Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: By default, all user accounts on a Windows computer can access Remote Desktop without any additional configuration.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Remote Desktop is a feature in Microsoft Windows that allows a user to connect to another computer and control it as if sitting in front of it. Several conditions must be met for Remote Desktop to work correctly, including proper firewall settings, user permissions and edition support. This question asks you to identify the statement that is not true among several plausible sounding descriptions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In Windows, Remote Desktop must be allowed through Windows Firewall or any other firewall in use; otherwise, incoming connections will be blocked. The Remote Desktop client program is indeed launched using the mstsc command. Not all user accounts can connect by default; typically, only administrators or users in the Remote Desktop Users group are allowed. Any recent Windows client edition can usually run the Remote Desktop client, even if it cannot act as a host. A network connection between client and host is obviously required for any remote session.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate option a. It states that Windows Firewall can block Remote Desktop connections if not configured to allow them. This is true because firewalls can prevent incoming RDP traffic on the relevant port.
Step 2: Evaluate option b. It claims that you can start the Remote Desktop client using the mstsc command. This is correct; mstsc.exe is the standard Remote Desktop Connection executable.
Step 3: Evaluate option c. It says that by default all user accounts can access Remote Desktop without additional configuration. This is not true. Remote Desktop access is typically restricted to administrators and users explicitly added to the Remote Desktop Users group.
Step 4: Evaluate option d. It states that the client can be running any edition of Windows 7. This is essentially true; even editions that cannot host a Remote Desktop session can run the client to connect to another machine.
Step 5: Evaluate option e. It claims that Remote Desktop requires a network connection between client and host. This is obviously true, because without network connectivity, remote communication cannot occur.
Step 6: Since option c is the only statement that conflicts with default security behaviour, it is the one that is not true.
Verification / Alternative check:
If you check the Remote Desktop settings in Windows, you will find a section that allows you to specify which users can connect. By default, only administrators have permission, and you must manually add other accounts. Documentation also shows that Remote Desktop uses specific ports and that Windows Firewall must be configured to permit those ports. The mstsc command is documented as the way to launch the Remote Desktop client. All of this confirms that option c is the incorrect statement.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Here we interpret wrong as incorrect choices for the question asking which statement is not true. Option a is factually correct, as firewalls can block RDP traffic. Option b correctly identifies mstsc as the Remote Desktop client command. Option d is correct because the client component is broadly available across Windows editions. Option e is also correct, because Remote Desktop cannot function without network connectivity. Only option c incorrectly claims that all user accounts have RDP access by default.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may overthink option d and assume that only certain editions can use Remote Desktop at all. The important distinction is between hosting a session and running the client. Another common mistake is to underestimate default security restrictions and believe that any user can connect remotely. Remember that Remote Desktop is a powerful feature and is therefore limited to specific user groups for security reasons.
Final Answer:
The statement that is NOT true about Remote Desktop is: By default, all user accounts on a Windows computer can access Remote Desktop without any additional configuration.
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