two snap-ins:
- Remote Desktops and
- Remote Desktop Services Manager
Therefore, you can add them to a custom MMC if you want. (I'll
examine the Remote Desktop Services Manager snap-in in more detail in a
future blog post.)
Once the Remote Desktops console launches, it will be ready for you to
begin adding your Remote Desktop connections, as shown in
Figure D.
Figure D

When it first launches, Remote Desktops is empty and ready for you to begin adding your Remote Desktop Connections.
To add your connections, simply right-click on the Remote Desktops icon and select the Add New Connection command, as shown in
Figure E.
Then, when you see the Add New Connection dialog box, fill in the
computer name or IP address and the logon information like I did in
Figure F.
Figure E

You begin by selecting the Add New Connection command.
Figure F

You'll need to fill in the connection details.
Making connections
After you have added your Remote Desktop connections, you can connect
to any one or all of the systems that you have added to the Remote
Desktops console. Keep in mind that the default screen size setting is
set to Expand to Fill MMC Result Pane. Therefore, you'll want to
maximize the Remote Desktops console and may even want to resize the
right pane so that it doesn't use any more screen space than is
necessary to display the names of your connections. (To change the
screen size setting, select the Properties command from the context menu
and then choose the Screen Options tab.)
To make a connection, right-click on the name of a system and select the Connect command, as shown in
Figure G. You'll then see the remote system in the window, as shown in
Figure H. And, best of all you can connect to multiple systems at the same time and easily switch between them, as shown in
Figure I.
Figure G

Right-click and select the Connect command.
Figure H

The remote desktop connection will appear.
Figure I

You can simultaneously connect to and switch between multiple systems.
Source : http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/customize-mmc-with-the-remote-desktops-snap-in-for-windows-7/