rdesktop is an open source client for Windows Terminal Services, capable of natively speaking Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in order to present the user’s Windows desktop.
Supported servers include Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows NT Server 4.0.
Unlike Citrix ICA, no server extensions are required.
The software has also been integrated into several thin client Linux distributions like Thinstation, as well as some thin client appliances.
Key Features
- 8/15/16/24-bit colour connections.
- Bitmap caching.
- File system, audio, serial port and printer port redirection.
- Stream compression and encryption.
- Automatic authentication.
- Smartcard support.
- RemoteApp like support called “seamless” mode via SeamlessRDP.
- Several methods of full screen operation.
- Custom screen resolutions.
- Mappings for most international keyboards.
Website: www.rdesktop.org
Support:
Developer: rdesktop team
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

rdesktop is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Remote Display Clients | |
|---|---|
| TigerVNC | Platform-neutral implementation of VNC |
| Remmina | GTK+/Gnome Remote Desktop Client |
| KRDC | Connect with RDP or VNC to another computer |
| X2Go | Fast terminal server suite based on NoMachine's NX libraries |
| RustDesk | Works out of the box with no configuration required |
| Veyon | Computer monitoring and classroom management |
| TurboVNC | TightVNC-compatible remote desktop software |
| FreeRDP | Remote Desktop Protocol Implementation |
| TightVNC | Client/server allowing remote network access to graphical desktops |
| noVNC | VNC client web application |
| Connections | Aims at replacing Vinagre as the remote desktop client for GNOME |
| Xpra | Multi-platform persistent remote display server with built-in HTML5 client |
| Guacamole | Clientless remote desktop gateway |
| Dayon! | Easy to use, cross-platform remote desktop assistance solution |
| RustConn | Connection orchestrator for Linux with a GTK4/Wayland-native interface |
| HopToDesk | Remote desktop tool with end-to-end encryption |
| Field Monitor | Remote desktop client designed for GNOME |
| Vinagre | VNC client for the Gnome Desktop |
| rdesktop | Client for Windows Terminal Services |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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