Configuring Windows 2008 R2 for GUI-Level Testing

Before you can perform this task, make sure that the Remote Desktop Services server role is installed.

  1. Enable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). RDP is disabled by default.
    1. Open Windows Control Panel > System and Security > System.
    2. Click the Remote Settings link.
    3. Check the checkbox Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure).
    4. Click OK.
  2. Allow RDP users to launch applications remotely.
    1. Navigate to Administrative Tools > Remote Desktop Services > RemoteApp Manager.
    2. Click Change next to RD Session Host Server Settings.
    3. In the Access to unlisted programs group box, check the checkbox Allow users to start both listed and unlisted programs on initial connection.
    4. Click OK.
  3. Allow RDP users to run multiple sessions.
    1. Navigate to Administrative Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration.
    2. Double-click Restrict each user to a single session. The Properties dialog box displays.
    3. Uncheck the checkbox Restrict each user to a single session.
    4. Click OK.
  4. Configure Remote Desktop settings.
    1. Navigate to Administrative Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration.
    2. Right-click Remote Desktop Protocol-TCP (RDP-Tcp) in the Connections list and click Properties.
    3. Click the Log on Settings tab and make sure that Always prompt for password is disabled.
    4. Click the Sessions tab and make sure that Override user settings is selected and that End a disconnected session is set to 1 minute. Make sure that all other settings are disabled or left blank.
    5. Click the Environment tab and make sure that Run initial program specified by user profile and Remote Desktop Connection or client is enabled.
    6. Click the Remote Control tab and make sure that Use remote control with default user settings is enabled.
    7. Click the Network Adapter tab and make sure that All Network adapters configured with this protocol is selected in the Network adapter list.
    8. Click OK.
  5. User Account Control (UAC) is enabled by default, but is not required for GUI-level testing. If you want to leave UAC turned on, the agent must run under a user account. To configure UAC settings:
    1. Navigate to Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts > Change User Account Control Settings.
    2. Modify the UAC notification level as desired.
    3. Click OK.
  6. Using the Windows user and group administration functionality, select the local users that can execute GUI-level tests. Ensure that this user is a member of the Administrators and/or Remote Desktop Users group.
Parent topic: Configuring Windows for GUI-Level Testing