This guide explains how to connect from your Windows PC to your Windows Server VPS using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
- Before you begin
- Connect from Windows PC
- About the certificate warning
- Troubleshooting
- Security best practices
- Appendix: Firewall & service checks
- Quick checklist
Before you begin
Have your VPS details ready (sent by email after deployment):
- Server IP address
- Username:
Administrator
- Password (from deployment email)
Also confirm:
- Your VPS is running in the LifeinCloud dashboard.
- Remote Desktop (RDP) port
3389
is allowed in your Cloud Firewall rules.
Connect from Windows PC
- Press Win + R, type
mstsc
, and press Enter. - In Computer, enter your VPS IP address (example:
203.0.113.10
). - Click Connect.
- Enter your credentials:
- Username:
Administrator
- Password: (your VPS password)
- Username:
- If a certificate warning appears, click Yes to continue.
- Your Windows Server desktop will now load.
About the certificate warning
It is normal to see a security warning the first time you connect to your VPS. As long as the IP address matches your LifeinCloud VPS, click Yes to proceed. The warning appears because the server uses a self-signed certificate.
Troubleshooting
Connection fails or times out
- Check that your VPS is running in the LifeinCloud dashboard.
- Confirm port
3389
is allowed in your Cloud Firewall rules.
Invalid username or password
- Always use
Administrator
as the username. - Carefully retype your password (avoid spaces when copy/pasting).
Still can’t log in?
Use the VNC/Console option in the LifeinCloud dashboard to reset the Administrator password or enable Remote Desktop if it was disabled.
Security best practices
- Change your Administrator password after your first login.
- Restrict RDP access to your own IP address in the Cloud Firewall if possible.
- Keep Windows Server updated for security and performance.
Appendix: Firewall & service checks
Check Cloud Firewall (recommended)
- Open your VPS in the LifeinCloud dashboard.
- Go to Firewall → Add Rule.
- Allow inbound TCP port
3389
(ideally restricted to your own IP).
Check inside Windows Server
If you use the VNC/Console:
powershell
# Enable RDP
Set-ItemProperty 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server' `
-Name fDenyTSConnections -Value 0
# Allow RDP in Windows Firewall
Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup 'Remote Desktop'
Quick checklist
- Have your VPS IP, username (
Administrator
), and password ready. - On your Windows PC, run
mstsc
and connect to the VPS IP. - Accept the certificate warning if it appears.
- Change your password after first login.
- Secure RDP access with Cloud Firewall rules.