Run SilkTest tests in a minimised RDP session

Problem:

Normally it is not possible to execute SilkTest tests in a minimised Remote Desktop (RDP) session. When you connect through RDP to a desktop, you take ownership of the desktop by attaching to the desktop with your keyboard and mouse. When you minimise the RDP window you release control of the desktop and SilkTest has no access to a keyboard or mouse causing the tests to fail.

Resolution:

However it is possible to reconfigure RDP while minimised by following the instructions below:

1. Close Remote Desktop sessions opened on your computer.

2. Launch the Registry editor (Regedit.exe).

3. Locate any of the following Registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\ (if you want to change the RDP settings for your user account)
-- or --
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\ (if you want to change the RDP settings for all accounts)

4. Create a new DWORD value in this key named RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized. Specify 2 as the value data.

5. If you use a 64-bit operating system, add the RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized value to the following keys under the Wow6432Node node:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\ (if you want to change the RDP settings for your user account)
-- or --
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\ (if you want to change the RDP settings for all accounts)

This way the Registry tweak will work in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Remote Desktop client. Now minimizing the RDP window on your computer will not affect the remote computer’s GUI and the GUI will still be available to your automated GUI tasks. This will enable SilkTest to access the keyboard, mouse and Desktop and therefore the tests should run as expected.

Please note that this is not supported, if it does not work then the only other way to run these tests on a minimised remote session would be to use VNC.