Remote Desktop DPI Scaling

If you’ve ever connected to a server or workstation from a SurfacePro or high-res laptop, etc. and found the connection too small to see, this could be the fix for you!

Create mstsc.exe.manifest file

If you don’t already have this file saved in your network or can’t find a suitable download, you can quickly create your own manifest file.

First, open Notepad (or any other text editor) and copy the following content:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>

<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0" xmlns:asmv3="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">

<dependency>
  <dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity
      type="win32"
      name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
      version="6.0.0.0" processorArchitecture="*"
      publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
      language="*">
    </assemblyIdentity>
  </dependentAssembly>
</dependency>

<dependency>
  <dependentAssembly>
    <assemblyIdentity
      type="win32"
      name="Microsoft.VC90.CRT"
      version="9.0.21022.8"
      processorArchitecture="amd64"
      publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b">
    </assemblyIdentity>
  </dependentAssembly>
</dependency>

<trustInfo xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v3">
  <security>
    <requestedPrivileges>
      <requestedExecutionLevel
        level="asInvoker"
        uiAccess="false"/>
    </requestedPrivileges>
  </security>
</trustInfo>

<asmv3:application>
  <asmv3:windowsSettings xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/SMI/2005/WindowsSettings">
    <ms_windowsSettings:dpiAware xmlns:ms_windowsSettings="http://schemas.microsoft.com/SMI/2005/WindowsSettings">false</ms_windowsSettings:dpiAware>
  </asmv3:windowsSettings>
</asmv3:application>

</assembly>

Save this file as “mstsc.exe.manifest” and copy it to %SystemRoot%\System32\ (unless your Remote Desktop Client executable (mstsc.exe) resides elsewhere, for some reason.

Now, you’ll need to add a Registry entry.

Edit the Registry

It’s always a good idea to back up your registry, even when making the most minor of changes.

• Open the Registry Editor (RegEdit)
  • BACKUP REGISTRY
  • Right click the root and export the whole thing to a location of your choosing
• Navigate to the registry key:
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SideBySide
• Right-click and select NEW -> DWORD (32 bit) Value
• Type PreferExternalManifest and then press ENTER
• Right-click PreferExternalManifest, and then click MODIFY
• Enter Value Data 1 and select Decimal.
• Click OK to accept changes
• Exit the Registry Editor

Now you can RDP to low-resolution machines from your high-resolution device and actually be able to see what you’re doing!