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Feature Request: View-Only (Read-Only) Mode for RDP Sessions #3398

@apheliaglobal

Description

@apheliaglobal

Describe your feature request:

Many RDP management tools (such as Devolutions RDM or VNC clients) support a "view-only" or "read-only" mode where the client can monitor a remote desktop session but cannot interact using keyboard or mouse. This is useful for supervision, training, troubleshooting, audits, or safe monitoring scenarios where input should be prevented.

Requested functionality:

  • An option to open an RDP session in "view-only" (read-only) mode
  • While in this mode, NETworkManager should capture the remote screen(s) but block all outgoing keyboard and mouse events to the remote machine
  • Ideally, this could be set per-connection, per-profile, and/or quickly toggled in the UI
  • Optionally, show a visual indicator when view-only mode is active

Benefits:

  • Safer remote troubleshooting and user monitoring
  • Training and escorting users without risking accidental input
  • Auditing sessions or screenshares in an admin context

References:

  • Feature is highly requested in enterprise/IT environments and present in other RDP/VNC tools
  • Typical usage: "Monitor Only" button, or checkbox in the profile/session settings for RDP connections

Thank you for considering this feature!

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