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# Mac OSX Error connecting with RDP to Windows Server
- URL: https://brianchristner.io/mac-osx-error-connecting-with-rdp-to-windows-server/
- Published: 2015-02-17T08:41:14.000Z
- Updated: 2022-01-09T20:20:42.000Z
- Author: Brian Christner

I was having trouble creating an RDP client for Mac to a Windows Server. When I RDP to tha same Windows machine from another Windows machine everything worked as advertised.

When I opened a RDP connection from my Mac to the Windows Server I would ge the following error: *"Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer that you want to connect to"*  
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/50/2950930d-60f2-422c-90aa-232fbd4873b6/content/images/2015/02/Cannot_Verify_Identity_Mac_Rdp.png)

Since I was able to connect from a Windows Machine I was under the assumption that the RDP problem layed with my Mac. Wrong!

After trolling the internet for ages I finally found the fix.

## How to fix the Mac OSX RDP Error:

On the Windows Server you are trying to RDP to perform the following

- Ensure that RDP is enabled on the Windows Server and that the Firewall allows RDP.
- Open the Management Console (mmc.exe)
- Add the 'Local Computer Policy' snap-in  
Goto: -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Security
- Change the following two settings from their default (be aware that there might be a reason that MSFT has decided to set them to default. It might be advisable to revise those settings after a new Mac RDP client has been released)
- **'Require use of specific for remote desktop (RDP) connections' from 'Default' to 'Enabled', then select 'RDP' in the options pane**
- **'Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentications' to 'Disabled'**  
**Restart the 'Remote Desktop Service' or simply restart the computer**

I was able to connect to various versions of Windows Server with this fix.

Credit -[Microsoft Technet](http://https//social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/0b865c92-5e0b-4518-9092-790aed895f5b/remote-desktop-connection-for-mac-os-x-cannot-connect-to-windows-81?forum=w81previtpro&ref=brianchristner.io)

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