Virtual Private Servers (VPS) and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allow users to remotely access a dedicated virtual machine with the power and flexibility of a physical server. These programs give users more control over their projects and ensure improved performance and security than traditional remote desktop solutions.
Additionally, the highly customizable nature of VPS and RDP allows users to create solutions that meet their specific needs without the limitations of shared resources or fixed settings. In search of a VPS Hosting solution? Our list of the recommended VPS hosting providers will help
Top VPS Hosting Providers We Recommend
| Provider | User Rating | Best For | Expert & User Reviews | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.8 | Performance | Kamatera Review | Visit Kamatera |
 | 4.0 | Reliability | Hostinger Review | Visit Hostinger |
 | 4.4 | Uptime | InterServer Review | Visit InterServer |
We’ve also rated the Best Windows RDP Servers Out There
Overview of VPS with RDP
VPS with RDP service provides access to an online machine housed on a physical server, pre-configured with the Windows operating system, and allows users to use Windows-based programs, execute software, manage files, and carry out other duties.
How to Connect VPS with RDP
To connect VPS with RDP, you must ensure your local computer has a strong and steady internet connection before linking to your VPS server. Also, provide the highest level of security when connecting to your VPS server by keeping your RDP software up to date. Follow these steps to connect to a Windows VPS using RDP:
- First, ensure your RDP connection to your VPS server is authorized and operational
- Click the Start menu on your local Windows system, type “Remote Desktop Connection,” and tap the Enter key
- Type the IP address, hostname, login, and password in the Remote Desktop Connection box
- You can choose the precise RDP session parameters, such as display resolution and audio redirection
- Click the “Connect button to start the RDP session after entering all the necessary information
- Now, you are RDP-connected to your Windows VPS. You have full access to its files and resources as if you were physically present with the server
1. Choosing a VPS Provider
You must ensure your hosts have good resources to get the best out of your VPS hosting providers. These resources include an excellent uptime rate (99.99% is possible), daily backup, security checks, and effective and fast customer support. They must also have considerable storage size, most especially SSD type.
Additionally, you’d want to ensure that your VPS hosting company offers a pocket-friendly plan, a money-back guarantee, and a free trial to test out their service before formally deciding on the host of your choice. The average price of a typical provider is around $10-$20 annually, which is not too expensive to kickstart your journey.
2. Selecting an RDP Client
To determine an RDP client that best suits your needs, you must do extensive web research and gather data on product documentation. Also, evaluate RDP clients based on features like platform compatibility, bandwidth needs, assistance with remote printing, file transfer capability, and built-in security.
- Consider the cost and license structures for each RDP client. Decide which is most appropriate for your company and delivers the best value for your money.
- After you have whittled down your list of viable RDP clients, evaluate each one’s performance, utility, and usability. Your assessment will give you a first-hand impression of each client and help you make smart decisions.
After deciding on your preferred RDP client, you should download and install the selected client on your local machine. The following instructions will guide you.
To download:
- Ensure you have your system connected to the internet. Once you are connected, click here to connect to the downloading page
- Select your RDP hosting client, save and download it
To install:
- Click on your Windows start menu and select “Explore”
- Navigate to the desktop and double-click on “msrdpcli.exe”
- Click on next and accept the terms and conditions, follow the next prompt to install, and you are done
3. Configuring the VPS and RDP Client
Different providers and operating systems have diverse methods of configuring VPS. You can always refer to their tutorials for steps to configure a VPS. Select a VPS provider from the many choices available, conduct your research, and pick a provider best suited to your needs.
To access your VPS control panel, log in with the details you get on purchase from your provider and navigate to your control panel. Logging into your dashboard will show a list of servers available based on your subscription. Locate your server settings tab, where you can configure your firewall and administrative access.
For firewall configuration:
- Locate the firewall tab under your server settings
- Create rules to either allow or deny incoming and outgoing traffic
- Set up port forwarding for traffic redirection
For Administrative Access configuration, you can:
Start by creating a user account and assigning different levels of access right based on priority, e.g., administrative access for full control for the admin/user and read-only access for non-admin users.
How to Configure the RDP Client Settings
- Click on the start menu, type ”Remote Desktop Connection” in the search bar, and open-press the enter key
- The RDP windows will pop up, enter the IP or hostname of your VPS Server and connect
- Enter your username and password to log in to your VPS server
- To configure your display resolution click on the display tab of the RDP client and pick your preferred resolution. For keyboard settings, locate and click on the “Local resources” tab, and select your preferred keyboard. Follow the same process for remote access configuration under the ”local resources” tab and select the resources you would like to access remotely.
- Remember to click on the connect button after changing your configuration settings to be able to connect your VPS server
4. Connecting to the VPS via RDP
- Locate the RDP client on your Local PC by searching for “Remote Desktop Connection” in the start menu; you can do the same by simply typing ”mtsc”
- Type in your VPS IP address given by your VPS provider in the blank field and click enter. Alternatively, type in the hostname of your VPS in place of the IP address.
- Now, click the connect button to connect to the VPS
Recommendations for Using VPS with RDP
- Use strong passwords: When creating a passcode for your RDP connection, include a combination of letters, numbers, and at minimum, two special characters while keeping it as long as possible within the permitted limit. Doing this will shield your RDP session from unwanted access by making it impossible for any software or person to predict it.
- Activate Network Level Authentication: Employing a network-level authentication process in RDP connections is advisable. When you try to connect using RDP, it will first request your login information to check your authorization. If the check is successful, the login screen will then show.
With the help of this more secure authentication technique, you can shield the remote computer from rogue users and dangerous software. It increases security and lessens the likelihood of DoS attacks.
- Prevent unauthorized access using the Windows firewall: A firewall could be a piece of hardware or software that guards your computer against online threats. Based on your system administrator’s settings, your firewall decides whether to provide access to your machine or prevent it when a request is made for access.
When you activate the Remote Desktop function, Windows automatically generates Windows Firewall with the best settings.
- Modify the Remote Desktop listening port: The standard listening TCP and UDP port for Remote Desktop connections is 3389, although you can change this default port to any other port number. Changing the number is especially helpful if a firewall protects the remote machine. The firewall forbids using ports other than the authorized or standard assigned ports.
Best Practices for Using VPS with RDP
Here are some best practices for using VPS with RDP:
1. Secure your VPS
One of the ways to keep your VPS secure is by configuring your operating system for regular and automatic updates. It ensures that new security patches and updates are installed regularly. These updates will keep your system in check against vulnerabilities that could lead to online attacks by hackers.
You should make sure that your computer is configured as follows to guarantee that the most recent Windows updates are downloaded and set up automatically on your device:
- From the Start menu, hit the Control Panel. Click Windows Update, then choose to install optional updates.
- In the left panel, tap the Change settings.
- Under Crucial updates, select the option that you want.
- Under Recommended updates, choose the “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” check box, then tap OK. You may be asked for an admin passcode or to confirm your choice.
Installing and configuring trustworthy antivirus and firewall software is necessary to safeguard your VPS from viruses and unwanted access. Brand-new PCs usually have a pre-installed anti-virus, but you might have to download them sometimes.
Follow the instructions below to install an antivirus program on your computer:
- Locate the downloaded antivirus file on your computer after downloading the program from the internet.
- To extract and access the installation files, unzip the downloaded file if it is a zip file. Double-click a file with the names setup.exe, install.exe, or a similar name if you find one. An opening window to aid with your installation should signal the beginning of the process.
- Follow the instructions in the installation procedure window to install the antivirus software. Uncheck all boxes or refuse to install additional apps if asked, as the antivirus program should install and operate without any other software.
- Close the install window after the installation is finished.
- The antivirus program is now installed and ready to use.
2. Optimize RDP Access
The current version of the RDP client software, RDP 10, provides a more robust and optimal security enhancement than the previous release. One of its distinctive features is the support for the latest encryption protocols, which improves data transmission between the remote pc and the client device. It also supports remote and bi-directional audio recording and has improved hardware-accelerated graphics.
One simple way to optimize the RDP experience is by configuring its settings, such as adjusting the display resolution and enabling audio redirection. This method improves the remote desktop’s visual quality and enhances the audio-based application user experience. The peripheral device redirection also allows users to remotely access printers and scanners.
Despite its huge advantages, RDP has its share of limitations. Here are some of them:
- Security risks: If set up incorrectly, RDP might present security problems. For instance, an attacker could execute a brute-force assault to guess a user’s password and obtain access to the remote desktop. They may steal important information or install malware. These breaches can occur if RDP is not configured with Network Level Authentication (NLA).
- Bandwidth limitations: When using RDP, data transmission between local and remote computers uses a lot of bandwidth. Slower or unstable connections worsen the situation and may cause poor performance and high inactivity. RDP also utilizes a protocol for compressed image transfers, which might lead to reduced image quality, particularly when showing graphics or video.
- Limited compatibility: RDP’s compatibility with other platforms may be denied because it was primarily created for use with Windows operating systems. Although RDP clients exist for several non-Windows operating systems, like macOS and Linux, they are not as capable as the Windows client. Also, some features, including USB device redirection and remote printing, might be unavailable or need other settings.
3. Manage User Accounts
It is important to create separate accounts for different users. These accounts must have unique usernames and passwords, ensuring that each user has proper access control over their data and security. Additionally, limiting users’ permission based on requirements for carrying out their tasks is crucial.
Only some team members should be able to make changes or access important applications. Only the administrator must be able to read and write files to make changes to important applications and beyond.
Follow these procedures to split user accounts for various functions and restrict permissions by needs:
- On your computer, click “User Accounts” in the Control Panel
- Click “Manage another account,” then “Add a new user in PC settings,” to add a new user
- After entering their name, choose whether the person should have a local or Microsoft account
- Provide a password for the account and decide whether the user should be a basic user or an administrator when creating a local account
- After creating the account, enter the Control Panel and choose “User Accounts” once more to change the user’s permissions
- Choose whether the user should be an ordinary user or an administrator by clicking “Change account type”
- With the Group Policy Editor, you can further restrict the user’s permissions—type “gpedit. msc” in the Start menu search field to launch the Group Policy Editor
- Enter “Computer Configuration,” “Windows Settings,” “Security Settings,” “Local Policies,” and “User Rights Assignment”
- Here, you can give special permissions to single individuals or user groups
- Close the Group Policy Editor after saving your modifications
Auditing user accounts and activity logs enables logging and monitoring all user activities. It is another way of managing user accounts as it minimizes security breaches. Only a system administrator or a power user like an IT technician can perform this task. Follow these steps to audit a user account:
- Type “gpedit. msc” in the Start menu search box and hit enter to launch the Group Policy Editor. Go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies to access the audit policy. The auditing procedures for various events, including account login events, object access, and policy modification, can be configured here. Select ”Success” or “Success and Failure” for the auditing policies.
- Monitor the event logs by launching the Event Viewer application and choosing “Windows Logs” > “Security” to access the system event logs. Keep an eye out for any circumstances, such as unsuccessful login attempts, modifications to user profiles or group memberships, or illegal access to files or folders that might point to a cyber attack or unauthorized access.
- Use specialized tools such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) software. These technologies can aid in correlating events from many sources to spot suspicious activity patterns.
Read more about Kamatera
Technical Advantages of Using a VPS with RDP
One of the major advantages of using a VPS with RDP is the freedom of control over your resources from your Windows operating system and within its environment. Unrestricted access to server resources such as CPU, Memory, and storage summarizes the benefits.
1. Increased Security
Connecting a VPS with RDP will ensure you maintain a more secure remote connection than the traditional RDP solutions. The customary solutions usually have security drawbacks and expose you to vulnerabilities that lead to external attacks. However, VPS uses encryption, ensuring that all sensitive data are securely transmitted over the internet.
2. Improved Performance
Due to dedicated resources, a VPS with RDP performs better than traditional remote desktop solutions. It prevents performance issues like slow reaction times, capacity limitations, and low productivity.
A VPS with RDP provides unrestricted access to all server resources and can be tailored to the user’s unique requirements. The user can choose their CPU, Memory, and storage amounts.
3. Flexible Storage
VPS with RDP allows users to have flexible and customizable storage options to easily increase or decrease their storage size based on their needs. Users can also choose their preferred storage technologies, such as cloud, Solid State, or hard disk drive to minimize cost and optimize performance.
Choosing these storage technologies comes with their distinctive value. SSD can be faster and, at the same time, expensive, while HDD is slower but affordable. Cloud, however, is the most secure but will require an internet connection.
Conclusion
To use a VPS with RDP, choose a hosting provider and pick a plan that meets your demands to configure and use a VPS with RDP. Upon registration, you will receive login information and guidance on accessing the VPS via RDP. The VPS can then be managed remotely using RDP.
It is critical to adhere to the best practices, including minimizing resource allocation, employing a lightweight operating system, enabling caching and compression, and using monitoring tools.
Next Steps: What Now?
Now that you understand the need for using a VPS with RDP, here are some practical next steps to take:
- Choose from the best VPS hosting providers on HostAdvice
- Choose from the best Remote Desktop Hosting providers on HostAdvice
- Set up your VPS by Following the hosting provider’s instructions
