How to Connect to a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop

To connect to a Windows VPS, press Win + R, type mstsc and press Enter. Enter your server IP, click Connect, and sign in as Administrator with the password from your server details. Remote Desktop uses TCP port 3389, and your Windows VPS is ready for RDP as soon as it is delivered.

What you need

• Server IP address. It is in the activation email and on the service page in the Client Area.
• Username. On a fresh Windows server this is Administrator.
• Password. It is in the activation email. Copy it exactly; Windows passwords are case-sensitive.

The examples below use 203.0.113.10, which is a documentation address. Use your own server’s IP instead.

Connect from a Windows PC

1. Press Win + R, type mstsc and press Enter. This opens Remote Desktop Connection.
2. In Computer, type the server IP. If the RDP port was changed on the server, use IP:port, for example 203.0.113.10:3390.
3. Click Show Options and type Administrator in User name.
4. Click Connect, enter the password and click OK.
5. A certificate warning appears on the first connection: “The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified”. This is expected for a new server with a self-signed certificate. Tick Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer and click Yes.

You can also start the connection directly from the Run box or a terminal:

mstsc /v:203.0.113.10

Connect from a Mac, Linux, Android or iPhone

On a Mac, install the official Windows remote desktop app from the App Store and add a PC with your server IP. On a Linux desktop, any RDP client from your distribution’s software center works. Use the same three details: the IP, Administrator and the password. Phone and tablet apps work the same way, and they are handy for a quick restart of a service when you are away from your desk.

Copy files and text between your computer and the server

Before you connect, open Show Options › Local Resources:

• Clipboard: keep it ticked to copy and paste text and files in both directions.
• More… › Drives: tick a local drive. It appears on the server under This PC as a redirected drive, so you can drag files across.

For large uploads of several gigabytes, a file transfer over the network will be more reliable than clipboard copy.

Save the connection

In the General tab, click Save As to create an .rdp file on your desktop. Double-clicking it opens the session with the IP and username already filled in. If you tick Allow me to save credentials, Windows stores the password in Credential Manager. Only do this on a computer that you alone use.

Disconnect vs. sign out

Closing the Remote Desktop window only disconnects you. Your programs keep running on the server, which is useful for long downloads or installs. To end the session completely, open the Start menu on the server, click the user icon and choose Sign out.

Fix common Remote Desktop errors

“Remote Desktop can’t connect to the remote computer.” Your PC cannot reach port 3389. Check the IP and make sure the server shows as running in the Client Area. After a reboot, Windows needs a minute or two before RDP answers. Test the port from PowerShell:

Test-NetConnection 203.0.113.10 -Port 3389

If TcpTestSucceeded is False while the server is running, the Windows firewall or a changed RDP port is the usual cause.

“The credentials that were used to connect did not work.” The username or password is wrong. Type Administrator exactly, and try .Administrator if a domain name is pre-filled. Check that Caps Lock is off and that the keyboard layout is the one you expect. If you saved a password earlier, edit the saved connection: it may still hold an old password.

“An authentication error has occurred. The function requested is not supported.” One side is missing Windows security updates. Run Windows Update on your own computer first. If you can still reach the server another way, update it too.

The screen is black after login. Wait 30 seconds. On the first login, Windows builds the user profile before showing the desktop. If it stays black, disconnect and connect again.

Keep your Windows VPS safe

• Change the delivered password right away. See our guide to changing the Windows password inside Remote Desktop.
• Use a long password of 16 or more characters. Port 3389 is scanned constantly on every public IP.
• Install Windows updates regularly from Settings › Windows Update.

If you still can’t connect after these checks, open a ticket through our contact page. Include the server IP, the exact error message and the time you tried.

Frequently asked questions

Which port does Remote Desktop use?

TCP port 3389 by default. If the port was changed on the server, add it after the IP, for example 203.0.113.10:3390.

Can two people use the same Windows VPS at the same time?

Windows Server allows two simultaneous administrative sessions without extra licensing. More users need Remote Desktop Services licenses.

Do my programs stop when I close the RDP window?

No. Closing the window only disconnects you. Use Sign out from the Start menu when you want to end the session.

What is the default username?

Administrator, unless you created another user after the first login.