How to Connect to a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop

A Windows VPS is managed through Remote Desktop (RDP), which shows the server's Windows desktop in a window on your own computer. You can then install software, run Windows Update and configure IIS just as if you were sitting at the server.

This guide covers the first connection and the security steps you should take straight away.

Before you start

• Log in to your FimuroHost client area, open Services and select your Windows VPS. Note the IP address and the password. They are also in your welcome email.
• The username is Administrator.
• RDP uses TCP port 3389. Some office or public Wi-Fi networks block it; if you cannot connect, try another network.

Connect from Windows

1. Press the Windows key, type Remote Desktop Connection and open it (or run mstsc).
2. Click Show Options.
3. In Computer, enter your VPS IP address. In User name, enter Administrator.
4. Optional: on the Local Resources tab, click More… and tick a drive so you can copy files between your PC and the server.
5. Click Connect and enter the password.
6. A warning says the server's identity cannot be verified. This is because the server uses its own self-signed certificate. Tick Don't ask me again for connections to this computer and click Yes.

Tip: click Save As on the General tab to keep an .rdp shortcut on your desktop.

Connect from macOS, iPhone, iPad or Android

1. Install Microsoft's Windows App (previously called Microsoft Remote Desktop) from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Tap + → Add PC.
3. Enter the VPS IP as the PC name, add a user account with Administrator and your password, and save.
4. Open the PC and accept the certificate warning.

On Linux, Remmina (choose the RDP protocol) works well.

First things to do after logging in

1. Change the Administrator password

Inside the remote session press Ctrl+Alt+End (not Ctrl+Alt+Del, which goes to your own PC) and choose Change a password. Use at least 14 characters. Bots try common passwords against RDP all day long.

2. Run Windows Update

Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update (or Windows Update in newer versions) and install everything, rebooting as asked. Set active hours so the server does not restart during your busy time.

3. Create a second admin account

In Computer Management → Local Users and Groups → Users, create a named account, add it to the Administrators group, and use it day to day. Attackers always guess the Administrator name first.

4. Limit who can reach RDP

If you connect from a fixed IP address, restrict RDP to it:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. Under Inbound Rules, open Remote Desktop - User Mode (TCP-In).
3. On the Scope tab, under Remote IP address, choose These IP addresses and add yours.

Careful: many home and mobile connections in Bangladesh get a new IP address regularly. If your IP changes after you restrict RDP, you will be locked out and need console access from us. Only use this if your IP is fixed, or add a range you trust.

Keep Network Level Authentication turned on (System Properties → Remote), as it blocks many attacks before the login screen even loads.

Hosting websites on a Windows VPS

To serve ASP.NET or other sites, add the Web Server (IIS) role in Server Manager → Manage → Add Roles and Features, then open ports 80 and 443 in the Windows firewall. Point your domain at the VPS IP as described in How to Point Your Domain to Your VPS.

Common problems

• “Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer”: the server may be restarting after updates. Wait five minutes. Also check the IP, and try a different network.
• “An authentication error has occurred” / CredSSP: your own PC or the server is missing updates. Update your computer; if it still fails, ask us for console access so you can update the server.
• “The user account has been locked”: too many wrong passwords (possibly from bots). Wait for the lockout period to end, then change the password and restrict RDP by IP.
• Only two people can log in at once: Windows Server allows two simultaneous administrative sessions without extra Remote Desktop licences.
• Forgot the Administrator password: open a support ticket; we can arrange console access so you can reset it.

Need help?

If something about the VPS itself is not working (it won't start, you can't reach it, or you need console access, an upgrade or a reinstall), open a support ticket from your client area or message us on WhatsApp at 01818160926. Include your VPS IP address and what you have already tried so we can help faster.