Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Last Updated: April 07, 2026

Redirected Printers

A redirected printer, also known as an autocreated printer, is created in a virtual services session based on the printers installed on the end user's device.

When a user prints to a redirected printer in their RDS Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a desktop virtualization solution that delivers virtualized apps, provides secure mobile and remote desktop access, and lets end users run their apps and desktops from the cloud. session, the Microsoft RDS Universal Print Driver sends the unrendered print job over the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) channel to the Client or endpoint device, which spools and sends the print job to the printer.

Set Up a Redirect Printer

Follow these steps to set up a redirect printer:

  1. Install the Client on the endpoint device. For more details refer to Deploy the Client.
  2. Create a Microsoft server policy to redirect the printers.

The policy redirects all printers into the session that includes the default printers. When the end user prints a job, their printer name appears as "<printer name> (from <computer name>)."

Session Printers

Session printers are printers that you install directly on the server. All users who log in to this server share the printers. The server spools and renders all print jobs.

If you configure the Client in Remote Desktop Services (RDS) mode, only printers that users install from the Self-service Portal and printers that you deploy to them appear. When a user installs a new printer, the permissions adjust so that the printer appears in their session.

Set Up a Session Printer

Follow these steps to set up a session printer:

  1. Install the Client on the server.
  2. Configure the Client for RDS mode:

    1. Turn on the Client's RDS mode by creating a new string value named "TerminalServices" with a value of 1 in the following relevant registry key:

      • 64-bit RDS Server: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\PPP\PrinterInstaller.
      • 32-bit RDS Server: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PPP\PrinterInstaller.

    2. Open the Task Manager.

    3. Select the Details tab.

    4. Right-click PrinterInstallerClientLauncher.exe, and select End process tree.

    5. Select the Services tab.

    6. Right-click the PrinterInstallerClientLauncher.exe service, and select Start.

  3. Install printers on the Microsoft server:
    1. Publish the Client, which is located in the apps section.
    2. Then do one of the following:
      • Option One: Configure printer deployments in the Admin Console, which are located in the apps or desktops section. For more details refer to Printer Deployment.
      • Option Two: Navigate to the Self-service Portal, and install printers, which are located in the desktops section.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Image

Install the Client on the parent image:

  1. Go to Tools then Settings then Client.
  2. Scroll down to the Deployable Client Packages section.
  3. Download the Client package for the appropriate operating system (OS).
  4. Place the file on the image.
  5. Run the Client installation package.
  6. Access your Self-service Portal, and enter the authorization code when prompted. For more details refer to Device Authorization.
  7. Optional: Configure override options as needed. For more details refer to Override Options for Windows and Remote Desktop Services (RDS).