How to Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10


You can download and install the free Microsoft Remote Desktop app and use it to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. The app helps you be productive no matter where you are.

If you use the Remote Desktop app in Windows 10, you can manually backup your settings, connections, credentials, and groups to manually restore as needed to any account on any Windows 10 PC that has the app installed.

When you restore items from a backup, the following will happen:
  • Settings - Settings from the backup will replace what is currently set.
  • Connections - Connections and their specific settings from the backup will be added. Your current connections will not be replaced unless one is the same as one from the backup.
  • Credentials - Credentials (user accounts) for your connections from the backup will be added. Your current credentials will not be replaced unless one is the same as one from the backup.
  • Groups - Groups from the backup will be added. Your current groups will not be replaced.

This tutorial will show you how to manually backup and restore all or specific items of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app in Windows 10.


 CONTENTS:



EXAMPLE: Remote Desktop app
Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-remote_desktop_app.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Backup Items from Remote Desktop app


1. If the Remote Desktop app is currently open, close it.

2. Open File Explorer (Win+E), copy and paste the folder location below for what you want to backup into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.

This locations below are for the current account.

(everything)
%LocalAppData%\Packages

OR

(Credentials, Groups, or Settings)
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\RemoteDesktopData

OR

(Connections)
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\RemoteDesktopData\LocalWorkspace

3. Copy the folder or file below from the location in step 2 to your desktop for what you want to backup. (see screenshots below)

(everything)
Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-packages.png

OR

(Credentials)
credentials folder

OR

(Groups)
groups folder

OR

(Settings)
GeneralSettings.model file

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-remotedesktopdata.png

OR

(Connections)
connections folder

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-localworkspace.png

4. Move this file or folder to where want to keep it saved at as your backup. Do not rename this file or folder.

5. You can now close File Explorer if you like.






OPTION TWO

To Restore Items to Remote Desktop app


1. If the Remote Desktop app is currently open, close it.

2. Open File Explorer (Win+E), copy and paste the folder location below for what you want to restore into the address bar of File Explorer, and press Enter.

This locations below are for the current account.

(everything)
%LocalAppData%\Packages

OR

(Credentials, Groups, or Settings)
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\RemoteDesktopData

OR

(Connections)
%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\RemoteDesktopData\LocalWorkspace

3. Copy and paste the backup of the folder or file below from Option One into the folder from step 2 for what you want to restore. (see screenshots below)

(everything)
Microsoft.RemoteDesktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe folder

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-packages.png

OR

(Credentials)
credentials folder

OR

(Groups)
groups folder

OR

(Settings)
GeneralSettings.model file

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-remotedesktopdata.png

OR

(Connections)
connections folder

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-localworkspace.png

4. When prompted, click/tap on Replace the files in the destination. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore Remote Desktop app in Windows 10-copy_and_replace.jpg

5. You can now close File Explorer if you like.


That's it,
Shawn