How do I connect to my Windows VDS via RDP?

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is Microsoft's protocol that lets you connect to Windows-based servers remotely via a graphical interface. While SSH gives you the command line on Linux VDS, RDP gives you the full desktop on Windows VDS as if the server were in front of you. The client is bundled with the Windows operating system; free apps are available for macOS, Linux and mobile.

1. Finding the Connection Details

You'll need the following details for an RDP connection:

• Server IP address (e.g. 185.105.10.42)
• Username (default Administrator)
• Password (the administrator password set during installation)
• Port (default 3389)

To find these:

1. Go to musteri.kolan.net.tr and sign in to your account.
2. From the top menu, go to Services → My Services.
3. Click your Windows VDS product; the opened page shows the IP, username and password.

2. Connecting from Windows with Remote Desktop Connection

The RDP client (mstsc.exe) is preinstalled on Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type mstsc in the dialog and press Enter. (Alternative: type Remote Desktop Connection in the Start menu.)
2. Enter your VDS's IP address in the Computer field.
3. To pre-fill the username, click Show Options → General and enter Administrator in the User name field.
4. Optional: Adjust screen resolution from the Display tab, and audio/local drive sharing from the Local Resources tab.
5. Click the Connect button.
6. On the password screen, enter your administrator password and click OK.
7. If a certificate warning appears, click Yes to continue; after connecting, the Windows desktop opens.

3. Connecting from macOS with Microsoft Remote Desktop

1. Download Microsoft Remote Desktop free from the App Store.
2. Open the app and click the + at the top left, then Add PC.
3. Enter the VDS IP in the PC name field.
4. From the User account menu, choose Add User Account... and set username (Administrator) and password.
5. Save with Add.
6. Double-click the server card on the main screen to connect; on the certificate warning, click Continue.

4. Connecting from Android and iOS

1. Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from Google Play / App Store.
2. Tap the + icon at the top right and Add PC.
3. Enter the IP, username and password, and save.
4. Tap the server card to connect.

Mobile screens are small, so this is only practical for emergency intervention; for longer work prefer a desktop/laptop.

5. Connecting from Linux

On Linux you have three popular options; the easiest is Remmina (preinstalled on Ubuntu / Debian):

1. Open Remmina and click the + at the top left.
2. Select RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol from the Protocol menu.
3. Enter IP in Server, Administrator in Username, and your password in Password.
4. Click Save and Connect.

If you prefer the command line, you can use xfreerdp:

xfreerdp /u:Administrator /v:185.105.10.42 /size:1440x900

6. Common Errors

• "An authentication error has occurred": Your client's CredSSP version is outdated; run Windows Update. As a temporary workaround, the Encryption Oracle Remediation group policy setting can be used but is not recommended.
• "The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication": Your client doesn't support NLA (very old Windows). Upgrade to the latest Remote Desktop Connection.
• "This computer can't connect to the remote computer": The server is off, the RDP service has stopped, or port 3389 is blocked by your firewall. Restart the server from the client area and try over a different network.
• Connects but stays on a black screen: The Windows session on the server has frozen. Restart your VDS from the client area.
• "The user account is not authorized for remote login": The user is not in the Remote Desktop Users group. Add them via Computer Management → Local Users and Groups on the server.

7. Security Recommendations

• Change the administrator password on first login and make it strong (16+ characters, mixed).
• Keep Network Level Authentication (NLA) always on (enabled by default).
• If possible, move the default 3389 port to a less-guessable port.
• Use an Account Lockout Policy to lock the account after a few failed attempts (brute-force protection).
• To allow connections only from trusted IPs, define a rule in Windows Firewall or use a VPN / RD Gateway.
• Run Windows Update regularly; RDP vulnerabilities are mostly patched through updates.

If you have an error while connecting, you can open a support ticket and share a screenshot; our team will inspect and help.