Since Microsoft's RDC 2.0 changed file formats (to plist/XML), the "connect to console:i:1" trick no longer works. I tried to guess what Microsoft might have renamed it, but no permutation of "connect" and "console" (as either integers or booleans) in the plist file met with any success. I was just about to run 'strings' on the application bundle when I decided to give the built-in help document a shot.

A search for "console" in the help doc revealed the simple solution: add "/console" (without quotes or spaces) after the server address to connect to the console session. Likewise, add it to the "ConnectionString" plist key in a saved RDP file for the same effect.

It has been deprecated. A workaround is:

Open the preferences and click on the Applications button.

Add the following command:

tscon 0


This will immediately switch your session to the console on login. It's not perfect, but it works.