Step-by-Step: Configure Session Time Limits via Group Policy
Step 1 — Open the Start Menu
Click the Start Menu or press the Windows key.
In the search bar type:
group
Then click Edit group policy.
Screenshot (For search method)
Can include with Windows + R or mac command + R and then typing CMD
optional*
Step 2 — Open the Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor window will open.
You will see on left several folders
Screenshot: ( Window with Local Group Policy Editor)
Step 3 — Expand Administrative Templates
In the left panel:
Click Computer Configuration
Below will show more foldersExpand Administrative Templates
Screenshot: (WIth Administrative Templates selected/expanded)
Step 4 — Open Windows Components
Inside the expanded Administrative Templates, scroll down and look for and click:
Windows Components
Screenshot: (With Windows Components selected)
Step 5 — Navigate to Remote Desktop Services
Scroll down until you find:
Remote Desktop Services
Expand it and click:
Remote Desktop Session Host
Screenshot: (With both Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop Session Host Expanded)
Step 6 — Open Session Time Limits
Click:
Session Time Limits
You will now see several policy settings related to session timeouts.
Screenshot: ( with session time limits open)
Step 7 — Edit the Disconnected Session Setting
Double-click:
Set time limit for disconnected sessions
Right click on “Set time limit or Disconnected Session” and then click edit
OR
Left click and then click on the left Policy setting
Screenshot: (policy window open with edit)
Step 8 — Enable the Policy
On the left Select from Not Configured to Enabled
Once this is done, the option on the bottom “End a disconnected session” is now able to be edited.Make sure that the option is left on: Never
Click Apply
Click OK
Screenshot: Not enabled
Screenshot with enabled:
This will be repeated on these three
Set time limit for disconnected sessions
Set time limit for active but Idle Remote Desktop Services sessions
Set time limit for active Remote Desktop Sercices sessions
Step 9 — Open Command Prompt
After enabling the Policy
Open the Start Menu again and search:
Command Prompt
-Alternate steps
Windows key + R type cmd in the run window ( on mac command + R then type CMD)
Screenshot ( Menu with command prompt)
Step 10 — Update the Group Policy
Run this command:
gpupdate /force
Press Enter.
Screenshot: (Typing command)
You should see:
Computer Policy update has completed successfully.
User Policy update has completed successfully.
Screenshot: (with updated policy completed succesfully)
Result
Your Windows Server session will now remain active indefinitely, even if you disconnect from Remote Desktop.
🤝 Need Assistance?
If any part of the setup feels unclear, the QuantVPS team is happy to help. If you’d like us to verify your environment from our side, feel free to open a support ticket and get connected with the team: https://www.quantvps.com/