Remote Desktop with Shadow mode

[fanynek86]

Hello gentlemen!

I would like to ask you...
Wouldn't it be possible to add the "Shadow mode" rdp startup parameter to MeshCentral? To use RDP like this:

https://www.informaticar.net/remote-desktop-with-shadow-mode-in-windows/

[si458]

This is already sort of possible.
Go to ur device then desktop,
Untick the Input checkbox at the bottom,
Then click connect and it should show a drop down of rdp sessions, then u click which one to connect too
Once connected if u need to control there machine, click the input checkbox again :)

[fanynek86]

I'm sorry, I've clicked RDP almost everywhere, but I don't see this option anywhere. As for Web-RDP, even when "input" is unchecked, it wants to switch the current user.

[si458]

@fanynek86 you click the normal connect button as show in my example video
just remember as i said to untick the input box at the bottom first, otherwise you will control there session

Screen.Recording.2024-11-25.at.10.58.02.mov

[fanynek86]

We don't seem to understand each other. I would like to use Shadow mod, to connect via "Mstsc.exe /shadow: /v:". So that the user does not switch. As it is in this link:
https://www.informaticar.net/remote-desktop-with-shadow-mode-in-windows/

The user and remote support can then control the PC simultaneously.

[si458]

@fanynek86 yes above in the video is how you do it, but we dont call it 'Shadow Mode',
when a user connects by RDP to a machine, the staff can then load up that machine in meshcentral, click the connect button, and then click which user they wanted to control/shadow!
but this only works IF you have the meshagent installed on the remote device
it wont work if you use local groups or relay groups

[fanynek86]

Sorry for not commenting for so long. I am talking about classic RDP, which starts the MeshCentral Router and then we can use it to connect to the target station. The mentioned "Shadow mode" connects to the current logged-in user and works like VNC, for example. Here's a preview, for your understanding:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Pa7adKfQ4

Here are more detailed instructions:

https://blog.bitsadmin.com/spying-on-users-using-rdp-shadowing

[si458]

oh right! well in that case this issue is more for the MeshCentralRouter repo! so ill move the issue there
as the RDP link just opens up the meshCentralRouter which then inturn opens up the RDP app on your windows device
so the code would need changing in there,
also remember when you SHADOW a session, you need to know what session before hand to shadow as you could have multiple sessions
this is where the meshcentral web ui has the advantage as it already knows the sessionids

[fanynek86]

Thank you!

I'm glad I finally expressed myself in a meaningful way. If we connect to ordinary users, the session ID is always 1. In principle, you are right if there are more connected users.

[si458]

@fanynek86 what im thinking is,
when you click the RDP button inside the meshcentralrouter (this happens when u click the RDP option in the web ui),
the meshcentralrouter app will check for user sessions (like what the normal web ui does when u click connect),
then asks you 'do u want a normal console access, an additional rdp session, or shadow a user session,
if u select shadow, then it will say 'these are users i have which one do you want to shadow?',
then when u pick a user it will add the extra values /shadow:<sessionID> /control /noConsentPrompt etc where needed

[fanynek86]

@si458 Yes, you thought that beautifully! I didn't receive the email notification and I'm sick, so I apologize for responding so late.