Drag and drop through Remote Desktop Connection

Question

I use remote desktop on a daily basis and I find that I often need to quickly transfer files between my physical PC and the RDP, or even between different multiple remote sessions. I have network sharing enabled and I understand that it's not exactly slow transferring files by that means, but I'm looking for a way around that.

I'm also aware that there is a copy/paste option available if you enable local resource access to your disk drives.

What I'm looking for is a direct, drag and drop. I heard that Microsoft was planning on enabling this feature with their new version of Windows Server however I'm having trouble finding any documentation.

I run a dual monitor setup so this would be very helpful!

My operating systems are:
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008

Solution 1

An RDP session is not a valid Drag source in Windows (yet?), so copy and paste is the fastest way.

I usually hit ctrl-c and ctrl-v for copy and paste anyway, as personally I find it quicker than drag and drop, plus you don't get stuck waiting for imaginary transfers like when you copy something and then hit right-click to try and paste it between sessions.

Copying and pasting in and out of RDP is slower (transfer time-wise) than copying via a (VPN) share or FTP or HTTP, so I'll usually use one of those for large files, which keeps my cut & paste available for other tasks while it's copying.

Solution 2

Another option is VNC, including TightVNC, which is free, allows you to log into the desktop like RDP, and includes a file transfer button.

Comments

[grooveDexter]

Sayig it's not possible isn't an answer without some proof. And the rest of your post was just re-stating my question? I appreciate the effort but I'm not sure why someone would give this response a point up.

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

I'm not sure what 'proof' you'd like, but here's a message from Lionel Chen (MSFT, MS TechNet forums Moderator, Date Oct. 2009): "Drag-and-drop feature is not supported in Windows Server 2008-based Terminal Server, which is a by-design behavior hard-coded in the current version of the Remote Desktop Protocol." Aside from that, drag-n-drop is partly supported in Windows 2008 TS with RemoteApp, but it's only 'between monitors' and not Remote-to-local: technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753844(WS.10).aspx - Otherwise, as far as I know, you're stuck with alternatives suggested. Sorry :(

[grooveDexter]

Thanks Techie!, that is exactly what I was looking for. Now I'll stop trying to do it until they release an update. We'll have to edit this answer if that ever happens.. (sigh)

[Robeezy]

Daaaaamn son you're telling me I could have been copy and pasting this entire time? Sheeeeiiiittt.