# Connect to multiple computers

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If you want to connect to more than one Windows-based computer at a time, you can save a connection file for each computer that you connect to. Each connection file can have a different set of preferences, such as automatic login credentials, screen size, and display options. You can quickly connect to the computer that you want by opening its connection file.

Important

The Windows-based computer must be turned on, and it must have a network connection. You can’t connect to a computer that is sleeping, hibernating, or on standby. Therefore, make sure that the settings for sleep, hibernation, and standby on the Windows-based computer are set to Never. For information about how to make those changes, see Windows Help. Make sure that the computer that you want to connect to is running a version of Windows that supports remote connections. For a complete list, see Windows version compatibility.

| ## Step 1: Connect to the first Windows-based computer

1. On your Macintosh computer, open Remote Desktop Connection.

2. In the Computer box, type the name of the Windows-based computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect.

3. Type your user name, password, and domain for the Windows-based computer if they are required.

| ## Step 2: Save a connection file for the first Windows-based computer

Select your connection preferences for the computer that you are connected to.

1. On the RDC menu, click Preferences.

2. Select the options that you want.

3. On the File menu, click Save As.

4. In the Save As box, type the name of your connection file.

5. Click Save.

Tip To quickly connect to a Windows-based computer, double-click the connection file, or drag the file onto the Remote Desktop Connection icon. Connection files are saved in Documents/RDC Connections.

| ## Step 3: Connect to another Windows-based computer

1. On the Remote Desktop Connection menu bar, click File, and then click New Connection.

2. In the Computer box, type the name of the Windows-based computer that you want to connect to, and then click Connect.

3. Type your user name, password, and domain for the Windows-based computer if they are required.

   There are now two session windows open on your Mac desktop, one for each Windows-based computer that you are connected to. To open additional connections, repeat this step.

| ## Step 4: Save a connection file for another Windows-based computer

1. Select the session window for the additional Windows-based computer that you connected to.

2. On the RDC menu, click Preferences.

3. Select the options that you want.

4. On the File menu, click Save As.

5. In the Save As box, type the name of your connection file.

6. Click Save.

7. Repeat this procedure for each additional Windows-based computer that you connected to.

Tip To quickly connect to a Windows-based computer, double-click the connection file, or drag the file onto the Remote Desktop Connection icon. Connection files are saved in Documents/RDC Connections.

### See also

Create and change connection files

I can't connect to the Windows-based computer

Connect to a server console session