Multi Remote Desktop Client .NET

2009-04-11T08:40:00.000-07:00

Screenshots . Code Snippets . Features . History

Introduction

Comes on handy when managing your RDP connections. A friendly user interface for you to work and navigate easily.

Background

Thanks to AxInterop.MSTSCLib (mstscax.dll) It's an ActiveX COM Component which you can use to connect on your Remote Desktop. So, I made a GUI for it for you to connect on your servers via terminal service on multiple window view in one application. How to use MSTSCAX.DLL?

You must have the ActiveX file in your system called "mstscax.dll".
if not, then you can Google for the file and download it, then make sure you registered it using "RegSvr32 ". I think that's one of the IIS package if you installed the Remote Desktop Web Connection.
On the UI Design mode in VS2005 or 8.

go to your toolbox and Open Choose Toolbox Items and look for Microsoft RDP Client Control in COM Components tab.
I'm guessing you successfully added that control in your toolbar. So I don't think I have to explain how to get that in your Form.

Source Codes or Binaries can be downloaded in
CodePlex or CodeProject

Though this is not the latest source code but it's working

Screen Shots

2009-04-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

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Screen shots from Windows Vista (click the image for large preview)

Splashscreen	Startup Password - A password screen will show up each time you start the application.	Main Window - A tabbed and multi window environment for easy window navigation.
Server list views - Server panel which lists the RDP servers in group name view - It can also be shown in different views such as: Tree, Small lists, and Large lists.	Collapse/Expand - Server panel can also be resize its width, expand, and collapse so you can have more space for you RDP window.	Group Manager - A Group manager can be used to manage the type of servers.
Import RDP File - One main feature of MRDC.NET is; You can import the RDP files created on Remote Desktop Connection application included in Windows XP and Vista	Export RDP File - You can also export the RDP files to .RDP format.	Configuration - Configuration window. Here you can setup your startup password and UI display
About

Code Snippets

2009-04-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

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A simple example code on connecting to RDP hosts desktop
Well the basic thing you need to know for you to connect on your server is ..

Connection Settings

// for example, I have my AxMsRdpClient control named rdpClient.
rdpClient.Server = "sever name here";
rdpClient.UserName = "your username on remote pc";
rdpClient.AdvancedSettings2.ClearTextPassword = "you password on remote pc";
// optional
rdpClient.ColorDepth = 16; // int value can be 8, 15, 16, or 24

rdpClient.DesktopWidth = 1024; // int value
rdpClient.DesktopHeight = 768; // int value
rdpClient.FullScreen = true|false; // boolean value that can be True or False
// and connect
rdpClient.Connect();

Going Fullscreen in runtime? Fairly Easy!

// just set the Fullsceen property to TRUE
rdpClient.Fullscreen = true;

// strecth the screen
rdpClient.AdvanceSettings3.SmartSizing = true;

Points of interest

I implemented a Reconnect feature. But its not easy as calling Disconnect() and Connect().
You should wait until it properly disconnected and call Connect().

How to do is? Simple, in AxMsRdpClient, there's a Connect property which acts as a Connection Status:

1 = Connected
0 = Disconnected

Now reconnecting can be done by doing this:

// call Disconnect() method on AxMsRdpClient
// wait for the server to properly disconnect
while (rdpClient.Connected != 0)
{
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(1000);
Application.DoEvents();
}

// call Connect() method on AxMsRdpClient

RDPFile Reader version 1.0 class - Which is used to read RDP files

/*
    Author: Jayson Ragasa | aka: Nullstring
    Application Developer - Anomalist Designs LLC
 *  ---
 *  RDPFileReader 1.0
 *  
 *  RDP File Settings - http://dev.remotenetworktechnology.com/ts/rdpfile.htm
 *  Terminal Services Team Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/ts/archive/2008/09/02/specifying-the-ts-client-start-location-on-the-virtual-desktop.aspx
*/
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
using System.IO;

namespace RDPFileReader
{
public class RDPFile
{
 #region enum

 public enum KeyboardHooks
 {
     ON_THE_LOCAL_COMPUTER = 0,
     ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER = 1,
     IN_FULL_SCREEN_MODE_ONLY = 2
 };

 public enum AudioModes
 {
     BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER = 0,
     DO_NOT_PLAY = 1,
     LeAVE_AT_REMOTE_COMOPUTER = 2
 };

 public enum WindowState : int
 {
     NORMAL = 1,
     MAXMIZE = 3
 }

 public enum SessionBPPs
 {
     BPP_8 = 8,
     BPP_15 = 15,
     BPP_16 = 16,
     BPP_24 = 24

 }

 #endregion

 #region structs

 public struct RECT
 {
     public int Top;
     public int Left;
     public int Width;
     public int Height;
 }

 public struct WindowsPosition
 {
     public WindowState WinState;
     public RECT Rect;
 }

 #endregion

 #region variables

 private string _filename = string.Empty;

 #region RDP template
 string[] _rdpTemplate = {
                             "screen mode id:i:{0}",
                             "desktopwidth:i:{1}",
                             "desktopheight:i:{2}",
                             "session bpp:i:{3}",
                             "winposstr:s:0,{4},{5},{6},{7},{8}",
                             "full address:s:{9}",
                             "compression:i:{10}",
                             "keyboardhook:i:{11}",
                             "audiomode:i:{12}",
                             "redirectdrives:i:{13}",
                             "redirectprinters:i:{14}",
                             "redirectcomports:i:{15}",
                             "redirectsmartcards:i:{16}",
                             "displayconnectionbar:i:{17}",
                             "autoreconnection enabled:i:{18}",
                             "username:s:{19}",
                             "domain:s:{20}",
                             "alternate shell:s:{21}",
                             "shell working directory:s:{22}",
                             "password 51:b:{23}",
                             "disable wallpaper:i:{24}",
                             "disable full window drag:i:{25}",
                             "disable menu anims:i:{26}",
                             "disable themes:i:{27}",
                             "disable cursor setting:i:{28}",
                             "bitmapcachepersistenable:i:{29}"
                         };
 #endregion

 #region member fields

 int _screenMode = 0;
 int _desktopWidth = 0;
 int _desktopHeight = 0;
 SessionBPPs _sessionBPP = 0;
 WindowsPosition _winPosStr;
 string _fullAddress = string.Empty;
 int _compression = 0;
 KeyboardHooks _keyboardHook = 0;
 AudioModes _audiomode = 0;
 int _redirectDrives = 0;
 int _redirectPrinters = 0;
 int _redirectComPorts = 0;
 int _redirectSmartCards = 0;
 int _displayConnectionBar = 0;
 int _autoReconnectionEnabled = 0;
 string _username = string.Empty;
 string _domain = string.Empty;
 string _alternateShell = string.Empty;
 string _shellWorkingDirectory = string.Empty;
 string _password = string.Empty;
 int _disableWallpaper = 0;
 int _disableFullWindowDrag = 0;
 int _disableMenuAnims = 0;
 int _disableThemes = 0;
 int _disableCursorSettings = 0;
 int _bitmapCachePersistEnable = 0;

 #endregion

 #endregion

 #region properties

 public int ScreenMode
 {
     get
     {
         return this._screenMode;
     }
     set
     {
         this._screenMode = value;
     }
 }

 public int DesktopWidth
 {
     get
     {
         return this._desktopWidth;
     }
     set
     {
         this._desktopWidth = value;
     }
 }

 public int DesktopHeight
 {
     get
     {
         return this._desktopHeight;
     }
     set
     {
         this._desktopHeight = value;
     }
 }

 public SessionBPPs SessionBPP
 {
     get
     {
         return this._sessionBPP;
     }
     set
     {
         this._sessionBPP = value;
     }
 }

 public WindowsPosition WinPosStr
 {
     get
     {
         return this._winPosStr;
     }
     set
     {
         this._winPosStr = value;
     }
 }

 public string FullAddress
 {
     get
     {
         return this._fullAddress;
     }
     set
     {
         this._fullAddress = value;
     }
 }

 public int Compression
 {
     get
     {
         return this._compression;
     }
     set
     {
         this._compression = value;
     }
 }

 public KeyboardHooks KeyboardHook
 {
     get
     {
         return this._keyboardHook;
     }
     set
     {
         this._keyboardHook = value;
     }
 }

 public AudioModes AudioMode
 {
     get
     {
         return this._audiomode;
     }
     set
     {
         this._audiomode = value;
     }
 }

 public int RedirectDrives
 {
     get
     {
         return this._redirectDrives;
     }
     set
     {
         this._redirectDrives = value;
     }
 }

 public int RedirectPrinters
 {
     get
     {
         return this._redirectPrinters;
     }
     set
     {
         this._redirectPrinters = value;
     }
 }

 public int RedirectComPorts
 {
     get
     {
         return this._redirectComPorts;
     }
     set
     {
         this._redirectComPorts = value;
     }
 }

 public int RedirectSmartCards
 {
     get
     {
         return this._redirectSmartCards;
     }
     set
     {
         this._redirectSmartCards = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisplayConnectionBar
 {
     get
     {
         return this._displayConnectionBar;
     }
     set
     {
         this._displayConnectionBar = value;
     }
 }

 public int AutoReconnectionEnabled
 {
     get
     {
         return this._autoReconnectionEnabled;
     }
     set
     {
         this._autoReconnectionEnabled = value;
     }
 }

 public string Username
 {
     get
     {
         return this._username;
     }
     set
     {
         this._username = value;
     }
 }

 public string Domain
 {
     get
     {
         return this._domain;
     }
     set
     {
         this._domain = value;
     }
 }

 public string AlternateShell
 {
     get
     {
         return this._alternateShell;
     }
     set
     {
         this._alternateShell = value;
     }
 }

 public string ShellWorkingDirectory
 {
     get
     {
         return this._shellWorkingDirectory;
     }
     set
     {
         this._shellWorkingDirectory = value;
     }
 }

 public string Password
 {
     get
     {
         return this._password;
     }
     set
     {
         this._password = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisableWallpaper
 {
     get
     {
         return this._disableWallpaper;
     }
     set
     {
         this._disableWallpaper = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisableFullWindowDrag
 {
     get
     {
         return this._disableFullWindowDrag;
     }
     set
     {
         this._disableFullWindowDrag = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisableMenuAnims
 {
     get
     {
         return this._disableMenuAnims;
     }
     set
     {
         this._disableMenuAnims = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisableThemes
 {
     get
     {
         return this._disableThemes;
     }
     set
     {
         this._disableThemes = value;
     }
 }

 public int DisableCursorSettings
 {
     get
     {
         return this._disableCursorSettings;
     }
     set
     {
         this._displayConnectionBar = value;
     }
 }

 public int BitmapCachePersistEnable
 {
     get
     {
         return this._bitmapCachePersistEnable;
     }
     set
     {
         this._bitmapCachePersistEnable = value;
     }
 }

 #endregion

 #region methods

 public void Read(string filepath)
 {
     this._filename = filepath;

     string data = string.Empty;

     using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(filepath))
     {
         data = reader.ReadToEnd();
     }

     string[] settings = data.Split(new string[] { "\r\n" }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);

     foreach (string thisSetting in settings)
     {
         string regex = "(?<type>.*)\\:(?<dtype>\\w)\\:(?<value>.*)";
  
         RegexOptions options = ((RegexOptions.IgnorePatternWhitespace | RegexOptions.Multiline) | RegexOptions.IgnoreCase);
         Regex reg = new Regex(regex, options);

         if (reg.IsMatch(thisSetting))
         {
             Match m = reg.Match(thisSetting);

             string v = m.Groups["value"].Value;

             switch (m.Groups["type"].Value)
             {
                 case "screen mode id":
                     this._screenMode = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "desktopwidth":
                     this._desktopWidth = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "desktopheight":
                     this._desktopHeight = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "session bpp":
                     this._sessionBPP = (SessionBPPs)int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "winposstr":
                     string[] vals = v.Split(',');

                     this._winPosStr.WinState = (WindowState)int.Parse(vals[1]);

                     this._winPosStr.Rect.Top = int.Parse(vals[2]);
                     this._winPosStr.Rect.Left = int.Parse(vals[3]);
                     this._winPosStr.Rect.Width = int.Parse(vals[4]);
                     this._winPosStr.Rect.Height = int.Parse(vals[5]);

                     break;

                 case "full address":
                     this._fullAddress = v;
                     break;
              
                 case "compression":
                     this._compression = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "keyboardhook":
                     this._keyboardHook = (KeyboardHooks)int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "audiomode":
                     this._audiomode = (AudioModes)int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "redirectdrives":
                     this._redirectDrives = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "redirectprinters":
                     this._redirectPrinters = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "redirectcomports":
                     this._redirectComPorts = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "redirectsmartcards":
                     this._redirectSmartCards = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "displayconnectionbar":
                     this._displayConnectionBar = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "autoreconnection enabled":
                     this._autoReconnectionEnabled = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "username":
                     this._username = v;
                     break;

                 case "domain":
                     this._domain = v;
                     break;

                 case "alternate shell":
                     this._alternateShell = v;
                     break;

                 case "shell working directory":
                     this._shellWorkingDirectory = v;
                     break;

                 case "password 51":
                     this._password = v;
                     break;

                 case "disable wallpaper":
                     this._disableWallpaper = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "disable full window drag":
                     this._disableFullWindowDrag = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "disable menu anims":
                     this._disableMenuAnims = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "disable themes":
                     this._disableThemes = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "disable cursor setting":
                     this._disableCursorSettings = int.Parse(v);
                     break;

                 case "bitmapcachepersistenable":
                     this._bitmapCachePersistEnable = int.Parse(v);
                     break;
             }
         }
     }
 }

 public void Update()
 {
     Save(this._filename);
 }

 public void Save(string filepath)
 {
     this._filename = filepath;

     string template = string.Empty;

     foreach (string temp in this._rdpTemplate)
     {
         template += temp + "\r\n";
     }

     string data = string.Format(template,
         this._screenMode,
         this._desktopWidth,
         this._desktopHeight,
         (int)this._sessionBPP,
         (int)this._winPosStr.WinState, this._winPosStr.Rect.Top, this._winPosStr.Rect.Left, this._winPosStr.Rect.Width, this._winPosStr.Rect.Height,
         this._fullAddress,
         this._compression,
         (int)this._keyboardHook,
         (int)this._audiomode,
         this._redirectDrives,
         this._redirectPrinters,
         this._redirectComPorts,
         this._redirectSmartCards,
         this._displayConnectionBar,
         this._autoReconnectionEnabled,
         this._username,
         this._domain,
         this._alternateShell,
         this._shellWorkingDirectory,
         this._password,
         this._disableWallpaper,
         this._disableFullWindowDrag,
         this._disableMenuAnims,
         this._disableThemes,
         this._disableCursorSettings,
         this._bitmapCachePersistEnable
     );

     using (StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(filepath))
     {
         writer.Write(data);
     }
 }

 #endregion
}
}

We also have DataProtection class which was provided by Microsoft and a little bit of modification and some methods to implement such as converting Byte[] < to > Hex blob. We could create a MSTSC valid password.

Thanks to
Building Secure ASP.NET Applications: Authentication, Authorization, and Secure Communication
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa302402.aspx#secnetht07_topic4
- Implementing CryptProtectData and CryptUnprotectData from Crypt32.DLL

Remko Weijnen - "psw" descriptor on CryptProtectData
http://www.remkoweijnen.nl/blog/2007/10/18/how-rdp-passwords-are-encrypted/#comment-900

Now I have created a wrapper called DataProtectionForRDPWrapper to easily Encrypt and Decrypt RDP password CREATED in DataProtection class. Why did I emphasize the "created" word. Some limitation on DataProtection class is, we can't decrypt the password created by MSTSC and still under research.

Here's the DataProtectionForRDPWrapper wrapper:

/*
Author: Jayson Ragasa | aka: Nullstring
Application Developer - Anomalist Designs LLC
 * 
 * --
 * Made a wrapper for DataProtector so I could
 * Encrypt/Decrypt valid password for RDP
 * 
 * TAKE NOTE:
 * This can't Decrypt MSTSC Password!
*/
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;

namespace DataProtection
{
public class DataProtectionForRDPWrapper
{
 static DataProtection.DataProtector dp = new DataProtector(DataProtector.Store.USE_USER_STORE);

 public static string Encrypt(string text_password)
 {
     byte[] e = dp.Encrypt(GetBytes(text_password), null, "psw");
     return GetHex(e);
 }

 public static string Decrypt(string enc_password)
 {
     byte[] b = ToByteArray(enc_password);
     byte[] d = dp.Decrypt(b, null, "psw");
     return GetString(d);
 }

 static byte[] GetBytes(string text)
 {
     return UnicodeEncoding.Unicode.GetBytes(text);
 }

 static string GetString(byte[] byt)
 {
     System.Text.Encoding enc = System.Text.Encoding.Unicode;
     return enc.GetString(byt);
 }

 static string GetHex(byte[] byt_text)
 {
     string ret = string.Empty;

     for (int i = 0; i < byt_text.Length; i++)
     {
         ret += Convert.ToString(byt_text[i], 16).PadLeft(2, '0').ToUpper();
     }

     return ret;
 }

 static byte[] ToByteArray(String HexString)
 {
     try
     {
         int NumberChars = HexString.Length;
         byte[] bytes = new byte[NumberChars / 2];
         for (int i = 0; i < NumberChars; i += 2)
         {
             bytes[i / 2] = Convert.ToByte(HexString.Substring(i, 2), 16);
         }
         return bytes;
     }
     catch (Exception ex)
     {
         // this occures everytime we decrypt MSTSC generated password.
         // so let's just throw an exception for now
         throw new Exception("Problem converting Hex to Bytes", ex);
     }
 }
}
}

Creating a new RDP File is simply done by doing this.
// RDP Key descriptions found at
// http://dev.remotenetworktechnology.com/ts/rdpfile.htm

RDPFile rdp = new RDPFile();

// we wan't the window to be on a Maximize state
// 1 - windowed
// 2 - fullscreen
rdp.ScreenMode = 1;

// remote desktop resolution
rdp.DesktopWidth = 1024;
rdp.DesktopHeight = 768;

/* remote desktop color depth
public enum SessionBPPs
{
BPP_8 = 8,
BPP_15 = 15,
BPP_16 = 16,
BPP_24 = 24
}
*/
rdp.SessionBPP = SessionBPPs.BPP_16

/* how the window will look?
Terminal Services Team Blog explained the "winposstr" key!
The location on the virtual desktop where the TS Client initially positions itself can be controlled via the winposstr setting in the RDP file
winposstr:s:0,ShowCmd,Left,Top,Right,Bottom
*/
RDPFile.WindowsPosition winpos = new RDPFile.WindowsPosition();
RDPFile.RECT r = new RDPFile.RECT();
r.Top = 0;
r.Left = 0;
r.Width = ss.DesktopWidth;
r.Height = ss.DesktopHeight;
winpos.Rect = r;
/* this is equal to ShowCmd from Terminal Services Team Blog
public enum WindowState : int
{
NORMAL = 1,
MAXMIZE = 3
}
*/
winpos.WinState = RDPFile.WindowState.MAXMIZE;

rdp.WinPosStr = winpos; // set all our winposstr from the obove configuration
rdp.FullAddress = "192.168.1.1" // your server name or ip address;
rdp.Compression = 1; // RemoteNetworkTechnology didn't fully explanied this but looks like this is needed for faster data transfer

/* For applying standard key combinations
public enum KeyboardHooks
{
ON_THE_LOCAL_COMPUTER = 0,
ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER = 1,
IN_FULL_SCREEN_MODE_ONLY = 2
};
*/
rdp.KeyboardHook = RDPFile.KeyboardHooks.ON_THE_REMOTE_COMPUTER;

/* How will the audio from the remote pc be played
public enum AudioModes
{
BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER = 0,
DO_NOT_PLAY = 1,
LeAVE_AT_REMOTE_COMOPUTER = 2
};
*/
rdp.AudioMode = RDPFile.AudioModes.BRING_TO_THIS_COMPUTER;

rdp.RedirectDrives = 0; // should we share our local drives in the remote pc?
rdp.RedirectPrinters = 0; // should we share our printers in the remote pc?
rdp.RedirectComPorts = 0; // should we share our com ports in the remoe pc?
rdp.RedirectSmartCards = 0; // should we share our smart cards in the remote pc?
rdp.DisplayConnectionBar = 1; // will the Connection bar visible when in Fullscreen mode?
rdp.AutoReconnectionEnabled = 1; // do we need to automatically connect?
rdp.Username = "Admin"; // remote pc Username
rdp.Domain = "DomainName"; // remote pc Domain
rdp.AlternateShell = string.Empty; // are we going to use different shell other than C:\Windows\Explorer.exe?
rdp.ShellWorkingDirectory = string.Empty; // Working directory if an alternate shell was specified.

// here's the password implementing our DataProtection and the wrapper
rdp.Password = (ss.Password == string.Empty ? string.Empty : DataProtectionForRDPWrapper.Encrypt(ss.Password));

rdp.DisableWallpaper = 1; // should we disable wallpaper in the remote pc?
rdp.DisableFullWindowDrag = 1; // should we disable the full window drag in the remote pc and just show the box while dragging?
rdp.DisableMenuAnims = 1; // should we disable animations?
rdp.DisableThemes = 1; // should we disable Windows Visual Themes?
rdp.DisableCursorSettings = 1; // should we disable mouse cursor effects?
rdp.BitmapCachePersistEnable = 1; // This setting determines whether bitmaps are cached on the local computer

#region try exporting the file
{
try
{
rdp.Save(@"D:\My Documents\MyRDPConnection.RDP");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show("An error occured while saving the configuration for '" + rdp.FullAddress + "'.\r\n\r\nError Message: " + ex.Message, this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message + "\r\n" + ex.StackTrace);

continue;
}
}
#endregion

Reading RDP Files
string thisFile = @"D:\My Documents\MyRDPConnection.RDP";

#region Read RDP File

RDPFile rdpfile;
{
try
{
rdpfile = new RDPFile();
rdpfile.Read(thisFile);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
MessageBox.Show("An error occured while reading '" + Path.GetFileName(thisFile) + "' and it will be skipped.\r\n\r\nError Message: " + ex.Message, this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(ex.Message + "\r\n" + ex.StackTrace);
}
}

#endregion

Console.Writeline("RDP Username: " + rdpfile.Username);

#region Try decrypting the password from RDP file
{
try
{
System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("reading password " + thisFile);
Console.Writeline("RDP Password: " + DataProtectionForRDPWrapper.Decrypt(rdpfile.Password));
System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("reading password done");
}
catch (Exception Ex)
{
ss.Password = string.Empty;

if (Ex.Message == "Problem converting Hex to Bytes")
{
MessageBox.Show("This RDP File '" + Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + "' contains a secured password which is currently unsported by this application.\r\nThe importing can still continue but without the password.\r\nYou can edit the password later by selecting a server in 'All Listed Servers' and click 'Edit Settings' button on the toolbar", this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Asterisk);
}
else if (Ex.Message.Contains("Exception decrypting"))
{
MessageBox.Show("Failed to decrypt the password from '" + Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + "'", this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
}
else
{
MessageBox.Show("An unknown error occured while decrypting the password from '" + Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(thisFile) + "'", this.Text, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
}
}
}
#endregion

Console.Writeline("RDP Desktop Width: " + rdpfile.DesktopWidth);
Console.Writeline("RDP Desktop Height: " + rdpfile.DesktopHeight);

Updating an RDP File
//RDP File Reader test
RDPFileReader.RDPFile rdp = new RDPFileReader.RDPFile();
rdp.Read(@"D:\My Documents\RDP\Application Server (1120x700-16bitc).rdp");

Console.WriteLine(rdp.WinPosStr.WinState);

// set new Window State
// make window mode maxmize
RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowsPosition wpos = new RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowsPosition();
wpos.Rect = rdp.WinPosStr.Rect;
wpos.WinState = RDPFileReader.RDP.WindowState.MAXMIZE; // change the window state when in window mode.

rdp.WinPosStr = wpos;
rdp.SessionBPP = RDPFileReader.RDP.SessionBPPs.BPP_8; // change the color depth

// and call Update
rdp.Update();

Features

2009-04-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

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Command Line Parameters - requested by: Simon Capewell

/sname "server name"
Can open a new client window by providing a Server Name
/gname "group name"
Can open a multiple client window by specifying the Group Name

Add, Edit, Delete Servers
Those words says all.
Server Settings Window
the Server Settings window.
- In General Tab

Server Name
You can give your connection name
Server
The host address or IP address
Custom Port - requested by: Simon Capewell
Allowing the RDP to connect to different port.
Username
Your RD server Username
Password
Your RD server Password
Description
Your Server description
Group
You can choose the group of your Server. You can also open Group Manager from there

- In Display Tab

Desktop Sizes - some resoutions where requested by: Simon Capewell
- 640 x 480
- 800 x 600
- 1024 x 768
- 1120 x 700
- 1152 x 864
- 1280 x 800
- 1280 x 1024
- Custom Desktop Height and Width
- Fullscreen
Colors
- True Color (24 bit)
- High Color (16 bit)
- High Color (15 bit)
- 256 Colors

Configuration Window
- In General Tab

Password
Your Startup Password

- Display

Hide when Minimize
If Enabled, the window hides and it self and you bring it up anytime by double clicking on notification icon in system tray.
If Disabled, the window just minimized and accessible in taskbar.
Notification Window
If Enabled, Notification window pops up everytime you hover into some controls.
if Disabled, You know what that means ..

Import/Export

Import from RDP file format
You can import your current RDP files
Note: Currently, the password made by MSTSC cannot be decrypted. I Still have to work on this
Export to RDP file format
You can export the servers in RDP file format

Group Manager - requested by: Simon Capewell
Manages the server groups
Database
I implemeted SQLite3 - ADO.NET instead of working with XML and can be very time-consuming

UI Features

Notification Icon
This icon sits on your system tray area and you can right click on it to show the context menu or double click to bring up the window when minimized or hidden.
The context menu items contains:

Servers - And under it contains the Groups and the Servers
Disconnect All
Configuration
Lock
Exit

Lock Application
For safety purposes, a Lock feature is added to lock the current application and the Password Window will show up after locking the application.
Startup Password - requested by: shmulyeng
For safety purposes, a Password feature is added before opening the application.
After entering 3 invalid passwords, CAPTCHA verification will show up in Password Window
Server Lists Panel
You can change the views in Server Lists panel in Detailed, Tiled, and Tree

Conetext Menu in Server Lists Panel - requested by: Simon Capewell and shmulyeng
Context Menu will popup after right clicking on the items and you can Add, Edit, Delete, and Group Connect.
Collapse/Expand Server Lists Panel - requested by: Simon Capewell
You can collapse or expand the server lists panel.
Groups - requested by: Simon Capewell
Servers are arranged by Groups
Different Views - requested by: Simon Capewell
You can set the Server lists view by Detailed, Tiled, and Tree

MDI Tabs - requested by: shmulyeng
Of course, Tabs can be very helpfull when selecting client windows
Disconnect All
Disconnects all connected RD clients.
Client Window
The window for RD connections.

Connect, Disconnect, and Reconnect
This Connects, Disconnects, and Reconnects the RD connection
Fullscreen
Set the RD connection to Fullscreen. It can also ask you to resize the Resolution based on your Desktop Resolution
Fit To Window
The RD resolution can change based on the RD client window
- Fit to Window
- Strech
Settings
Opens the Server Settings

Info Popup Window
This window automatically popups when hoverd on the control showing a description of what the control can do.

Credits

I do give a lot of credits to the People who shared their Ideas, Custom Control, and Codes.
Credits can be found in my About Window

Future Features

Send Keys
More RD settings
RD Virtual Channel
Support VNC connection - using SharpVNC
RD and VNC connection can be viewed as thumbnail on one window.

Release History

2009-04-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

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Full Release - April 11, 2009
ADD:
- Added Hide/Show settings for Information popup window
UPDATE:
- Fixed Server Lists collapse bug when no MDI Child
- Fixed LiveInfoWindow from stealing the focus.
- Fixed database exception in Import Window.
- Group Manager window, redesigned to fit on MRDC.NET layout.
- Updated database schema.
---- Groups table uid is set to auto-increment.

Full Release - April 4, 2009 UPDATE:
- Fixed error when no password is set
- Fixed database scheme
- MSTSC Generated password can now be decrypted!
- Fixed domain name, not saving

Full Release / April 3
UPDATE:
- Fixed stupid RDP Control Focus issue

Full Release / April 2
NEW: - From the requests of Simon Capewell and shmulyeng - Simon Capewell Requests:
--- DONE(03222009_1254)1. Allow connection to servers on a specific port using AdvancedSettings2.RDPPort
--- DONE(03192009_0916)2. More screen resolutions on the slider - most obviously 1152x864 and 1280x1024.
--- DONE(03202009_1341)3. Context menu on the list of servers.
--- DONE(03222009_1254)4. Options for different icon sizes for the list of servers.
--- DONE(03227009_0138)5. Groupings for servers - handy if you have lots of clients each of whom have multiple servers. You could launch sessions for all the items in the group.
--- DONE(03212009_1321)6. Auto hide or view menu option to show/hide the sidebar (similar to Visual Studio).
--- DONE(03192009_0200)7. Clicking Delete Server or Edit Settings when there are no servers throws an exception.

--- Here's another one that's just occurred. I use Launchy to index a directory with a load of .rdp files in it, which means I can just type Ctrl+space then a portion of the server name and launch it. To do that with this tool it'd need to:
--- DONE(03272009_1129)1. Be able to launch a connection from the built in server list from the command line.
--- DONE(03272009_1129)2. Have a command line switch to open the connection in an existing instance of the app.
--- DONE(03272009_1129)3. Perhaps even be able to launch connections from the command line using rdp files rather than the built in server list.
- shmulyeng requests:
--- DONE(03272009_0252)Ability to password protect the server list.
--- DONE(03202009_1341)Ability to right click on a connection item in the list to edit connection details.
--- (WILL TRY) Ability to log out of a connection rather than disconnect.
--- DONE(03212009_1321)One thing I like about Palantir is the tabs of open connections.
- and I added some
- CAPTCHA verfication on startup password.
--- When an incorrrect password is entered 3x, CAPTCH verification panel will show up.
- SQLite3
--- scrap XML!! :P
ADD:
UPDATE:
- The last release was pretty much stable so there's a small updates on the code and some bug fix.

Alpha Release - 6, & 7 / March 19, 2009
NEW:
- Application can now run in Windows Vista.
- Fixed AX MSRDPClient reference
---- Thanks to Simon Capewell (http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Profiles.aspx?mid=215)
-------- RemoteDesktopClient.aspx?fid=1537072&df=90&mpp=25&noise=3&sort=Position&view=Quick&select=2969383#xx2969383xx
MARCH 21
- LiveInformationBox 1.0
--- Is a class library that pops up whenever you hover on a specified control and shows some details about what the controls can do.
--- The information shown on information box is an xml base.
--- this is better than showing some information on a status strip :P
- ListViewEx
--- hooks some control (not just common control) to disable/enable if listview has no item or when a selectio is made on listview items.
--- good for automating controls instead of doing tons of lines just to disable/enable different controls.
MARCH 25
- Am using SQLite3 now instead of XML! :P
---- it's taking too much time to maintain :P
ADD:
UPDATE:
MARCH 20
- Finally it's working on both OS, thanks to that AxImp and thanks to @unruledboy
MARCH 23
- LiveInformationBox
-- now supports toolbar buttons
- Server Lists
-- now collapsable
-- can change icon views
-- context menu
- For RDP client window
-- on main form, now contains tab
- Settings window
-- added more resolution
- ListViewEx for Server Lists
-- control hooks so it can be easily Enable/Disable the controls when something's changed on the listview
- crashes when clicking Edit Settings and Delete when no items on the Server Lists
-- fixes the locking issue on rdp control when lossing its focus - Settings window
-- Connection Port
MARCH 25
- LiveInformationBox
---- fixed the UI
---- still having some problem on window focus.

Alpha Release - 5 / March 17, 2009
NEW:
- Import / Export RDP file format
- Can delete selected server in "All Server List" panel.
- Added new About Window
ADD:
UPDATE:
- Fixed and Improved Fit To Window feature
- Fixed Saving, Importing, and Exporting password handling.

Alpha Release - 2, 3, & 4 / March 7, 2009
NEW:
- ServerList reader moved to a separate Class Library
---- Custom Exception Handler
- TextboxRequiredWrapper moved to a separate Class Library
MARCH 8
- Fixed updating settings bug! MARCH 8 - ServerSettingsWindow
---- added new button("Get client window size"): Set the Desktop Width and Height size base on rdp client window size.
MARCH 9
- Fixed Icon status on Server List if multiple windows are openned.
---- not sure why I didn't noticed that.
MARCH 12
- RDP File Reader
- Used to Read/Create/Update RDP Files
- DataProtection
- Used to Encrypt/Decrypt RDP Passwords and create valid RDP Passwords.
ADD:
MARCH 9
- Added new button on main toolbar called "Disconnect All"
---- which disconnects all connected rdp client.
UPDATED:
- saving a value on "dummy" attribute is now MD5 string
- duplicate check while creating a New or Updating a Connection Settings.
MARCH 8
- Updated xml configuration template
---- added UID element
---- dummy and uid values are now DateTime(MMddyyhhmmss) format
- Password is now encrypted using Rijndael Encryption/Decryption
MARCH 8 - Current configuration on RDP Client Window now updates - Server list now update after settings are changed on RDP Client Window MARCH 8
- Settings can be applied on Server Lists or in Rdp Client Window.

Alpha Release - 1 / March 6, 2009
First release in CodePlex.com