Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows users to access their Windows VPS directly from a remote location.
This article will guide you on connecting Windows VPS using Remote Desktop Protocol.
Windows OS
Video Tutorial
Steps
1. Click Start → All Programs → Windows Accessories → Remote Desktop Connection.
- OR -
2. Click Start → Windows System → Run.
3. Type mstsc in the text box and click on the Ok button.
4. Enter your Server's IP Address:Port Number in the Computer field and click on the Connect button. Here, we have entered 192.168.2.153:7576 as an example. You need to replace it with your actual VPS IP address and port number.
5. You will see a new window. Enter your Username and Password and click on the OK button.
6. Once you click the Ok button, you will see an SSL Certificate warning message. You must ignore this warning message and tick the box 'Don't ask me again for connections to this computer.' Then, finally, click on the Yes button to proceed further.
Congratulation! You have successfully logged into Windows VPS.
Regardless of the Remote Desktop client and Operating System, you need to enter the Computer name/IP address:Port in the Remote Desktop Connection Window.
Note
Remote Desktop Connection is available only for Windows VPS or Dedicated Servers. If you are a Windows Shared Hosting user, you cannot connect to the Hosting Server.
MAC OS
Video Tutorial
Steps
To connect to your Windows VPS or Dedicated server from Mac OS, you can use Microsoft Remote Desktop.
1. Open the App Store and download Microsoft Remote Desktop using the Get button.
2. Once Microsoft Remote Desktop is installed on your Mac system, open the program.
You will see the following interface –
3. Click on the New button icon, and it will start a new Remote Desktop Connection.
4. We will need to enter the PC Name, Username, and Password.
- PC Name: Your Server's IP Address.
[If RDP is configured on a non-standard port, i.e., any other port other than 3389, then you will have to mention your VPS-IP-Address:Port Number, e.g., 127.0.0.0:1245]. - Enter your Username and Password, and press the red X button at the top left of the screen to save the connection
5. Now, you will see your connection in the list.
Click on the Start button to connect your remote server. 
6. You will get a certificate warning message. You can ignore it. Click on the Continue button to proceed further.
7. Once you click on it, you will see your remote server screen.
Linux OS:
Video Tutorial
Steps
You can use the open-source client rdesktop for Linux to connect to your VPS from any Linux distribution.
1. You can download the rdesktop client from this URL –
2. Once the rdesktop is installed in your Linux system; run the following command in the Terminal –
rdesktop VPS_IP_Address...(If RDP service is configured on default port) OR
rdesktop VPS_IP_Address:port number...(if RDP service is configured on a non-standard port)
3. You will receive a Windows login prompt: enter your VPS Username(administrator) and password and click the Right Arrow button.
Note
Remote Desktop Connection is available only for Windows VPS or Dedicated Servers. If you are a Windows Shared Hosting user, you cannot connect to the Hosting Server.
→ Looking to change VPS password?
Please refer to the article on how to Change the VPS password for more details.
