How to Enable Audio When Remoting Onto Windows Server 2008

If you have ever tried to configure the audio settings on Windows Server 2008 so you could hear remote audio on your local computer, you have probably run into some problems. There are three major pieces to the puzzle, and all must be in place.

1. You need to configure the remote server to support audio. Make sure the Windows Audio service is running.
2. By default, Terminal Services on Windows Server 2008 disables audio redirection. To enable it:

• Run tsconfig.msc (Start -> Run -> tsconfig.msc)
• Double-click the RDP-Tcp connection to view its properties
• Choose the Client Settings tab
• Uncheck "Audio"
• Click "OK"

3. Your own Remote Desktop client needs to be configured to redirect audio from the remote server to your local machine. When you are about to connect to the remote server:

• Click the "Options" button in the Remote Desktop Connection window
• Choose the Local Resources tab
• Under "Remote computer sound", choose "Bring to this computer"

With those three pieces in place, you should see a working Sound icon in the system tray of the remote server, instead of the befuddling error message: ""No audio device is installed".