How to Log In to a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop (RDP) from Windows, Mac and Linux

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) lets you control a Windows VPS with a full graphical desktop, just like a local PC. This tutorial explains how to log in to a JUSTG Windows cloud server running Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022 using the built-in Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc) on Windows, Windows App (formerly Microsoft Remote Desktop) on macOS and Remmina on Linux. You will also learn how to copy and paste between computers, share local drives and avoid keyboard layout problems.

Step 1: Get the Windows VPS login details

Log in to the JUSTG client area, go to My Products & Services and open your Windows VPS. Note the IPv4 address, the username (normally Administrator) and the password. RDP uses TCP port 3389 by default. In the examples below we use the documentation address 203.0.113.30.

Step 2: Connect with Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc) on Windows

Press Win + R, type the command below and press Enter:

mstsc

Enter 203.0.113.30 in the Computer field and click Connect. When asked for credentials, choose More choices > Use a different account and type Administrator and your password. A certificate warning appears on the first connection because the VPS uses a self-signed certificate; tick Don't ask me again and click Yes. You can also start a session directly from the command line:

mstsc /v:203.0.113.30
mstsc /v:203.0.113.30:3390

The second form is for a server where you changed the RDP port. Click Show Options > Save As to store the connection as an .rdp file on your desktop.

Step 3: Connect from macOS with Windows App

On a Mac, install Windows App (the new name of Microsoft Remote Desktop) from the Mac App Store. Then:

1. Click + and choose Add PC.
2. Enter the VPS IP as PC name.
3. Under Credentials add a new account with the user Administrator and your password.
4. Save, double-click the new tile and click Continue on the certificate prompt.

Step 4: Connect from Linux with Remmina

Remmina is a friendly RDP client for Linux desktops. Install it with the RDP plugin:

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp

# Rocky / AlmaLinux / CentOS (needs EPEL)
sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install remmina

Open Remmina, select RDP in the protocol list, type the IP and press Enter, then log in as Administrator. If you prefer the command line, FreeRDP works too:

xfreerdp /v:203.0.113.30 /u:Administrator +clipboard /dynamic-resolution

Step 5: Enable clipboard and drive redirection

Redirection lets you paste text and transfer files without a separate FTP tool.

• mstsc: click Show Options > Local Resources, tick Clipboard, then click More... and tick the drives you want to share. They appear in File Explorer on the VPS under This PC.
• Windows App (Mac): edit the PC, open the Folders tab, enable Redirect folders and add a local folder. Clipboard sharing is in the Devices & Audio tab.
• Remmina: in the connection profile set a Share folder on the Basic tab; clipboard sync is on by default.

xfreerdp /v:203.0.113.30 /u:Administrator +clipboard /drive:share,/home/alice/share

Step 6: Fix keyboard layout issues

RDP sends key positions, and Windows applies the input language of the remote session. If symbols such as @, / or accented letters come out wrong, add your layout on the VPS under Settings > Time & Language > Language and switch with Win + Space. On a Mac, use Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V inside the session, and press Ctrl + Alt + End on Windows clients to send Ctrl+Alt+Del to the remote machine (needed for changing the password).

FAQ

Why do I get "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer"?

Check that the VPS is running in the client area, that the IP is correct and that port 3389 is allowed in Windows Firewall. You can open the VNC console from the client area to inspect the server even when RDP is unavailable.

My password is rejected but I copied it correctly. What now?

Type the user as .\Administrator so Windows does not try a domain account, and avoid copying trailing spaces. If it still fails, reset the password from the client area.

Should I change the default RDP port?

Changing port 3389 and restricting RDP to your own IP in Windows Firewall greatly reduces brute-force login attempts. Always allow the new port in the firewall before restarting the service.

If you still cannot log in to your Windows VPS, please submit a ticket to JUSTG technical support with a screenshot of the error.