What Is RDP? Remote Desktop Protocol Explained

RDP, the Remote Desktop Protocol, is a Microsoft protocol that lets you see and control another computer's Windows desktop over a network. You use a small client program, and everything you see is the remote machine: its files, its programs and its processing power.

How RDP works

The remote computer (the server) sends a compressed picture of its screen, plus sound and clipboard data, to your client. Your keyboard and mouse actions travel back the other way. The programs run on the server, not on your device, so a modest laptop or phone can drive a powerful Windows machine.

By default RDP uses TCP and UDP port 3389. Connections are encrypted, and with Network Level Authentication (NLA) you prove who you are before a session is even created.

What people use an RDP server for

• Windows-only software that you want to run from a Mac, Linux laptop or phone.
• Trading terminals and bots that must stay online around the clock. See VPS for trading bots for the latency side of this.
• Browser automation and testing on a clean machine you can delete afterwards.
• A desktop in another country for latency or regional access.

RDP vs VPS vs VNC vs SSH

• RDP server vs a Linux VPS. A Windows RDP server is a Windows machine with a graphical desktop. A Linux VPS is usually managed through a terminal and costs less because it needs no Windows licence.
• RDP vs VNC. VNC shares a screen in a more basic way and is common on Linux. RDP is built into Windows and is usually smoother because it sends drawing instructions, not just pixels.
• RDP vs SSH. SSH gives you a text terminal. RDP gives you the full desktop.

What you need to start

1. A Windows server with RDP enabled, such as one of our Windows RDP plans.
2. The server's IP address and Administrator login.
3. An RDP client for your device: built into Windows, and free for Mac, Linux and Android and iPhone.

Security basics

Because RDP is a popular target, protect it: use a long unique password, enable Network Level Authentication and keep Windows updated. Our Windows RDP security checklist walks through each step.