[Yandex Cloud documentation](../index.md) > [Yandex Cloud Desktop](index.md) > Getting started > For users

# Getting started with Yandex Cloud Desktop for users

Cloud Desktop allows you to access a remote desktop configured by your administrator.

To get started with Cloud Desktop:

1. [Get the connection credentials](#get-credentials).
1. [Connect to the desktop](#connect-desktop).
1. Learn about basic [operations with desktops](#operations).


## Get connection credentials {#get-credentials}

{% list tabs group=instructions %}

- User desktop showcase {#desktop-showcase}

  1. Open the [User desktop showcase](https://console.yandex.cloud/showcase/cloud-desktop).
  1. Sign in with your [Yandex ID](https://yandex.com/support/id/index.html) or using [Single Sign-On (SSO)](../organization/concepts/add-federation.md).
  1. If the desktop you want to connect to has the `Stopped` status, run it by clicking ![image](../_assets/console-icons/play.svg) and then confirming the action.
  
      Wait for the desktop status to change to `Active`.
  1. Click ![image](../_assets/console-icons/lock-open.svg) and confirm the password reset.
  1. Save the new password from the pop-up window that appears, then close the window.
  1. Click ![image](../_assets/console-icons/arrow-down-to-line.svg) **Download RDP file**.

{% endlist %}

## Connect to the desktop {#connect-desktop}

{% note info %}

* Use the desktop user password. This password is not the same as your Yandex account password. If you do not know your password, [get a new one](operations/desktops/password-reset.md).
* The login is filled automatically from the RDP file. If you need to enter it manually, specify your email without the domain, e.g., `user` instead of `user@example.com`.

{% endnote %}

{% list tabs group=operating_system %}

- Windows {#windows}

  1. Right-click the downloaded RDP file and select **Edit** (in Windows 11, select **Show more options** → **Edit**).
  1. In the **Remote Desktop Connection** window, open the **General** tab, select **Allow me to save credentials**, and click **Connect**.
  1. In the security window that opens, select **Don't ask me again for connections to this computer** and click **Yes**.
  1. Enter the password you saved previously, select **Remember me**, and click **OK**.

  To reconnect to the desktop, run the RDP file you saved.

- macOS {#macos}

  1. Install and run [Microsoft Remote Desktop](https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id1295203466), the official free RDP client for macOS.
  1. Open the **Connections** menu amd click **Import from RDP file**.
  1. In the window that opens, select the downloaded RDP file and click **Import**.
  1. In the **Microsoft Remote Desktop** menu, select **Settings**.
  1. In the window that opens, navigate to the **User Accounts** tab.
  1. Select the account you want to connect to from the list on the left, and paste the previously saved password into the **Password** field.
  1. Close the settings window.
  1. In the **PCs** tab, run the desktop you added.
  1. In the security window that opens, click **Continue**.

  To reconnect to the desktop, run it from the **PCs** tab in the Microsoft Remote Desktop client. In the security window that opens, click **Continue**.

  #### Useful links {#mac-see-also}

  * [Getting started with a remote desktop in macOS](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-mac)

- Linux {#linux}

  1. Install [Remmina](https://remmina.org), a free RDP client for Linux, by running the following commands in the terminal:

      ```bash
      sudo apt-add-repository ppa:remmina-ppa-team/remmina-next
      sudo apt-get update
      sudo apt-get install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp
      ```

  1. Start Remmina.
  1. In the top menu, click ![image](../_assets/console-icons/bars.svg) and select **Import**. Select the downloaded RDP file and click **Import**.
  1. Right-click the added desktop and select **Edit**.
  1. In the **Remote Connection Profile** window, set up the connection:

     * In the **Username** field, remove the first two characters: `.\`.
     * In the **Password** field, enter the previously saved password.
  1. Click **Save and Connect**.

  To reconnect to the desktop, run it in the Remmina client.

  #### Useful links {#lin-see-also}

  * [Installing Remmina on non-Ubuntu Linux distributions](https://remmina.org/how-to-install-remmina/)

{% endlist %}


## Operations with desktops {#operations}

### Starting, restarting, or stopping a desktop {#start-stop}

{% list tabs group=instructions %}

- User desktop showcase {#desktop-showcase}

  1. Open the [User desktop showcase](https://console.yandex.cloud/showcase/cloud-desktop).
  1. In the desktop card, click:

      * ![image](../_assets/console-icons/play.svg) to start the desktop.
      * ![image](../_assets/console-icons/arrow-rotate-right.svg) to restart it.
      * ![image](../_assets/console-icons/power.svg) to stop the desktop.

  1. Confirm the action.

{% endlist %}


### Resetting a password {#password-reset}

{% list tabs group=instructions %}

- User desktop showcase {#desktop-showcase}

  1. Open the [User desktop showcase](https://console.yandex.cloud/showcase/cloud-desktop).
  1. If the desktop you want to connect to has the `Stopped` status, run it by clicking ![image](../_assets/console-icons/play.svg) and then confirming the action.
  
      Wait for the desktop status to change to `Active`.
  
  1. Click ![image](../_assets/console-icons/lock-open.svg) and confirm the password reset.
  1. Save the new password from the pop-up window that appears, then close the window.

{% endlist %}

## Troubleshooting {#problems}

**Connection failure**

* Download the RDP file again. The previous file may no longer be valid.
* If you forgot your desktop password, click **Reset password**.
* If the desktop is not responding, click **Restart**.
* Contact your system administrator.