One method for managing remote display performance includes operations for embedding pixel data in a file of an application executing on a server, and detecting an open window of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the application. The pixel data is used to create a pixel strip in the window, while the GUI is being displayed on a remote display of a remote client. Update information for the GUI being displayed on the remote display is transmitted from the server to the remote client, the update information corresponding to the change in the presentation of the open window on the server. Further, a change in a presentation of the open window is detected, and a pixel strip received at the remote display is identified. A performance metric for the remote display is calculated based on the received pixel strip when compared to the expected values for the pixel strip.