Azure-docs: Is there a way to improve the image quality when connecting to the VM using Azure Bastion?

[jmoralesv]

Hi,
I'm using Azure Bastion and so far so good, however I noticed that the image quality of the RDP session is lower compared with the native RDP session in Windows. Is there a way to improve it so I can see the screen crispy and shiny? I know this is a cosmetic thing, but it would be great to have it as in RDP.

On the other hand, I thought that resizing the window to go to full screen would resize the resolution of the Bastion RDP session but I was wrong, it remains the same as when the browser tab was opened. Is there a way to improve this in the future too?

Regards,
Jorge

---

Document Details

⚠ Do not edit this section. It is required for docs.microsoft.com ➟ GitHub issue linking.

• ID: d63ef78c-e0ff-8655-2e65-684667278758
• Version Independent ID: f03d85fc-7ddc-8f4f-369e-835161698608
• Content: Change virtual machine session view to full screen in Azure Bastion
• Content Source: articles/bastion/bastion-vm-full-screen.md
• Service: bastion
• GitHub Login: @cherylmc
• Microsoft Alias: cherylmc

[jmoralesv]

Hi,
Other things I noticed about image quality is that the Bastion RDP session disables the default themes in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 virtual machines, which where respected when using native RDP in Windows. I hope Azure Bastion can add the options to get themes and wallpaper support in the future.

Besides, I noticed that some common keyboard combination are not redirected to the Bastion RDP session, such as the Windows key or Alt + Tab. Will these keyboard issues be addressed in the future?

Regards,
Jorge

[MarileeTurscak-MSFT]

@jmoralesv
Thanks for your feedback! We will investigate and update as appropriate.

[ashjain]

@jmoralesv -

1. For crispness, we do plan to optimize this going forward, potentially make this configurable on Azure Bastion.
2. Full full-screen, we have added support for full-screen. Can you please try it from the control palette and try the full screen? This should re-initiate the session with higher resolution for full screen. Step by step covered in our documentation here - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/bastion/bastion-vm-full-screen. This is not done with browser window resize, but full screen toggle. For resizing, if you start the session again, the resolution should adjust respectively. We do plan to change this experience going forward.
3. Themes - Thank you for the feedback, we will investigate.
4. HotKey support - Already part of our roadmap, hoping to make it available in GA.

[jmoralesv]

Hi @ashjain ,
Thanks for your reply, I'm glad you have plans to address the items 1, 3 and 4, hopefully we can see these improvements in Azure Bastion as time goes on.

For item 2, I'm using the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge and yes, I've been using the Fullscreen button but I can't get the Bastion RDP session to take advantage of my Full HD screen (1920 x 1980), the VM screen can only be resized to 1536 x 864 which is almost the same resolution as when the browser tab was opened.

Could this be related to the new Chromium-based Edge, my VM (Windows Server 2012 R2) or something else?

Regards,
Jorge

[msrini-MSFT]

@jmoralesv , can you check with different browser and check if you are able to get better resolution ?

[msrini-MSFT]

@jmoralesv , Do you have any update for me ?

[jmoralesv]

Hi @msrini-MSFT ,
I tried with different browsers, these are the results:

• Using the existing, non Chromium, Microsoft Edge, the resolution remains the same in full screen mode as in Edge Chromium: 1536 x 864
• Using Firefox, the resolution was a bit higher: 1602 x 901
• Using Google Chrome, the resolution remains the same as in Edge Chromium: 1536 x 864

My local laptop uses Windows 10 Pro with the latest May 2019 update (version 1903, build 18362.175).

I thought that this would be an issue with the VM (Windows Server 2012 R2), but the same issue happened with other operating systems (Windows Server 2016, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1), so I'm not sure if that is relevant. This leads me to think that it is actually an issue with the Bastion RDP session, not the VM nor the browser.

On the other hand, these VM were created last year, and I didn't install any extension of any kind there, I don't know if that fact is relevant for this issue.

The issue doesn't appear when using the native Windows Remote Desktop client.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
Jorge

[msrini-MSFT]

@jmoralesv ,Thank you for providing your feedback. I will pass on this feedback to the respective Product owners to investigate. As this product is in Preview, we collect feedback and try to fix those while the product is Generally Available.

[gaurav7961]

Hi is there any update on this ?
It seems to be same resolution.