You do not need a Windows PC to use a Windows server. A Mac can connect to any RDP server with Microsoft's free Windows App (previously called Microsoft Remote Desktop), and the whole setup takes about two minutes once you have the server's address and login.
What you need first
- The server's IP address, shown in your dashboard once the server is deployed.
- The Administrator username and the password you set when ordering.
- A Mac running a current macOS release.
If you do not have a server yet, our Windows RDP plans start at $10 a month and can be paid in crypto with no ID.
Step 1: install the client
Open the Mac App Store, search for Windows App (by Microsoft) and install it. It is free. Older guides call it Microsoft Remote Desktop; it is the same family of app and the steps are nearly identical.
Step 2: add the server
- Open the app and choose Add PC (or the plus button, then PC).
- In PC name, paste the server's IP address.
- Under User account, choose Add User Account, enter
Administratorand the password, and save. - Give the connection a friendly name, such as the location, and click Add.
Step 3: connect
Double-click the new entry. The first time, macOS may show a certificate warning because the server uses a self-signed certificate. That is normal for a fresh server: check that the name is the IP you expect and choose to continue. You should now see the Windows desktop.
Tips that make it comfortable
- Clipboard and files. Copy and paste text between your Mac and the server works by default. To move files, enable folder redirection in the connection settings.
- Resolution. Turn on Optimize for Retina displays for sharp text, or lower the resolution if the connection feels slow.
- Keyboard shortcuts. Use the Use Mac keyboard shortcuts option if you want Cmd+C and Cmd+V to behave as on your Mac.
- Sound. You can play audio from the server on your Mac in the device settings.
If it will not connect
- Check the IP address and that the server shows as running in your dashboard.
- Make sure your own network allows outgoing connections on port 3389. Some office and hotel networks block it.
- A black screen after login is a different problem, covered in how to fix an RDP black screen.