How to enable GPU DirectX Direct3D OpenGL in RDP

Overview

By default, RDP sessions use a software renderer, which can cause graphically intensive applications to run slowly, display incorrectly, or fail to launch. Enabling GPU acceleration allows the remote session to use the host machine's physical GPU for hardware-accelerated DirectX, Direct3D, and OpenGL rendering.

This is especially useful for applications like ArcGIS, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and other CAD/GIS or media tools that require a hardware graphics adapter.

Prerequisites

• Host machine has a dedicated or integrated GPU with up-to-date drivers
• Windows 10 / 11 or Windows Server 2016 or later
• Administrator access on the host machine

Enabling GPU Acceleration via Group Policy

Step 1 — Open Group Policy Editor

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2 — Navigate to the Remote Desktop Graphics Settings

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components
→ Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Remote Session Environment

Step 3 — Enable Hardware Graphics Adapter

Double-click "Use hardware graphics adapters for all Remote Desktop Services sessions" and set it to Enabled.

Step 4 — Restart Remote Desktop Services

Open services.msc as Administrator and find Remote Desktop Services, right-click and select Restart (or reboot the host).

Step 5 — Verify GPU Is Active

Inside the RDP session, open Task Manager → Performance and confirm GPU activity, or run dxdiag to verify the GPU adapter appears under the Display tab.

OpenGL Support

OpenGL is not natively accelerated over RDP. To enable it, ensure the latest NVIDIA or AMD drivers are installed on the host — modern vendor drivers include an OpenGL-to-DirectX translation layer that works automatically in RDP sessions.

For ArcGIS-specific guidance, refer to Esri's community thread on enabling GPU rendering over RDP.

Troubleshooting

Updated on: 24/02/2026