Configuring Windows 2012 - 2019 for GUI-Level Testing

Before you can perform this task, make sure that Remote Desktop Services is enabled and that you are logged in with a domain user with administrative privileges on the machine.

  1. Set a time limit for disconnected users.
    Note: The time limit can be set on two levels: either through a Windows group policy or through the Remote Desktop Services Collection. The group policy setting has priority over the Remote Desktop Services Collection setting.
    Group Policy:
    1. Start the Windows Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Session Time Limits.
    2. Double-click Set time limit for disconnected sessions.
    3. Click Enabled.
    4. For End a disconnected session, select 1 minute.
    Remote Desktop Services Collection:
    1. Start the Windows Server Manager and navigate to Remote Desktop Services > Collections > <name of the collection>. In the Properties area, select Edit Properties from the Tasks menu.
    2. On the Session Collection dialog, select Session.
    3. For End a disconnected session, select 1 minute.
    4. Click OK.
  2. Allow RDP users to run multiple sessions and launch all programs.
    1. Start the Windows Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections.
    2. Double-click Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop Services session.
    3. Click the Disabled option.
    4. Click OK.
    5. Double-click Allow remote start of unlisted programs.
    6. Click the Enabled option.
    7. Click OK.
  3. 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.
  4. Add users to the Remote Desktop Users group.
    1. In Server Manager > Tools > Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Groups, double-click the Remote Desktop Users group and add the local users that shall be able to execute GUI-level tests.
    2. In case the GUI-level test users require administrative privileges during test execution, you can add them to the Administrators group here.
Parent topic: Configuring Windows for GUI-Level Testing