Windows Server 2012 - How to log someone out of server through RDS

Occasionally, you will need to drop other user's session(s) whether it is because of an issue with their log in instance, to free up User CAL licenses, or whatever. This is pretty easily accomplished but it can be tricky if you don't know where to look. Just follow the steps below.

This might seem like a stupid post for the technically inclined but you would be surprised at how many people don't know about this feature. It's especially helpful for the functional people who want to dip their toes in the tech realm.

Note: This used to be Terminal Services (TS) but it was re-branded Remote Desktop Services (RDS) for Windows Server 2008.

Do the following:

1. Go to 'Start' 
2. Go to 'Administrative Tools' -> 'Remote Desktop Services' -> 'Remote Desktop Services Manager' (Figure 1)
1. You will see a list of users in this 
3. Right click on the user you want to log off of the server and click on Log Off. (Figure 2)
1. Note: The 'State' will indicate if they are 'Active' or Disconnected'. If a user didn't log off before closing their session, you might see them with 'Disconnected'. The 'Idle Time' field will also show you the number of minutes that have elapsed since the last keyboard or mouse input to a session.
4.  Click on 'Ok' in the message that says 'The selected User(s) will be logged off' (Figure 3)

 

Figure 1 - Navigate to 'Remote Desktop Services Manager'

 

Figure 2 - Logging off a specific user

 

Figure 3 - The message given when the 'Log Off' feature is selected