# How to connect to my Windows VPS using RDP
Source: https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-rdp
Last reviewed: 2026-07-05
Summary: Your Windows VPS comes with Remote Desktop ready to use, connect with the username Administrator and the password from your provisioning email. Quick steps for Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android, and Linux, with links to detailed screenshot guides per device.

## What this is

Your Windows VPS comes with **Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) activated and ready to use**, no setup needed on the server. You need two things, both in your welcome email (subject: **"New Windows VPS - Provisioning Started"**):

- your **VPS IP address**,
- your **Administrator password** (the username is always `Administrator`).

Copy and paste the password rather than typing it, stray whitespace and typos are the number one login problem. Lost it? See [What is my Administrator password?](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/administrator-password)

## From Windows

Every Windows PC has the client built in, nothing to install:

1. In the taskbar search, type "Remote Desktop Connection" and open it.
2. Enter your VPS IP in **Computer** and click **Connect**.
3. Log in as `Administrator` with your password.
4. Accept the certificate prompt with **Yes**.

Step-by-step with screenshots: [Connecting from another Windows computer](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-from-windows).

## From a Mac

1. Install **Windows App** (Microsoft's remote desktop client, formerly "Microsoft Remote Desktop") from the [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windows-app/id1295203466).
2. **Add PC**, enter your VPS IP as the **PC name**, and **Add**.
3. Double-click the PC, log in as `Administrator`, and accept the certificate.

Step-by-step with screenshots: [Connecting from a Mac](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-from-mac).

## From an iPhone or iPad

Install Microsoft's [Windows App Mobile](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/remote-desktop-mobile/id714464092), add a PC with your VPS IP, and log in as `Administrator`. Screenshots: [Connecting from an iPhone or iPad](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-from-iphone-ipad).

## From Android (or a Chromebook)

Install Microsoft's [Remote Desktop client from Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.rdc.androidx), add a PC with your VPS IP, and log in as `Administrator`. Screenshots: [Connecting from an Android device](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-from-android).

## From Linux

Any RDP client works: **Remmina** (usually preinstalled on desktop distros), **FreeRDP** (`xfreerdp /v:YOUR.VPS.IP /u:Administrator`), or rdesktop. Same IP, username, and password as above.

## Can't get in?

**Just provisioned, or just reinstalled?** Windows finishes setting itself up for a few minutes after provisioning or a [reinstall](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/reinstall-os) completes, and RDP is one of the last things to come up. If the connection is refused or times out right after either, that's normal: **wait up to 5 minutes and try again** before treating it as a problem.

Still nothing? Run the [Windows Troubleshooter](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/windows-troubleshooter), it checks that your VPS is powered on, that RDP is enabled, and that the password on file works, and lets you reset the password if it doesn't.

## Still need help?

You can [open a support ticket](https://vpsdime.com/open-ticket/). So we can help on the first reply, it's worth mentioning:

- the VPS hostname or IP,
- the device and client you're connecting from, with the exact message it shows,
- what the Windows Troubleshooter reported.

## Related questions

- "How do I connect to my Windows VPS?"
- "What program do I use for RDP?"
- "What are my Windows VPS login details?"
- "Can I connect to my Windows VPS from a phone or a Mac or Linux?"
- "I just got my Windows VPS and RDP won't connect yet."
- "RDP doesn't work right after reinstalling Windows, is something wrong?"