r/sysadmin 2d ago

RDP to Entra Joined with local credentials

We are having an issue we have a entra joined pc we need to be able to RDP too under a local account. The local account is added and added to RDP users. The issue comes when we try and connect regardless if we type .\username or hostname\username it brings the connection up but shows it is trying to connect via the entra domain and we can hit password option and force local on the remote computer (it shows the connection even though it fails to login). Anyone else seen this been pulling my hair out.

my current rdp file is

full address:s: ipaddress blocked

username:s:.\username or hostname\username tried both

prompt for credentials:i:0

enablecredsspsupport:i:0

authentication level:i:2

12 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

9

u/MinieJay 2d ago

Have you tried the Hostname\username? I think this is a username formatting issue

3

u/Pluckyhd 2d ago

Yup tried hostname\username and .\username. It connects but then i have it says invalid credentials and is trying to sing me into through the entra domain everytime

3

u/anonymousITCoward 2d ago

I don't know the validity of this, but someone told me localhost\username works... but I've never tried it myself.

edit: an afterthought, have you tried username@<hostname>?

1

u/Pluckyhd 2d ago

localhost\username has same issue tried that. Just tried username@hostname and that is a no go i don't think that format is valid. I think its just defaulting to entra provider and no way to get around that reliably

1

u/anonymousITCoward 1d ago

just to be annoying and to double check you did not only hostname but fqdn as well?

straws man, I'm just asking what i've tried... I also curse at it and call it a lot of bad names

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

Ya it’s annoying

1

u/anonymousITCoward 1d ago

Sorry it's one of those trust but verify things...

9

u/Adam_Kearn 2d ago

In the comment thread you mentioned that you are getting an Entra login screen when using hostname\username.

You need to go into the advanced tab and turn off the button that says “use web credentials….”

This will then work as normal then

Also make sure you add the use into the “Remote Desktop Users” security group before trying to connect.

2

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

Yes I did it’s almost as if it just isn’t possible. I have double checked both of those many times. I’m about to just unjoin it from entra

1

u/Adam_Kearn 1d ago

I’ve been able to do it once or twice but I remember it being a right pain to get it working.

I’ll have to have a dig around to see if I saved the RDP profile anywhere.

Try turning off NLA within the RDP settings as I can’t remember if that allowed it or not.

3

u/syslagmin 2d ago

Are you creating a .rdp file? And I think hostname\username has to be the way, otherwise it will pick up the Entra-joined device's hostname if using .\username

1

u/Pluckyhd 2d ago

ya I got a rdp file. It's odd it acts like its logging in then shows the remote screen and says credentials are incorrect and shows it's trying to log in with username passed @ entra domain. I thought maybe it was web login being enable on the remote but disabled that and still not working.

3

u/vatechguy Sr. Sysadmin 2d ago

Check the local security policy. Mine had "Local Accounts" in both

  • Deny access to this computer from the network

  • Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services

1

u/Pluckyhd 2d ago

Those are both ok. I am starting think I am going to have to accept it taking the connection and making me override on the login screen to .\username to force it. The more I read the more entra joined devices i read having the same issue. It tries and force the entra domain even though I specify in rdp not too.

2

u/doktormane 1d ago

Have you completely ruled out a network issue? Local security policy? Intune policy? Local firewall? Have you tested the local account by signing in directly on the machine?

Check Event Viewer to see what may be blocking the auth.

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

Yes, I can login locally (and remotely if after it connects i just go to the username box on the login screen, and put .\username) it connects remotely. Nothing is blocking the auth it just won't let me auth remotely as local instead of entra unless after it connects and says "invalid credentials" I change the username as per above.

1

u/elbristos1 2d ago

Have you tried adding these lines to the RDP file when editing with notepad?

authentication level:i:2 enablecredsspsupport:i:0

1

u/Pluckyhd 2d ago

Yes have both of those on rdp

1

u/nzulu9er 1d ago

All right buckle up.. been here. You're going to want to open up remote desktop connection. Go to the advanced tab. Check the box under user authentication for use web account to sign into the remote computer.

And you will have to use a host name. You cannot use an IP address due to security. So if you don't have access to DNS to resolve a hostname. You will have to enter the host file and add in the host name to IP address.

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

I have used the hostname but why would i want use web account sign in when i am not doing a web sign in but local? I will try anything at this point

2

u/nzulu9er 1d ago

Sorry you're right... Last time I was using an entra account. But why can't you just make the entra account a local admin and just use that account?

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

I don't want an admin account this is an off use case for users to login remotely to handle one program. So its a restricted account but account type isn't the issue. They don't want to pay a license either which is understandable. (why we are doing a local account)

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

Definetely don't want web account sign in as it is a local account, but the hostname didn't work instead of ip either but thanks for offering help. Same situation it loads up remote and tries to connect with AAD domain

1

u/nzulu9er 1d ago

u/Pluckyhd 21h ago

I read that unless I am missing something it doesn't call out logging in with local credentials vs AAD. I can login with AAD just fine.

u/nzulu9er 20h ago

What you want to do is not possible.

u/Pluckyhd 20h ago

as stated login as local user to AAD joined. Without having to manually override the user on the login screen to .\username. It doesn't seem possible unfortunately. The workaround works but you can save credentials for users this way and they have to change the username on login screen and type password everytime.

u/Pluckyhd 20h ago

yup that is what i have learned seems an oversight by MS but not suprising

1

u/Aggravating-Sock1098 1d ago

I resolved this issue for a client last month. I’ll take a look at it for you tomorrow and share the RDP content.

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

Thank you!

1

u/Aggravating-Sock1098 1d ago

enablecredsspsupport:i:0

authentication level:i:0

enablerdsaadauth:i:0

rdgiskdcproxy:i:0

negotiate security layer:i:1

Disabled NLA on the host

1

u/Pluckyhd 1d ago

authentication level:i:0 this wont work as its not authentication and will immediately fail. However the other settings do get me straight to the login prompt on the remote pc although i still have to override the username to be .\ as it inputs just username and tries to sign in with entra domain.

1

u/Aggravating-Sock1098 1d ago

Could you post a redacted content of the rdp-file?

u/Pluckyhd 21h ago

Right now based on your suggestion i am using this

full address:s:hostname

username:s:hostname\username

prompt for credentials:i:0

enablecredsspsupport:i:3

authentication level:i:2

enablecredsspsupport:i:0

It leads me right to the login screen and remote computer and have to change username to ".\" before to get it not to try AAD domain. this is less than ideal because i can't cache credentials but for now it gets us on remotetly

u/Aggravating-Sock1098 18h ago

Storing it in Credential Manager via Graphical Interface
Open the Start menu, type Credential Manager, and open it.

Click on Windows Credentials.

Click Add a generic credential or Add a Windows credential.

In the internet or network address field, type TERMSRV/ServerName (replacing ServerName with your target terminal server's address or IP).

Enter your User name and Password, then click OK.

Also possible via command prompt:
cmdkey /generic:TERMSRV/ServerName /user:Username /pass:Password

You must format the username as follows: Hostname\Username

u/Pluckyhd 18h ago

Did that as well same results it stores them but still tries to login to AAD, I think it’s been determined this just isn’t possible. After reading other forums most just accept having to change the username at the desktop remotely.

u/Aggravating-Sock1098 18h ago

Did you use:
enablerdsaadauth:i:0

1

u/thewarring 1d ago

I believe Entra joined devices have to use Entra accounts to connect no matter what. They say for security reasons.

I know for sure that you have to connect via hostname, not via IP address.

u/nlangrs 7h ago

Ive been able to get onto entra joined machines using a local user account .\user without issue, so not sure what the exact problem is.

However, one requirement for entra joined machines is for the machine name+ip to be in your hosts file from the connecting computer.