When it comes to using Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), a smooth and responsive experience can make all the difference. By default, Windows RDP is limited to 30 frames per second (fps), which may not be ideal for those seeking a remote desktop like local machine experience. Luckily, there are ways to optimize Windows RDP to improve its performance and increase the frame rate up to 60 fps, making remote sessions feel almost like working directly on the local machine. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to improve RDP speed and enjoy a lag-free remote desktop experience.
Why Increase RDP Frame Rate?
For users who rely on remote desktop connections, particularly for tasks that involve video playback, animations, or any graphics-intensive work, the default 30fps can feel sluggish. By optimizing the RDP settings, we can push the frame rate to almost 60fps, doubling the default performance. This tweak significantly enhances the Windows RDP performance, providing a smoother and more fluid user experience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improve RDP Frame Rate
Follow these 5 steps to optimize your RDP settings and increase the frame rate:
Step 1. Open Group Policy Editor!
Start by opening the Windows Start Menu. Type “Edit Group Policy” and hit Enter in the Windows search bar. This will launch the Group Policy Editor, which allows you to manage and configure Windows settings.
If your machine did not show “Group Policy Editor” in the Windows search, expand this section by just clicking on this sentence to get steps to install it! 👆
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard and search for “Command Prompt” in the Windows search.
- Right-click Command Prompt from the result and click Run as Administrator.
- Execute the below codes in the command prompt and make sure to reboot the system after successful completion of the below codes in the Command Prompt.
FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")
After rebooting the device, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the command gpedit.msc to open Group Policy Editor.
Step 2. Navigate to Remote Desktop Services Settings!
In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Administrative Templates > Windows Components. Scroll down and find Remote Desktop Services. Expand this section and go to Remote Desktop Session Host > Remote Session Environment.
Step 3. Enable H.264/AVC 444 Graphics Mode!
Look for the policy named “Prioritize H.264/AVC 444 Graphics Mode for Remote Desktop Connections”.
Double-click on this policy to open its settings.
Set the policy to Enabled. This will prioritize the use of H.264/AVC 444 graphics mode, which is designed to optimize video and graphic performance over remote sessions.
Step 5. Restart Your Machine!
After enabling the policy, restart your computer to apply the changes. Once the machine reboots, you should notice a significant improvement in the frame rate, approaching up to 60fps, thus enhancing the overall “Lag-Free Remote Desktop” experience.
Additional Tip: Enable Hardware Encoding
To further optimize Windows RDP performance, you can experiment with enabling hardware encoding. Hardware encoding can offload the encoding process to your GPU, potentially reducing CPU usage and improving performance. However, results can vary based on your hardware configuration.
To do it: Go back to the Remote Session Environment section in Group Policy Editor. Look for the option to enable hardware encoding for RDP sessions. Double-click on it and enable that option and apply the changes.
Now, restart your machine and test the RDP performance. While enabling hardware encoding can improve performance, some users have reported mixed results. It may depend on the specific hardware setup of your machine.
By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively improve RDP speed and enjoy a remote desktop like local machine experience. These tweaks make RDP more responsive and suitable for a broader range of tasks, from everyday work to more demanding applications. While the performance benefits of enabling hardware encoding may vary, the initial step of prioritizing H.264/AVC 444 graphics mode can significantly boost your frame rate, providing a smoother and more enjoyable remote desktop experience.
