Managing drive, printer, and device mappings for clients
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Managing drive, printer, and device mappings for clients
Because client sessions can establish multiple data channels between client and server, users can map to local devices, such as drives and printers. By default, drive and printer mappings that a user sets in a client session are temporary and are not available the next time the user logs on to the server. However, using Terminal Services Configuration, you can specify that client mappings be restored when the user logs on. In addition, you can disable specific client devices so that a user cannot map the device. Users can map the following devices:
Drives (this option is supported for Remote Desktop Connection clients logging on to one of the Windows Server 2003 family operating systems and for Citrix ICA connections)
Windows printers
LPT ports
COM ports
Smart cards
Clipboard
Audio (this option is supported for Remote Desktop Connection clients logging on to one of the Windows Server 2003 family operating systems and for Citrix ICA connections)
Notes
As a best practice, use Terminal Services Group Policies to configure these settings wherever possible.
For more information, see Configuring Terminal Services with Group Policy.
Settings for client drive, printer, and device mappings configured in Terminal Services Configuration apply to all client sessions on the server. If you want to specify client settings on a per-user basis, use Terminal Services Group Policies or the Terminal Services extensions to Local Users and Groups.
For clients running Remote Desktop Connection, these settings must also be configured in the client software. For more information, see Make your local disk drives available in a session, Make your local printer available in a session, Make your local serial port available in a session, and Make a smart card available in a session.