> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/rdm/knowledge-base/how-to-articles/implement-the-custom-login-mode.md).

# Implement the custom login mode

The ***Custom login mode*** allows for a separation between the SQL Server authentication/authorization and the Remote Desktop Manager authentication/authorization preventing users from using their Remote Desktop Manager custom credentials from accessing the database directly.

{% hint style="info" %}
***Custom logins*** are only supported in Remote Desktop Manager with a Microsoft SQL Server workspace.
{% endhint %}

Follow the steps below in order from start to finish.

### Create the SQL login/user

There are two methods to create the SQL login/user: the first one uses Remote Desktop Manager (recommended) while the second one uses SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio).

#### Method using Remote Desktop Manager (recommended)

1. In Remote Desktop Manager, connect to the Microsoft SQL Server workspace with any database owner user.
2. In ***Administration*** – ***Users***, click on the ***Add user*** button to create a new administrator user.
3. In the ***General*** tab of the ***User managment*** window, configure the user as follows:
   * In the ***Authentication type*** drop-down list, select ***Database***.
   * In the ***Username*** field, enter ***RDMRunner***.
   * In the ***Password*** field, enter a secure password. Use the ***Password generator*** tool (second button next to the field) to help create it.
   * In the ***User type*** drop-down list, select ***Administrator***.

     ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4361_2025_2.png)
4. Click ***OK*** to save your new user configuration.

The new user should appear in the user list. You can close the ***User and security management*** window. For the next steps, skip to the Create your first custom login (first admin) section.

#### Method using SSMS

1. In SSMS, create a login/user.
2. Make this user a member of the ***db\_owner*** role.

For the next steps, go to the Create your first custom login (first admin) section.

### Create your first custom login (first admin)

1. In ***File*** – ***Workspaces***, click on the ***Edit workspace*** button to edit your Microsoft SQL server workspace.
2. In the workspace configuration window, change the values in the ***Username*** and ***Password fields*** for the credentials of the new SQL user created in the previous section. This is so you can connect to this user in the workspace.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2159.png)
3. Click ***OK*** to save your changes, then ***OK*** again to leave the workspace settings view.
4. Go to ***Administration – Users***, then click on the ***Add user*** button to create a new administrator user.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2151.png)
5. In the ***User managment*** window, configure the new user as follows:
   * In the ***Authentication type*** drop-down list, select ***Custom (Devolutions)***.
   * In the ***Username*** field, enter ***admin***.
   * In the ***Password*** field, enter a secure password. Use the ***Password generator*** tool (second button next to the field) to help create it.
   * In the ***User type*** drop-down list, select ***Administrator***.

     ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2152.png)
6. Click ***OK*** to save your new user configuration.

The new user should appear in the user list. You can close the ***User and security management*** window.

### Create users

1. In ***File*** – ***Workspaces***, click on the ***Edit workspace*** button to edit your Microsoft SQL server workspace.
2. In the ***Microsoft SQL Server*** window, configure the login settings as follows:
   * In the ***Login mode*** drop-down list, select ***Custom login***.
   * In the ***Username*** field, enter ***admin***.
   * In the ***Password*** field, enter the password created for the ***admin*** custom user account in the previous section.

     ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2153.png)
3. Click on ***Settings*** next to the ***Login mode*** field.
4. In the ***Database login*** window, configure the login settings as follows:
   * In the ***Username*** field, enter ***RDMRunner***.
   * In the ***Password*** field, enter the password created for the ***RDMRunner*** SQL user account in the first section of this topic.

     ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2154.png)
5. Click ***Connect*** in the ***Database login*** window.
6. Click ***OK*** in the ***Microsoft SQL Server*** window to save your configuration, then ***OK*** again to leave the workspace settings view.
7. Using this new configuration, create all other custom login users in ***Administration*** – ***Users*** – ***Add user***.

When all other custom login users have been created, continue to the next section.

### Distribute the configuration

1. In ***File*** – ***Workspaces***, click on the ***Duplicate workspace*** button.
2. Write a new ***Name*** for your duplicate workspace configuration.
3. Clear the ***Username*** and ***Password*** fields, then check the ***Always ask password*** and ***Always change username*** options.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2155.png)
4. Click ***OK*** to save your configuration.
5. Click on the ***Export workspace configuration*** button, then save the .rdd file on your computer.
6. Distribute the configuration file to your users.

After having received the .rdd file containing the exported configuration and having saved it on their computer, your users can follow the steps in the next section to import it in Remote Desktop Manager and connect to the workspace for the first time.

### Import the .rdd file and connect to the workspace

1. In Remote Desktop Manager, go to ***File*** – ***Workspaces***.
2. Click on the ***Import workspace configuration*** button.
3. Select in your computer the ***.rdd*** configuration file, then click ***Open***.
4. Click ***OK*** to leave the workspace settings view.
5. On the first connect, the ***Database login*** window appears. Enter your custom ***Username*** and ***Password***, then check the ***Remember credentials*** option to have Remote Desktop Manager stop asking for them after this first connection.

   ![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/docs_en_kb_KB2161.png)
6. Click ***Log in***.

You are now connected to the workspace.


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