What's the best way to see logged in users in Windows Server 2012?

Question

Right now I use a powershell script to see the currently logged in users. But I don't see if their session is idle, active or inactive. I can see when the session was started, that's it. Is there an easy way to see how many users are currently logged in to the server I am logged in and see their status? It should not be remotely executed. I would like to avoid third party tools if possible.

score 77 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '14 at 10:34

77

Use the query user command

Query User Command
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490801.aspx

answered May 26 '14 at 10:34

Greg Askew

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Does anyone know what API calls provide this information? – NetMage Sep 11 '17 at 20:34
@NetMage I was just looking for that API myself. Not sure, but maybe check [**NetWkstaUserEnum**](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa370669%28v=vs.85%29.aspx). – Stein Åsmul Apr 08 '18 at 20:37
It looks like the [**LsaEnumerateLogonSessions**](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa378275(v=vs.85).aspx) function is better as described on [CodeProject - Enumerating Logon Sessions](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/7483/Enumerating-Logon-Sessions) (there is ancient source code to download). – Stein Åsmul Apr 09 '18 at 01:42

score 49 · Answer 2 · answered May 26 '14 at 10:25

49

Open the Task-Manager and see the users tab. There you will find a list of users and their status.

Task-Manager

answered May 26 '14 at 10:25

Daniel

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thanks, but this status is not "correct" it's empty while the cmd query user shows me "active" – RayofCommand May 26 '14 at 10:43

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 29 '18 at 15:02

5

"quser" command will give you the active now users

the same result will give you the "qwinsta" command

answered Dec 29 '18 at 15:02

Hristo Maznev

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score 4 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 23 '16 at 12:02

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Get-WMIObject -class Win32_ComputerSystem -ComputerName 192.168.1.9 | Select-Object UserName

where 192.168.1.9 is the IP of the server

answered Dec 23 '16 at 12:02

austin nwaka

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This only seems to return 1 user for me. – Tahlor Mar 29 '21 at 17:10
Worth noting that this will only return console logins, and not RDP sessions. – Panki May 02 '22 at 13:54

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 01 '19 at 22:08

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Use quser or query user to check users connected

quser

query user

Use qwinsta or query session to check sessions connected

qwinsta

query session

answered Jan 01 '19 at 22:08

JorgeM

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score 1 · Answer 6 · answered May 11 '20 at 10:12

Its easy in Server 2016 when you are in a session:

Click the search glass bottom left on task bar

Type gateway in the box and this should bring up "Remote Desktop Gateway Manager"; select it.

Click on the ">" next to the RDS server you want to view (RDS-01) for most I guess, then select the monitoring folder

You can now see who is logged on, how long for, since what time and can disconnect them or set connection limits.

Please note you probably need certain admin rights to do this, but it works for me.

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Jan 01 '19 at 22:32

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Also you can use the "UserLock" application to see which users logged in. By this 3rd party tool you can manage the session of the users as well as remote desktop sessions. It is a great tool in this case. I suggest you try this tool.

answered Jan 01 '19 at 22:32

fedora

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What's the best way to see logged in users in Windows Server 2012?

7 Answers7