Remote Desktop Connexion - How to listen to multiple ports.

With Remote desktop connections on Microsoft Windows Workstation 2000, Windows XP, Vista, Server 2000, 2003, 2008, it is possible to remotely connect to the operating system using RDP on port 3389.

Sometimes another listening port is needed. The reason I usualy need multiple listening ports is to allow a client to connect to their workstations from the Internet even if the client have an entry level router that do not support forwarding to a different port. Most of the time, small companies only have one public ip address and their router already forwards port 3389 to a server.

In this scenario, we need to change the RDP listening port of the workstation from 3389 to something else. I like to add a 1 digit number after the 3389, like: 33890, 33891, 33892 and so on... This way I can add 10 forwardings to workstations and it is easy to remember. If I need more, I go in the 33900 to 33909 range.

Why add a new port to have multiple listening ports? Why not just change the default port to something else?

I like this solution best because it allows me to still be able to connect to the 3389 default port localy and not have to figure out every time what is the new changed port for a given computer.

Okay, here is the procedure:

Export the registry default port registry key:

1. Start by executing Registry Editor, by clicking on "Start / Run", type regedit then click OK.
2. Browse to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp".
3. Make sure RDP-Tcp is selected on the left pane and click "File / Export".
4. Save the file somewhere easy to locate as RDP-Tcp-3389.reg.

Modify the RDP-Tcp key:

1. Now rename the RDP-Tcp key to RDP-Tcp-33891 (or the port number you what to listen on, name it as you like, it does not change anything, it is only to make it obvious).
2. On the right pane find the binary value "PortNumber".
3. Right now it should be set to the default d3d hexadecimal or 3389 decimal.
4. Change it to 33891 decimal or your choosen port number.

Import the exported RDP-Tcp key:

1. Click "File / Import".
2. Select the exported file we saved as RDP-Tcp-3389.reg and click OK.
3. Regedit will inform you the information contained in the file were written in the registry. Click OK.

That's it, the computer is now listening on both ports. (You may have to reboot the computer).

Important: Do not forget to enable remote connections on this computer, open the firewall if there is one and make sure to check the power options, do not let this computer go to a sleep mode, because then there is no way to remotely connect to it!