Connect to a Windows instance

If your Windows instance can access Internet, you can use remote connection tools to connect to it. Otherwise, you can use the Management Terminal.

This article describes how to use remote connection tools to connect to a Windows instance from local machines running different operating systems.

Prerequisites

• The instance is in the Running status. If not, start it.

• You have set a logon password for the instance. If the password is lost, reset the password.

• The instance can access Internet:

  • In a VPC, a public IP address is assigned to the instance or an EIP address is bound to the instance.
  • In the classic network, a public IP address is assigned to the instance by using either of the following methods:
    • For a Subscription or a Pay-As-You-Go instance, you can select Assign public IP when creating the instance.
    • For a Subscription instance without public IP address, you can assign one by upgrading bandwidth.
• The following security group rules must be added to the security group that the instance joins. For more information, see Add a security group rule.

  Network type	NIC	Rule Direction	Authorization Policy	Protocol Type	Port Range	Authorization Type	Authorization Object	Priority
  VPC	N/A	Inbound	Allow	RDP(3389)	3389/3389	Address Field Access	0.0.0.0/0	1
  Classic	Internet

Procedure

Based on the operating system of your local machine, you have various options to connect to a Windows instance:

• Windows OS
• Linux OS
• Mac OS X
• Android or iOS

Windows OS

If the local machine is running Windows OS, you can use the mstsc to create a remote connection to a Windows instance.

1. Use any one of the following methods to start mstsc.

   • Select the Start icon > Remote Desktop Connection.
   • Click the Start icon and search for mstsc.
   • Press the shortcut key Windows Logo + R to open the Run window, type mstsc, and then press the Enter key.

2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, follow these steps:

   1. Click the Show Options drop-down box.

      

   2. Type the public IP address or EIP address of the instance.

   3. Type the user name. The default user name is Administrator.

      Note: If you want to log on to the instance next time without repeating these steps, select Allow me to save credentials.

      

   4. Optional. If you want to copy text or files from the local machine to the instance, click the Local Resources tab to see options for sharing local computer resources.

      • If you want to copy text only, select Clipboard.

        

      • If you also want to copy files, select More > Drives, and select drive letters from which you want to copy files to your instance and click OK.
        

   5. Optional. Click the Display tab and resize the remote desktop window. Full Screen is recommended.

      

   6. Click Connect.

Linux

If the local machine is running Linux OS, you can use a remote connection tool to create a remote connection to a Windows instance. This article takes rdesktop as an example to describe how to connect a Windows instance from a local machine running Linux.

1. Download and start rdesktop.

2. Run the command to connect to a Windows instance. Replace the parameter values with your own configurations.

   rdesktop -u administrator -p password -f -g 1024*720 192.168.1.1 -r clipboard:PRIMARYCLIPBOARD -r disk:sunray=/home/yz16184

   For more information about all the parameters of the rdesktop command, see rdesktop documentation.

Mac OS

To connect to a Windows instance from a local machine running Mac OS, see Get started with Remote Desktop on Mac in the Microsoft website.

Android or iOS

If your local machine is running Android OS or iOS, you can use various apps to connect to a Linux instance. For more information, see Connect to an instance on a mobile device.