In a recent Windows 7 update designated as a performance and reliability patch, there's also a sought after component that allows computers running Windows 7 SP1 to create remote connections to computers running Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Unless you dig around in the release notes for the update, you'll just never know that a new Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client is included.
The update enables Windows 7 SP1 users the ability to take advantage of the new Remote Desktop Services features introduced in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Specifically, the new features offer faster reconnections, dynamic desktop resolution modifications, session shadowing, and better security.
For a full description of the improvements and the update, and the download links, see: Update for RemoteApp and Desktop Connections features is available for Windows
It should also be noted that even with Windows 7 SP1, there are a couple updates required to be installed prior to installing the performance and reliability patch (these may already be installed). Those updates are: