Download Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0 beta 1

Microsoft has released the first beta version of its Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0. This makes it possible to connect a computer with Mac OS X, version 10.4.9 or higher, to the desktop of a Windows-based computer. This new beta version includes support for Remote Desktop Protocol 6.0 which can be found in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Please note that this beta version will expire on March 31, 2008. The following information is included:

What’s New in Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0:

• Universal Binary
  Remote Desktop Connection Client is designed to run natively on both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs.
• Remote Desktop Protocol 6.0
  Remote Desktop Connection Client is based on the latest Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) version 6.0. RDP 6.0 provides better compatibility with Windows Vista, improved security features, and many other improvements.
• Improved User Experience
  The user interface of Remote Desktop Connection Client is completely redesigned to provide true Mac experience and improved usability. Remote Desktop Connection Client also ships with the Microsoft Error Reporting Tool. This tool, with your consent, collects data relating to a problem with the software and reports that information to Microsoft. The data collected are anonymous and is used to improve the quality of Remote Desktop Connection Client in future releases.
• Improved Customization Options
  Remote Desktop Connection Client provides many customizable options through preferences settings. For instance, you can change the default keyboard shortcuts and fine-tune exactly how you want them. You also have access to the preferences window at all time, even during a Remote Desktop Connection session. Setting changes during a session will take effect the next time you connect.
• Dynamic Screen Resizing
  You can resize your session window, or switch between full screen and windowed modes at any time during a session by using the options in the View menu.
• Improved Printing Support
  Remote Desktop Connection Client supports all printers that you can configure on your Intel- or PowerPC-based Macs. The printer redirection feature is no longer limited to PostScript printers.
• Multiple Sessions
  Remote Desktop Connection Client supports multiple simultaneous Remote Desktop Connection sessions. You can save the connection settings for different Windows-based computers to Remote Desktop Connection settings files, and double-click those files to open multiple sessions independent of each other.

Known Issues:

• English Only
  Remote Desktop Connection Client Beta is only available in English, and supports only US English keyboards.
• Help Content is Not Yet Implemented
  Remote Desktop Connection Client Beta does not include offline help content.
• Vista Network Level Authentication is Not Supported
  Network Level Authentication (NLA) is a new authentication method in Windows Vista that completes user authentication before you establish a full Remote Desktop connection and the logon screen appears. Remote Desktop Connection Client Beta does not support network level authentication. To enable Remote Desktop connections from your Mac, select the option “Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop (less secure)” on the Remote setting panel on your Windows-based computer.
• Using Mac Drives on a Windows-based Computer
  In Windows Explorer, only the first six characters of your Mac volume names will appear and the seventh character is an index number for the Mac volume, and only the first thirty-one characters of your Macintosh computer name will appear. If you have a volume name that uses extended characters such as accented Roman characters or Japanese characters, or if two or more volume names share the same first seven characters, your drives will appear as Drive1, Drive2, Drive3, and so forth. In addition, Windows will not open folders or files on your Macintosh drives if the folder or file name contains characters that Windows does not allow. Windows does not allow the following characters in folder or file names: / \ : * ? ” < > |
• Cut and Paste Between Windows and Mac
  Only plain text, Rich Text Format (.rtf) text, Unicode text and HTML text formats are supported when you are cutting and pasting text between computers using Remote Desktop Connection. You can only cut and paste text between computers during an active session. If you cut or copy data on a Windows-based computer during a Remote Desktop session and then end the session, you will not be able to paste the text into a program on your Macintosh computer.
• Auto-Reconnect is Not Enabled
  The Auto-reconnect preference does not function in Remote Desktop Connection Client Beta.
• Network Failure Detection
  If the network suddenly becomes unavailable, the Remote Desktop Connection session window may freeze. You can use Command+Q to quit the Remote Desktop Connection application, solve the network issue, and try reconnecting to your Windows-based computer.
• VPN or Wireless Network
  When you are connected to your Windows-based computer via a VPN or wireless network, the Remote Desktop Connection session window may become temporarily unresponsive. When this happens, the session window may appear frozen for ten seconds or more, and then become responsive again. If the issue persists, quit the Remote Desktop Connection application, and try reconnecting to your Windows-based computer.
• Vista Aero Glass is Not Displayed
  When connecting to a computer running Windows Vista, Remote Desktop Connection Client Beta does not support special visual effects (such as Aero Glass or flip 3D views).
• Windows Server 2003 Licensing
  When connecting to a Windows Server 2003 that is configured to use Terminal Server Device Client Access License (TS Device CAL), only one user from the Mac can connect to the Windows Server at a time.