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Flickering screen when connecting to an active RDP session in a minimized window while using Dameware Mini Remote Control

This article provides brief information and steps to resolve the issue with flickering screen when connecting to an active RDP session in a minimized window while using Dameware Mini Remote Control (MRC).

First published date

12/15/2022 8:40 PM

Last published date

7/21/2025 10:10 PM

Overview

A flickering screen displays when connecting to an active RDP session in a minimized window while using Dameware MRC.
 

Product section

Dameware Remote Support & Mini Remote Control

Cause

The issue occurs when the user minimizes the Remote Desktop window. This action causes the Windows operating system to switch the remote session to a text-based interface, without any windows or controls. As a result, Dameware is unable to receive the remote screen.

Resolution

This issue is directly related to Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) operation and cannot be resolved in the MRC program. To avoid this issue and still allow interactive tasks to be executed on a minimized Remote Desktop window, update your registry keys on the local computer.

Note: Your local computer is the machine from which you connect to a remote workstation using RDP. If any registry key listed in the steps is missing, create it.

Warning: SolarWinds strongly recommends that you back up your registry before editing it. Only edit the registry if you are experienced and confident in doing so. Using a registry editor incorrectly can cause serious issues with your operating system, which could require you to  reinstall your OS to correct them. SolarWinds cannot guarantee resolutions to any damage resulting from making registry edits.

For the current user:

  1. Run Registry Editor.
  2. Find the following registry key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client
  3. Create a DWORD value, and name it as the following:
    RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized
  4. Set the DWORD value to 2.
  5. Find the following registry key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client
  6. Create a DWORD value, and name it as the following:
    RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized 
  7. Set the DWORD value to 2.
  8. Close Registry Editor, and restart the machine.

For all other users:

  1. Run Registry Editor.
  2. Find the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client
  3. Create a DWORD value, and name it as the following:
    RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized
  4. Set the DWORD value to 2.
  5. Find the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client
  6. Create a DWORD value, and name it as the following:
    RemoteDesktop_SuppressWhenMinimized
  7. Set the DWORD value to 2.
  8. Close Registry Editor, and restart the machine.