Remote Desktop connection very slow, stuck on "Securing Remote Connection"

Remote Desktop connection very slow, stuck on "Securing Remote Connection"

Symptom

When starting an RDP connection the login dialogue pauses on "Securing remote connection" for a significant amount of time. 

Environment

Primary Product Module : Remote Desktop Protocol
Primary Product Version : ALL
Primary Product OS : Windows

Cause

This is caused due to the default certificate configuration of the RDP application. RDP is trying to verify the certs (even if they are not present) are valid on the internet. Usually this slowness is visible on symptoms that are not connected to the internet. 

Resolution

Install valid certificated on the client machine for the RDP connection OR....

Deploy a Group Policy Object to the client to turn off Automatic Root Certificates Update. 
  1. Open Group Policy Management Console. To do this, hold the Windows key and press the r key. 
    Type     Gpedit.msc in the Run box, and then click OK.
  2. Create a new Group Policy Object (GPO) or select an existing Group Policy Object (GPO) to change.
  3. Right-click the selected Group Policy Object (GPO) and then click Edit and browse to the following Group Policy:
    Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Internet Communication Management\Internet Communication settings
  4. In the details pane, double-click Turn off Automatic Root Certificates Update, and then click Enabled.
After completing the above steps, open an administrative command prompt and type the command "gpupdate" to force the policied to update with-out a reboot.