Windows 10 multi-user (it’s coming) – All facts and speculations listed

Speculations around a multi-user Windows 10 version really took off with the absence of the RDSH role in one of the first Windows Server 2019 preview releases (build nr 17623). Back in March, the 20^th of 2018 to be a bit more precise. Rumors about a multi-user Windows 10 version already existed, of course, but until then weren’t publicly shared, at least not as explicit as throughout the last couple of months. Let’s see what we know today.

Picture credits go to Tero Alhonen

On the 26^th of March, I, along with a bunch of others (see the link collection at the end of this article as well), shared my thoughts on the matter. Something I won’t do today. I think enough has been said and shared already and based on what we know I think it’s pretty clear where this is heading. For now, I’d like to recap what we know so far and conclude with a list of links for your reading pleasure (and used as a reference).

• The first Windows Server 2019 preview release (build nr 17623) did offer the option to install the RDSH role (through ‘add roles’) but would eventually fail to do so. RDSH not existing, or something to that extent, was the error message displayed.
• Here, the rumors of a multi-user version of Windows 10 really took off. What about licensing, or Citrix, or RDS in general, where does RDmi fit in (availability expected late 2018)? etc…
• Within 24 hours, give or take, Jeff Woolsey, principal program manager for Windows Server tweeted ‘We’ll have lots more on the subject soon. People love RDS and they love the partner ecosystem we have in this space. (And, no, it’s not gone…).
• This was again confirmed in an official statement from Microsoft to SearchVirtualDesktop on April the 17th. A spokesman said ‘The RDSH role will be in the preview build available for Insiders soon. Windows Server 2019 will have the [Remote Desktop Services] roles like in Windows Server 2016’.
• After staying quiet for a while, Microsoft announced the release of Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview Build 17650. Here they stated ‘Because of a bug, the RDSH role was missing in previous releases of Windows Server 2019 – this build fixes that’.
• Off course, this still didn’t answer any questions around a potential Windows 10 multi-user/session version.
• Rumor has it that the multi-user functionality will be part of the Windows 10 Redstone SKU (Stock Selling Unit) release (build 1809), expected to be available in October 2018 – a private preview as available here, but seems to have already ended.
• Multi-user Windows 10 will be aimed at making applications remotely available to a relatively small number of users per machine/installation.
• Windows Server (2019 and beyond) will also continue to offer the RDSH functionality. At least that’s the general thought at this time – Windows 10 multi-session can be used alternatively/additionally.
• The option to run a single Windows 10 (Enterprise) instance virtually, will still be there as well.
• According to Mary Jo Foley (tech industry expert and contributor at ZDNet and other platforms), the multi-user feature is expected to be included in Microsoft’s solutions for supporting Office apps via Office 365 Pro Plus.
• She also mentioned that the Windows 10 multi-user functionality will most likely work with both Win32 and Universal Windows Platform applications and, Microsoft’s Edge browser.
• At the time of writing, there is/are no information/details on pricing and/or licensing.
• While the information available today only mentions Windows 10 Enterprise Edition, it’s not clear if Windows 10 Pro (or other editions) will get similar functionality.
• Originally it was thought that the new Windows 10 SKU would offer up to 10 active sessions per machine/install. Today, testing shows that the number of sessions seems to be unlimited, see the next bullet as well. All this can, and probably will change in the months to come, so don’t get your hopes up just yet.
• On August the 1^st, tech enthusiast Tero Alhonen tweeted about a Windows 10 ‘Enterprise for remote sessions’ option he was able to select during the installation of an insider test build of Windows 10 Redstone 5 (Build 17713). Tero told me personally (thanks again) that the number of sessions seems to be unlimited at this point. See the above image as well.
• He also pointed out the ‘What’s new and what’s next in Windows virtualization’ Ignite session: Come to this session to learn about the latest improvements in Remote Desktop Services (RDS) that enable you to host desktops or applications accessible by remote users. Might be interesting.
• That’s about it for now. More news is expected at Microsoft Ignite, Microsoft’s conference for IT professionals – It runs from 24-28 – or with the release of Windows 10 build 1809 this fall.

Reference material used:

• Published 10 Aug. https://www.computerworld.com/article/3296363/microsoft-windows/microsoft-may-soon-add-multi-session-remote-access-to-windows-10-enterprise.html
• Published 3 Aug. https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-enterprise-for-remote-sessions-another-new-windows-variant-on-the-way/
• Published 25 Apr. https://www.brianmadden.com/opinion/Microsoft-says-RDSH-is-coming-to-a-Server-2019-preview-soon
• Published 24 Aug. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/04/24/announcing-windows-server-2019-insider-preview-build-17650/#JtVgqU0zeODOEw4b.97
• Published 17 Apr. https://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/blog/Windows-Enterprise-Desktop/Windows-Server-2019-RDSH-is-a-go
• Published 28 Mrt. https://windowsreport.com/remote-desktop-multiple-users-windows-10/
• Published 27 Mrt. https://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/252437683/IT-mulls-multi-user-Windows-10-as-Server-2019-drops-RDSH
• Published 26 Mrt. https://www.basvankaam.com/2018/03/26/windows-server-2019-but-no-rdsh-a-multi-user-version-of-windows10-whats-going-on/
• Published 26 Mrt. https://www.brianmadden.com/opinion/Windows-Server-2019-Session-Host-is-dead-Multi-user-Win10-instead
• Published 26 Mrt. https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-is-readying-multi-session-support-for-windows-10/
• Published 26 Mrt. https://robbeekmans.net/euc/windows-server-2019-with-no-rdsh-and-windows-10-multi-user-and-even-rdmi-where-do-we-go/
• Published 20 Mrt. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/03/20/announcing-windows-server-vnext-ltsc-build-17623/

Bas van Kaam

Field CTO EMEA by day, author by night @ Nerdio

Father of three, EMEA Field CTO @ Nerdio, Author of the book Van de Basis tot aan Meester in de Cloud, Co-author of the book Project Byte-Sized and Yuthor of the book: Inside Citrix – The FlexCast Management Architecture, over 500 blog posts and multiple (ultimate) cheat sheets/e-books. Public speaker, sport enthusiast­­­­­­­­: above-average runner, 3 x burpee-mile finisher and a former semiprofessional snooker player. IT community participant and initiator of the AVD User group Community world wide.