Specify a program to start on session connection
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
To specify a program to start on session connection
Choose from the following:
For a domain user account, open Active Directory Users and Computers.
In the console tree, expand the domain node, and then click the folder in which the user account is located.
Important
To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Admins group in Active Directory, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
For a local user account, open Computer Management (Local).
In the console tree, click Users.
Where?
- Computer Management/System Tools/Local Users and Groups/Users
Important
- To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. If the computer is joined to a domain, members of the Domain Admins group might be able to perform this procedure. As a security best practice, consider using Run as to perform this procedure. For more information, see Default local groups, Default groups, and Using Run as.
Double-click the user account for which you want to change the Starting program.
On the Environment tab, under Starting program, select the Start the following program at logon check box.
In Program file name, type the name of the program to start when the user logs on. You can also specify a working directory by typing the path in Start in. Click OK.
Notes
To open Active Directory Users and Computers, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Active Directory Users and Computers. This procedure works only if the server has been promoted to a domain controller.
Some client option settings are not applied when a connection is made to the console session of a remote computer running Windows XP. For example, if the client has specified a program to start upon connection to a remote computer, that program does not start if the connection is made to the console session of the remote computer. Instead, the default desktop appears. If the connection is made to a session other than the console session, the specified program starts as expected. The console session is the only session available for Remote Desktop on Windows XP Professional, so the default desktop always appears when a connection is made, even if the client has specified a different program.
To open Computer Management, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.
Information about functional differences
- Your server might function differently based on the version and edition of the operating system that is installed, your account permissions, and your menu settings. For more information, see Viewing Help on the Web.