Running Tests in Minimized Remote Desktop Windows

1. On your local computer, close all open Remote Desktop sessions.

2. Launch the Registry editor (regedit.exe).

3. Navigate to one of the following Registry keys, depending on whether you wish to modify the Remote Desktop settings only for the current user or for all users on the computer:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client

   Note: There are security settings and group policies that override the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE keys with the HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys. In this case, modify the Remote Desktop settings in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry key.

4. Create a DWORD value named RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized and set it to 2:

   

   Click the image to enlarge it.

5. On the 64-bit version of Windows, you may have to repeat the previous step for one of the following keys. Similarly, which key to choose depends on whether you want to edit the settings only for the current user or for all users:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client

6. Close the Registry Editor.

Now when you minimize the Remote Desktop Connection window on your computer, this will not affect the remote computer’s GUI and the GUI will be available to your automated tests.

Creating the RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized Registry value causes issues with Microsoft Lync. For instance, Lync may fail to share screens.