Introduction

The RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol developed by Microsoft that allows you to remotely connect to a Windows computer and take full control of it as if you were in front of the screen. It is the standard method for administering a Windows VPS.

Required Connection Information

Before you start, retrieve this information from your OuiHeberg client area:

Information	Description	Example
IP Address	Your VPS's public IP	203.0.113.50
Username	Administrator account	Administrator
Password	Initial password	(provided by email)
RDP Port	Default port	3389

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Connection from Windows

Windows natively integrates the Remote Desktop client.

Method 1: Via Windows Search

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard
2. Type "Remote Desktop Connection" or simply "RDP"
3. Click on the displayed application

Method 2: Via Run

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type mstsc
3. Press Enter

Method 3: Via the Start Menu

1. Click on Start
2. Navigate to Windows Accessories (or Windows Tools on Windows 11)
3. Click on Remote Desktop Connection

Connection Steps

Step 1: In the "Remote Desktop Connection" window, enter your VPS's IP address in the "Computer" field

Step 2: Click on "Connect"

Step 3: An identification window appears:

• Username : Administrator
• Password : The provided password

Step 4: Check "Remember my credentials" if desired

Step 5: Click "OK"

Step 6: A certificate warning may appear ("The identity of the remote computer cannot be verified"). Check "Don't ask me again for connections to this computer" and click "Yes"

You are now connected to your Windows VPS!

Advanced Options

Before connecting, click on "Show Options" to access advanced settings:

Display Tab:

• Screen resolution (full screen or custom)
• Color depth

Local Resources Tab:

• Sound redirection
• Printer redirection
• Clipboard redirection
• Access to local drives

Experience Tab:

• Connection quality (LAN, modem, etc.)
• Enable/disable visual effects

Advanced Tab:

• Server authentication
• Remote Desktop Gateway

Save the Connection

To avoid re-entering information each time:

1. Configure all desired settings
2. Click on "Save As" in the General tab
3. Save the .rdp file to your desktop
4. Double-click on this file to quickly reconnect

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🍎 Connection from macOS

macOS does not have a native RDP client. You need to install the official Microsoft application.

Install Microsoft Remote Desktop

Method 1: App Store (Recommended)

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop"
3. Click on "Get" then "Install"

Method 2: Windows App (New App)

Microsoft now offers Windows App which is gradually replacing Microsoft Remote Desktop:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for "Windows App"
3. Install the application

Configure the Connection

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Applications folder or Launchpad

Step 2: Click on the "+" button at the top left, then select "Add PC"

Step 3: Fill in the information:

• PC name : Your VPS's IP address (ex: 203.0.113.50)
• User account : Click on the dropdown menu → "Add User Account"

Step 4: In the account addition window:

• Username : Administrator
• Password : Your password
• Click "Add"

Step 5: Optional: Give a friendly name to your connection in "Friendly name"

Step 6: Click on "Add" to save

Connect

1. Double-click on the connection created in the list
2. If a certificate warning appears, click on "Continue"
3. You are connected!

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts → Windows

Windows Action	Mac Shortcut
Windows Key	Cmd (⌘)
Alt	Option (⌥)
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V	Control+C / Control+V
Alt+Tab	Control+Tab
Delete	Fn+Backspace

Folder Redirection

To access your Mac files from the VPS:

1. Modify the connection (right-click → Edit)
2. Go to the "Folders" tab
3. Check "Redirect folders"
4. Click on "+" to add a folder to share

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🐧 Connection from Linux

On Linux, the recommended RDP client is Remmina, installed by default on Ubuntu and many distributions.

Install Remmina

Ubuntu / Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp -y

Fedora:

sudo dnf install remmina remmina-plugins-rdp -y

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S remmina freerdp

Using Snap (all distributions):

sudo snap install remmina

Using Flatpak:

flatpak install flathub org.remmina.Remmina

Configure the Connection

Step 1: Launch Remmina from the applications menu

Step 2: Click on the "+" button at the top left to create a new connection

Step 3: Fill in the information:

• Name : Connection name (ex: "My Windows VPS")
• Protocol : Select RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol
• Server : Your VPS's IP address
• Username : Administrator
• Password : Your password
• Domain : Leave blank
• Resolution : Choose a resolution or "Use client resolution"
• Color depth : RemoteFX (32 bpp) recommended

Step 4: Click on "Save and Connect" or just "Save"

Quick Connect

For a quick connection without creating a profile:

1. In the address bar at the top of Remmina
2. Select RDP from the dropdown menu
3. Enter the VPS's IP address
4. Press Enter
5. Enter your credentials

Remmina Advanced Options

In the "Advanced" tab of the configuration:

• Quality : Adjust according to your connection
• Sound : Audio redirection
• Security : TLS negotiation

In the "SSH Tunnel" tab:

• Possibility to tunnel the RDP connection via SSH for added security

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📱 Connection from Smartphone/Tablet

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for "Windows App" or "Microsoft Remote Desktop"
3. Install the application
4. Launch the application and tap on "+"
5. Select "Add PC"
6. Enter the IP address and configure the user account
7. Tap on the connection to connect

Android

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Search for "Microsoft Remote Desktop" or "RD Client"
3. Install the official Microsoft application
4. Launch the application and tap on "+"
5. Select "Add PC"
6. Enter your VPS's IP address
7. Configure the user account
8. Save and tap to connect

Mobile Tips

• Use landscape mode for a better experience
• Enable the virtual keyboard via the application's options
• Pinch-to-zoom allows you to zoom in on the remote screen
• A stylus can improve precision

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⚙️ Windows VPS Configuration

If Remote Desktop is not enabled on your VPS, here's how to activate it.

Windows Server 2019/2022/2025

Method 1: Via Settings

1. Click on Start → Settings
2. Go to System → Remote Desktop
3. Enable "Enable Remote Desktop"
4. Confirm the activation

Method 2: Via System Properties

1. Right-click on This PC → Properties
2. Click on "Remote settings" (on the left)
3. In the "Remote" tab, check "Allow remote connections to this computer"
4. Click OK

Check the Firewall

The RDP port (3389) must be open:

1. Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
2. Click on "Inbound Rules"
3. Verify that "Remote Desktop - User Mode (TCP-In)" is enabled
4. If not, right-click → "Enable Rule"

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🔒 Secure RDP Connection

RDP is a frequent target of attacks. Here's how to secure your connection:

1. Change the Default RDP Port

Port 3389 is constantly scanned by bots. Change it:

1. Open Regedit (Registry Editor)
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp
3. Double-click on PortNumber
4. Select Decimal and enter a new port (ex: 33890)
5. Click OK
6. Restart the Remote Desktop service or the server
7. Remember to open the new port in the firewall

To connect with a custom port, add it after the IP: 203.0.113.50:33890

2. Enable NLA Authentication

Network Level Authentication (NLA) adds a security layer:

1. Open System Properties → Remote
2. Check "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication"

3. Use Strong Passwords

• Minimum 12 characters
• Mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
• Change the password regularly

4. Limit Connection Attempts

Set an account lockout policy:

1. Open gpedit.msc (Group Policy Editor)
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Account Policies → Account Lockout Policy
3. Configure:
   • Lockout threshold: 5 attempts
   • Lockout duration: 30 minutes
   • Counter reset: 30 minutes

5. Use a VPN

For maximum security, connect to a VPN before using RDP. This hides the RDP port from the Internet.

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🔧 Troubleshooting

"Unable to connect to the remote computer"

Checks:

1. Is the IP address correct?
2. Is the VPS running?
3. Does the firewall allow port 3389?
4. Is Remote Desktop enabled on the VPS?

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"Credentials did not work"

Solutions:

1. Check the username: Administrator (not "Administrateur" in French)
2. Check password case sensitivity
3. Try with the format: .\Administrator
4. Reset the password from your client area

"Unapproved Certificate" / Certificate Error

This is normal on first connection. Check the box to no longer display the warning and click "Yes" or "Continue".

Very Slow or Choppy Connection

Solutions:

1. Reduce display resolution
2. Disable visual effects (Experience tab)
3. Reduce color depth (16 bits)
4. Check your Internet connection
5. Close resource-intensive applications on the VPS

"Remote Desktop cannot connect..." (error 0x204)

Possible Causes:

• Remote Desktop service is not running
• Firewall is blocking the connection
• RDP port has been changed

Solution: Connect via your client area's VNC console and check the configuration.

Automatic Disconnection After a Few Minutes

The server may be configured to disconnect inactive sessions:

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Session Time Limits
3. Adjust the timeout settings

Frozen Session / Not Responding

1. Wait a few seconds, there may be network lag
2. Press Ctrl+Alt+End (equivalent to Ctrl+Alt+Del in RDP)
3. If that doesn't work, close the RDP window and reconnect
4. As a last resort, restart the VPS from your client area

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📋 Quick Summary

System	Application	Installation
Windows	Remote Desktop	Integrated (mstsc)
macOS	Microsoft Remote Desktop	App Store
Linux	Remmina	apt install remmina
iOS	Windows App / RD Client	App Store
Android	RD Client	Play Store

Quick Windows Command

mstsc /v:IP_ADDRESS

Example:

mstsc /v:203.0.113.50

With custom port:

mstsc /v:203.0.113.50:33890

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💡 Best Practices

1. Change the default password on first connection

2. Enable automatic updates for Windows

3. Install an antivirus if handling sensitive data

4. Regularly back up your data

5. Log out properly (Start → Log Off) instead of closing the window

6. Monitor connections via Windows Event Viewer

7. Avoid exposing RDP directly if possible, use a VPN