How to Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10


You can use the Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) or Microsoft Remote Desktop app to connect to and control your Windows 10 PC from a remote device. When you allow remote desktop connections to your PC, you can use another device to connect to your PC and have access to all of your apps, files, and network resources as if you were sitting at your desk.

By default, administrators and added Remote Desktop Users are allowed to connect (log on) remotely to your computer through Remote Desktop Services.

See also: Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs

This tutorial will show you how to deny specific users and groups to log on with a Remote Desktop connection in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to deny users and groups to log on through Remote Desktop Services.

This Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services policy will override the Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services policy.


 CONTENTS:

  • Option One: Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Local Security Policy
  • Option Two: Undeny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Local Security Policy
  • Option Three: Deny or Undeny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Command Prompt





OPTION ONE

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Local Security Policy


Local Security Policy is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Three below.

1. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type secpol.msc into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Local Security Policy.

2. Expand open Local Policies in the left pane of Local Security Policy, click/tap on User Rights Assignment, and double click/tap on the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services policy in the right pane. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-1.jpg

3. Click/tap on the Add User or Group button. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-2.png

4. Click/tap on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-3.png

5. Click/tap on the Object Types button. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-4.png

6. Check all the boxes for Object types, and click/tap on the OK. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-5.png

7. Click/tap on the Find Now button, select the name of the user or group (ex: "Guests") you want to add to deny, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

If you like, you can press and hold the Ctrl key to select more than one user and/or group.

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-6.jpg Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-7.jpg

8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-8.png

9. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-9.png

10. When finished, you can close Local Users and Groups if you like.






OPTION TWO

Undeny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Local Security Policy


Local Security Policy is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Three below.

1. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type secpol.msc into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Local Security Policy.

2. Expand open Local Policies in the left pane of Local Security Policy, click/tap on User Rights Assignment, and double click/tap on the Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services policy in the right pane. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-1.jpg

3. Select the user or group (ex: "Guests") you want to remove to undeny, and click/tap on the Remove button. (see screenshot below)

If you like, you can press and hold the Ctrl key to select more than one user and/or group.

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-10.png

4. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Deny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Windows 10-deny_remote_desktop_services_user_rights_assignment-11.png

5. When finished, you can close Local Users and Groups if you like.






OPTION THREE

Deny or Undeny Users and Groups to Log on with Remote Desktop in Command Prompt


1. If you haven't already, you will need to do the following below before continuing on to step 2 below.

A) Download the ntrights.exe file below from the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools.
B) Save the ntrights.zip file to your desktop, and unblock it.

C) Open the ntrights.zip file, copy or move the ntrights.exe file into your C:\Windows\System32 folder, and click/tap on Continue to approve.

2. Open an elevated command prompt.

3. Type the command you want below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

(Add user or group to allow)
ntrights +r SeDenyRemoteInteractiveLogonRight -u "User or Group"

OR

(Remove user or group to prevent)
ntrights -r SeDenyRemoteInteractiveLogonRight -u "User or Group"

Substitute User or Group in the command above with the actual name of the user or group (ex: "Guests) you want to add or remove for this policy.

For example: ntrights +r SeDenyRemoteInteractiveLogonRight -u "Guests"

4. When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


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