# Connecting to a Windows VM via RDP

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) with Network Level Authentication (NLA) is enabled for images of all versions and editions of the Windows operating system prepared for Yandex Cloud. Before connecting to a VM, make sure that NLA is enabled in your desktop settings.

You can connect to a VM with the `RUNNING` status over RDP. It may take some time for all services to initialize after the VM [starts](../vm-control/vm-stop-and-start.md#start). If you get a connection error, try again in a few minutes.

Virtual machine [security groups](../../../vpc/concepts/security-groups.md) must allow incoming TCP traffic to port 3389.

To connect using RDP, specify the public IP address or the FQDN of the VM. You can use FQDN to access a VM from another Yandex Cloud VM if both are connected to the same network. To get the IP address and FQDN, use the management console: go to the **Network** section on the VM page.

To connect to the VM:

{% list tabs group=operating_system %}

- Windows {#windows}

  1. Click **Start**.
  1. In the search box, type **Remote desktop connection** and select the relevant item.
  1. In the **Remote desktop connection** window, enter the public IP address of the VM to connect to in the **Computer** field.
  1. Click **Connect**.
  1. Specify the account settings:
     * **User name**: `Administrator`.
     * **Password**.
  1. Click **OK**.

  {% note info %}
  
  It usually takes up to 6 minutes to start a VM and initialize Remote Desktop (RDP). In rare cases, loading may take much longer than the time specified. For example, when using:
  
  * [VMs with less than 100% guaranteed vCPU performance](../../concepts/performance-levels.md).
  * VMs that generate a load that exceeds the boot disk's [IOPS limit](../../concepts/limits.md#limits-disks).
  * Network HDD drives with small storage capacity.
  
  {% endnote %}

  #### See also

  * [Remote desktop connection](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-remote-desktop-5fe128d5-8fb1-7a23-3b8a-41e636865e8c).

- macOS {#macos}

  1. Install and run [Microsoft Remote Desktop](https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id1295203466) (official free RDP client for Mac).
  1. Click ![image](../../../_assets/plus.svg) → **Add PC**.
  1. In the **Add PC** dialog, enter the public IP address of the virtual machine to connect to in the **PC name** field.
  1. In the **User account** field, select **Add User Account**.
  1. In the **Add a User Account** dialog, specify the account settings:
     * **Username**: `Administrator`.
     * **Password**.
  1. Click **Add** twice.
  1. Connect to the remote machine by double-clicking the connection you created in the main Microsoft Remote Desktop window.

  #### See also

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

- Linux {#linux}

  1. Install Remmina (a free RDP client for Linux) using the commands:

     ```bash
     sudo apt-add-repository ppa:remmina-ppa-team/remmina-next
     ```

     ```bash
     sudo apt-get update
     ```

     ```bash
     sudo apt-get install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp
     ```

  1. Start Remmina.
  1. Click ![image](../../../_assets/plus.svg).
  1. Fill in the **Profile** block as follows:
     * **Name**: Name for the connection.
     * **Protocol**: **RDP - Remote Desktop Protocol**.
  1. In the **Basic** tab specify the details for connection and authorization:
     * **Server**: Public IP address of the virtual machine to connect to.
     * **User Name**: `Administrator`.
     * **Password**.
  1. Click **Save**.
  1. Connect to the remote machine by double-clicking the connection you created in the quick access connection list.

  #### See also

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

{% endlist %}

#### What's next {#what-is-next}

* [Using Yandex Cloud from within a VM](auth-inside-vm.md)