How to connect via RDP to your LumaDock Windows Server VPS

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):

• Server IP address
• Username: Administrator
• Password (from deployment email)

Also confirm:

• Your VPS is running in the LumaDock dashboard.
• Remote Desktop (RDP) port 3389 is allowed in your Cloud Firewall rules.

Connect from Windows PC

1. Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter.
2. In Computer, enter your VPS IP address (example: 203.0.113.10).
3. Click Connect.
4. Enter your credentials:
   • Username: Administrator
   • Password: (your VPS password)
5. If a certificate warning appears, click Yes to continue.
6. 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 VPS, click Yes to proceed. The warning appears because the VPS uses a self-signed certificate.

Troubleshooting

Connection fails or times out

• Check that your VPS is running in the LumaDock dashboard.
• Confirm port 3389 is allowed in your Cloud Firewall.

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 LumaDock dashboard to reset the Administrator password or enable Remote Desktop if it was disabled.

Security best practices

• Change your Administrator password after 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)

1. Open your VPS in the LumaDock dashboard.
2. Go to Firewall → Add Rule.
3. Allow inbound TCP port 3389 (ideally from your IP only).

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 firewall rules.