Improve performance of ArcGIS Pro when running over Remote Desktop

Summary

When running ArcGIS Pro over RDP, and not using the option to 'Enable hardware graphics adapters for all Remote Desktop Services sessions', software emulation of the GPU is used, and performance and responsiveness is degraded.

Procedure

Before making any changes, run the DirectX Diagnostic tool to confirm that the display driver used is Microsoft Remote Display Adapter.

1. In Windows Search, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
2. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, select the Display tab.
3. Under Device, verify that the Name is Microsoft Remote Display Adapter.

Once this is verified, open the Local Group Policy Editor.

1. In Windows Search, type edit group policy, and press Enter.
2. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, under Computer Configuration, navigate to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Remote Session Environment.

3. Under Setting, right-click Use hardware graphics adapters for all Remote Desktop Services sessions, and click Edit.
4. In the Use hardware graphics adapters for all Remote Desktop Services sessions dialog box, shown in the image below, select Enabled, click Apply and OK.

5. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
6. Restart the computer, run dxdiag.exe again, and confirm that the Device in use is now the GPU running on the remote machine.