A method for using standards-based functionality to provide unified management for a plurality of remote desktop sessions includes executing an enhanced management access point on a first physical machine. The method includes monitoring a plurality of desktop sessions including a desktop session executing on one of a second physical machine and a virtual machine executing on the second physical machine. The desktop session provides access to at least one application or file. The method includes determining a first level of activity of the desktop session. A level of activity may be one of: active, inactive, hibernating and standby. The method includes receiving a notification of a migration of the desktop session to a third physical machine, the migrated desktop session maintaining the first level of activity. The method includes instructing a management component on the third physical machine to modify the migrated desktop session to a second level of activity.