Open RDS files in your local Windows apps
In RDS environments, users still need local Office, Acrobat, CAD, and media tools — but RDP drive redirection is slow and often disabled by policy. TwinPane bridges the gap with a dedicated, encrypted channel between the RDSH session and the user's local PC.
The everyday RDS file-access problems
Most RDS file pain points come from the same place: users need a local app for a file that lives — or has to be saved — on a Windows Server session host.
“Save to my PC” doesn't exist
Users can't save out of RDS apps to their local Downloads without copying through a mapped drive — when one is even available.
Mapped drives are slow and brittle
Drive redirection re-streams files over RDP and routinely drops or remaps after reconnects, lock screens, and bandwidth fluctuations.
Locked-down environments lose features
Many enterprises disable drive, clipboard, and printer redirection in Group Policy, leaving users without any local file workflow at all.
A dedicated transport for RDS file workflows
TwinPane runs as a per-session service on Windows Server and a lightweight client on each user's local PC. They pair automatically and stream files over an encrypted, compressed channel — entirely separate from RDP.
Open RDS files locally
Double-click a file in the RDS Explorer. It opens instantly in the user's local Office, Acrobat, or CAD app — with full GPU and printer access.
Mirror local folders into RDS
The user's Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and mapped drives appear inside the RDS session at familiar paths.
Per-session isolation on RDSH
On multi-session Windows Server hosts, each signed-in user gets their own private pairing with their own local PC.
Predictable performance
A compressed, dedicated channel keeps file opens fast even when the RDP session is heavily used.
TwinPane vs. RDP drive redirection on RDS
Side-by-side on the points that matter for production RDS deployments. See the full TwinPane vs RDP drive redirection comparison →
| Capability | RDP drive redirection | TwinPane |
|---|---|---|
| Open RDS files in local apps | Manual copy to mapped drive | One double-click |
| Works with redirection disabled | No — depends on it | Yes — separate channel |
| Multi-session RDSH | Per-user mapping | Per-session isolation |
| Performance under RDP load | Shares the RDP pipe | Independent compressed channel |
| Group Policy controllable | RDP GPO | TwinPane ADMX |
| Deployment via Intune / SCCM | Native (RDP) | MSI with detection rules |
Roll it out across an RDS farm in three steps
The same workflow scales from a single RDSH to broker-managed farms with Intune-managed clients.
- 01
Install on the RDSH host
Drop the TwinPane Server MSI into your RDSH golden image (or push to existing hosts via SCCM). It auto-registers per-session.
- 02
Deploy the client
Push the Client MSI to user devices via Intune, SCCM, or Group Policy. Detection rules ship with the package.
- 03
Activate centrally
Push the license via registry policy or per-user setup. Each activated client device consumes one TwinPane license.
Recommended reading for RDS admins
Practical references for shipping TwinPane on Windows Server RDS.
SCCM deployment & detection rules
Package TwinPane for Configuration Manager with reliable detection rules for RDS hosts and clients.
Intune Win32 deployment
Push TwinPane to Windows endpoints via Intune as a Win32 app, including assignments and detection.
Silent install: client & server
Unattended MSI install switches for both the RDS host and the local Windows client.
Registry keys: client & server
Configurable registry settings for licensing, transport, and UI behavior on RDSH and clients.
Frequently asked questions
What RDS admins typically ask before rolling TwinPane out.
Can users open RDS files in local applications?+
Yes. With TwinPane installed on the RDS host and the user's local PC, double-clicking a file in the RDS session opens it instantly in the native local app — Office, Acrobat, CAD tools, image editors, anything registered in Windows.
Does TwinPane support deployment via Intune or SCCM?+
Yes. TwinPane ships with silent install switches and detection rules for both Intune Win32 deployment and SCCM. Our deployment guides include ready-to-use packaging instructions for both.
Does TwinPane work on session-based Windows Server hosts?+
Yes. TwinPane runs on Windows Server RDSH multi-session hosts and isolates per-user sessions automatically — every signed-in user gets their own pairing with their own local PC.
Will TwinPane bypass our RDP restrictions?+
No. TwinPane is a separate, signed Windows service, not an RDP virtual channel. Your existing RDP Group Policy — including disabled drive, clipboard, and printer redirection — remains fully enforced.
Does it work with the legacy MSTSC client and modern Windows 365?+
TwinPane is independent of the RDP client used to reach the host. It works the same with MSTSC, Microsoft Remote Desktop, AVD clients and Windows 365 Cloud PC connections.