Q. How do I enable RemoteFX for my Windows 7 guest OSs?

A. There are several steps to enable RemoteFX on the Hyper-V server, in virtual machines (VMs), and on the Remote Desktop clients.

You need SP1 installed on the Windows Server 2008 R2 server that will be using RemoteFX. Once SP1 is installed and the server has been rebooted, ensure the server meets the requirements for RemoteFX (GPU, SLAT, etc., as outlined in this FAQ).

You need to use Server Manager to enable RemoteFX, which is a Role Service of Remote Desktop Services. Enabling RemoteFX will also enable Core Services, as shown here.

Once RemoteFX is enabled on the Hyper-V box, you need to make sure the Windows 7 VMs are running SP1, then shut them down. Open the properties of the VMs that will use RemoteFX and add the RemoteFX 3D Video Adapter. Once it's added, set the number of monitors and maximum resolution, as shown here.

Finally, the Remote Desktop client must be running RDP 7.1 with RemoteFX support, which at this point means Windows 7 SP1.

You can now connect and enjoy RemoteFX graphics and USB redirection (if you've enabled RemoteFX USB Redirection). Make sure you select the LAN (10 Mbps or higher) Experience option in the RDC, or RemoteFX will not be used. Note that you'll have to reboot the guest OS once it detects the new RemoteFX 3D Video adapter, and once it's enabled you'll only be able to connect to the VM using an RDP 7.1 with RemoteFX Remote Desktop client. Connections from Hyper-V manager using the Virtual Machine Connection console will no longer function, and a black screen will be shown.

To confirm you're using RemoteFX, open Event Viewer in the Windows 7 VM and navigate to Applications and Services, Microsoft, Windows, RemoteDesktopServices-RdpCoreTS, Admin and look for Event ID 2. This will show RemoteFX is being used, as shown below.

Log Name: Microsoft-Windows-RemoteDesktopServices-RdpCoreTS/Admin Source: Microsoft-Windows-RemoteDesktopServices-RdpCoreTS Date: 7/14/2010 1:31:09 PM Event ID: 2 Task Category: RDP Stack Level: Information Keywords:  User: NETWORK SERVICE Computer: savdalclient.savilltech.net Description: Remote Desktop Protocol will use RemoteFX module to connect to the client computer. RemoteFX module is being used based on the server configuration, client configuration, and network connection.

Also, RemoteFX sessions will show the Shut Down button on the Start bar instead of Log Off.

You can tweak the performance of RemoteFX within the VM, configuring the screen capture rate and the amount of compression used. The higher the screen capture rate and the lower the image compression, the better the quality of the graphics, but more bandwidth will be used. The default is medium for both settings, but you can tweak it for the best experience, assuming you have a very good network connection. Use Group Policy or Local Policy at Computer Configuration, Policies (skip this step if you're using Local Policy), Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Remote Desktop Services, Remote Desktop Session Host, Remote Session Environment, Set experience index for connections when using RemoteFX.