How to change Terminal Server's listening port (187623)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q187623
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

By default Terminal Server and Windows 2000 Terminal Services uses TCP port 3389 for client connections. Microsoft does not recommend that this value be changed. However, if it becomes necessary to change this port, follow these instructions.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To change the default port for all new connections created on the Terminal Server:
  1. Run Regedt32 and go to this key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp

    NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

  2. Find the "PortNumber" subkey and notice the value of 00000D3D, hex for (3389). Modify the port number in Hex and save the new value.

    To change the port for a specific connection on the Terminal Server:
    • Run Regedt32 and go to this key:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\connection

      NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.
  3. Find the "PortNumber" subkey and notice the value of 00000D3D, hex for (3389). Modify the port number in Hex and save the new value.

    NOTE: Because the use of alternate ports has not been fully implemented for Terminal Server 4.0, support will be provided as "reasonable effort" only, and Microsoft may require you to set the port back to 3389, if any problems occur.

To Alter the Port on the Client Side

  1. Open Client Connection Manager.
  2. On the File menu, click New Connection, and then create the new connection. After running the wizard, you should have a new connection listed there.
  3. Making sure that the new connection is highlighted, on the File menu, click Export. Save it as name.cns.
  4. Edit the .cns file using Notepad changing "Server Port=3389" to "Server Port=xxxx" where xxxx is the new port that you specified on Terminal Server.
  5. Now import the file back into Client Connection Manager. You may be prompted to overwrite the current one, if it has the same name. Go ahead and overwrite it. You now have a client that has the correct port settings to match your change Terminal Server settings.
NOTE The Windows 2000 Terminal Server ActiveX client connects only to TCP port 3389. This configuration cannot be changed. The Terminal Server ActiveX client that is available in Microsoft Windows XP and in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 supports the ability to modify the port settings. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

326945 How to change the listening port in the Windows Terminal Server Web client


NOTE: You must restart the Terminal Server before the new listening port becomes active, or recreate the RDP listener via Terminal Services configuration.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/14/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB187623
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