Connect to Windows Server via RDP (Remote Desktop) on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Windows Server relies on a protocol named RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). With RDP you can log in to your server remotely and work on it. Think of it as the Windows equivalent of administering a Linux server over SSH.

Choose your desktop operating system below and follow the corresponding steps.

Windows

Step 1: Locate the RDP client

From a Windows PC, connecting to a Windows Server is straightforward because Windows includes a built-in tool called Remote Desktop Connection for RDP access. By default, you can find it here:

%windir%\system32\mstsc.exe

Step 2: Connect to the server

After starting the app, enter the IP address or hostname of your server. You can find the server IP in the centron Control Panel. To sign in, select Use another account. This is required because you are not logging in with your Microsoft or local Windows user. Provide your username and password, and the domain if necessary. Example:

rdp_1.png

Click OK to complete the login.

Once connected, your session will look like this:

rdp_2.png

At the top edge of the window you can see which server you are currently connected to and manage the session. To end the session, click the X icon to disconnect.

OS X

Step 1: Install an RDP client

On macOS, there is no RDP tool preinstalled. You need to download Microsoft’s official RDP application from the Mac App Store. Open the App Store and search for RDP. Choose Microsoft Remote Desktop and install it:

rdp_3.png

After installation, launch the app from Launchpad or Finder.

Step 2: Connect to the server

To add your server, click New in the menu. You will be prompted for several fields:

Connection name: A readable label to identify the server (for example IIS Server 1).

PC name: The IP address or hostname of your server (for example ws01.contoso.com).

User name: Your username (add the domain if required) (for example me@dc.local).

Password: Your password.

Close the dialog afterward. You don’t need to save manually. Double-click the connection name to start the session. The remote desktop will open in full screen.

Linux

Since Linux comes in many distributions, you’ll need to pick an RDP client that suits your setup. Common choices include:

rdesktop

xrdp

Because each client works differently, please follow the documentation of the specific tool you choose.

Conclusion:

With RDP you can access and manage your Windows Server remotely, similar to using SSH on Linux. On Windows, the Remote Desktop Connection tool is built in, making setup quick. macOS users need to install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store, then add the server details. On Linux, you choose an RDP client such as rdesktop or xrdp and follow its manual. Once connected, you can work on your centron Windows Server just like a local machine and disconnect anytime.