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Remote Desktop lets you see and use your Windows server’s desktop from your own computer or phone, as if you were sitting in front of it. This guide shows you how to connect for the first time.

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What you need

To open the server panel, click Services in the top menu (page: My Products & Services), then open your Windows VPS.

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Connect

In the steps below, replace 203.0.113.10 with your server’s IP address.
1

Open Remote Desktop Connection

Press the Windows key, type Remote Desktop Connection and open it.
2

Enter the IP address

In Computer, type your server’s IP address and click Connect.
3

Enter your login details

When asked for credentials, choose More choices → Use a different account. Enter Administrator as the username and the password from your welcome email.
4

Accept the certificate warning

The first time you connect, Windows warns that the server’s identity can’t be verified. Check that the IP address is correct, then click Yes.
If your welcome email gives a Remote Desktop port, add it after the IP address with a colon. For example, 203.0.113.10:3390.
Your server can be reached from anywhere on the internet. Change the Administrator password from your welcome email after you first log in, use a long password you don’t use anywhere else, and never share it.

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Forgot the Administrator password?

On the server panel, click the Overview tab and click Reset Windows Password.

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Can’t connect?

Check that the server is running: the server panel should show Running. If it doesn’t, use Power to start it, or click Restart. If you’ve set up a firewall on the Firewall tab or changed Windows Firewall, make sure Remote Desktop is still allowed.
Check that the username is Administrator and copy the password again carefully, with no extra spaces. If it still fails, reset the password as shown above.
Click Console on the server panel. It opens your server’s screen in your browser, so you can log in and fix the problem even when Remote Desktop isn’t working.
HostCloud VPS plans are semi-managed. We help with server access and the network, and you look after Windows and the software on your server. See Support hours and what we cover.
Still stuck? Open a ticket with your server’s IP address and the exact error message.