--- title: "How to access your Windows VPS via RDP" description: "How to connect to your Windows Server VPS using Remote Desktop from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPhone — and what to do when the connection is refused." url: "https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp" type: "article" language: "en" category: "VPS" published: "2026-09-02" translations: pt-BR: "https://redhosting.com.br/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp.md" en: "https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp.md" es: "https://redhosting.com.br/es/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp.md" de: "https://redhosting.com.br/de/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp.md" --- # How to access your Windows VPS via RDP How to connect to your Windows Server VPS using Remote Desktop from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPhone — and what to do when the connection is refused. - RedHosting knowledge base guide — category: VPS - HTML page: https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-windows-via-rdp - Published on: 2026-09-02 · Language: en A Windows Server VPS has no monitor or keyboard. You use its desktop over the network through RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), which comes built into Windows and has an official app for every other system. ## 1. What you need Three pieces of information, all in the credentials email the VirtFusion panel sent when Windows finished installing: - The VPS's **IP address** — something like `203.0.113.45`. - The **username**, which on Windows Server is `Administrator`. - The **password** generated during installation. If you haven't installed Windows on the VPS yet, start with [How to activate your VPS and choose the operating system](/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-ativar-sua-vps-e-escolher-o-sistema-operacional). ## 2. Connecting from Windows The client is already installed on your computer — there's nothing to download. - Press **Windows + R**, type `mstsc` and press Enter. The **Remote Desktop Connection** window opens. - In the **Computer** field, type the VPS's IP and click **Connect**. - When asked for credentials, use `Administrator` as the username and the password from the email. - You'll see a warning that the remote computer's certificate isn't recognized. That's expected on a new VPS, which uses a self-generated certificate. Check **Don't ask me again** and click **Yes**. The Windows Server desktop opens right after. From there on, it's regular Windows. 💡**Tip**: Before connecting, click **Show Options** in the mstsc window and open the **Local Resources** tab. Under **Local devices and resources** → **More**, check your computer's drives. They show up inside the VPS as if they were its own disks, and copying files becomes drag and drop. ## 3. Connecting from other systems - **macOS** — install **Windows App** (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop), free on the Mac App Store. Click **+** → **Add PC**, enter the IP under **PC name** and the credentials under **User account**. - **Linux** — use **Remmina**, available in most distributions, choosing the **RDP** protocol. From the command line, the `freerdp` package does the job: `xfreerdp /v:YOUR_IP /u:Administrator`. - **Android and iPhone** — install Microsoft's **Windows App** (Microsoft Remote Desktop), available in both stores. You fill in the same things: IP, username and password. ## 4. When the connection is refused There are only a few causes, and each has its own symptom. The table sums up what to do in each case: What you seeMost likely causeWhat to do Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computerVPS off or still installingCheck in the panel that the status is **Running** Connection refused with the VPS onPort 3389 blocked by the firewallLog in through the VNC console and allow the Remote Desktop rule Your credentials did not workUsername typed wrong or password lostUse `Administrator`, or generate a new password in the panel The session drops after a few secondsAnother admin session is openSign out of the session on the other device ### "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer" The VPS is almost always off or still installing. Open the VirtFusion panel from the client area and check that the status is **Running**. If Windows is still installing, wait for it to finish — Windows Server takes longer than any Linux to be ready. ### Connection refused even with the VPS on The Windows firewall may be blocking port **3389**, RDP's default port. In that case, log in through VirtFusion's **VNC console** — a screen connected directly to the machine that doesn't depend on network configuration — and allow the **Remote Desktop** rule in Windows Firewall. ### "Your credentials did not work" - Make sure the username is spelled exactly `Administrator`, not "admin". - If the field comes pre-filled with your computer's user, click **More choices** → **Use a different account**. - Copying and pasting the password avoids typos, especially since the panel's generated passwords mix upper case, lower case and symbols. - If the password was lost, generate a new one in VirtFusion, in the server's settings area. The old password stops working immediately. ### The connection drops after a few seconds Two accounts connected at the same time knock each other off: without Remote Desktop Services licenses, Windows Server accepts one admin session at a time. If you left a session open on another device, **sign out** of it instead of just closing the window. ⚠️**Important**: Change the Administrator password on first login. Port 3389 exposed to the internet gets automated login attempts all the time, and a default password is the easiest target there is. ## 5. Making access more secure - **Change the password** to a long, unique one generated by a password manager. - **Restrict access by IP**: in Windows Firewall, edit the Remote Desktop rule and limit the scope to your IP address, if it's static. - **Rename or disable** the `Administrator` account and create an admin account with a different name. Half of automated attacks only try that user. - **Keep Windows Update on**. The most exploited RDP flaws already had published fixes when they were used. Before exposing your Windows VPS ✓The `Administrator` password was changed to a long, unique one. ✓The RDP firewall rule is restricted to your IP, if it's static. ✓There's an admin account with a different name, and `Administrator` is disabled. ✓Windows Update is on and the first round of updates has run. RedHosting's network already filters denial-of-service attacks in two layers, but that protection covers traffic — your machine's password remains the responsibility of whoever manages it. ## Need help? If RDP still doesn't respond after all this, open a ticket at [financeiro.redhosting.com.br](https://financeiro.redhosting.com.br) or contact support on WhatsApp at **+55 11 98833-3902**, 24 hours a day. ## Frequently asked questions **What's the default username on a Windows VPS?** `Administrator`. It comes in the credentials email together with the IP and the password generated during installation. **Which port does RDP use?** Port 3389. If the connection is refused with the VPS on, that's the port being blocked by the Windows firewall. **Can I access the Windows VPS from my phone?** Yes. Install the Windows App (Microsoft Remote Desktop), available for Android and iPhone, and fill in IP, username and password. **How do I copy files from my computer to the VPS?** In the mstsc window, click Show Options → Local Resources → More and check your computer's drives. They show up inside the VPS as disks, and copying becomes drag and drop. **I lost the Administrator password. How do I recover it?** It can't be recovered, only replaced: the server settings in VirtFusion have an option to set a new password, which takes effect immediately. **The connection drops by itself after a few seconds. Why?** Two admin sessions at the same time knock each other off. Sign out of the session open on the other device instead of just closing the window. ## Navigation — VPS (article 2 of 6) - Previous article: [How to activate your VPS and choose the operating system](https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-ativar-sua-vps-e-escolher-o-sistema-operacional.md) — https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-ativar-sua-vps-e-escolher-o-sistema-operacional - Next article: [How to access your Linux VPS via SSH](https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-linux-via-ssh.md) — https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento/como-acessar-sua-vps-linux-via-ssh - Back to the knowledge base: https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento --- Need help with these steps? RedHosting's 24/7 support: suporte@redhosting.com.br · WhatsApp +55 11 98833-3902 · https://redhosting.com.br/discord More guides: https://redhosting.com.br/en/base-de-conhecimento.md