Where to look for your RDS login information

Your RDS username and password are usually stored in one of three places: your email inbox (in a welcome message from when you first set up the account), your browser's password manager, or the RDS website itself if you can still access it with a recovery method. If you set up RDS through your employer or school, they may have issued it to you in a separate document or email — check your work email archive or ask your IT department directly.

RDS stands for Remote Desktop Services, which is Microsoft's system for connecting to a computer from another location. Your credentials are specific to that remote connection, not your Microsoft account, so they won't appear in your regular Microsoft password settings. The username often looks like a domain name followed by a backslash and your account name — for example, COMPANY\jrodriguez — though some setups use just your email address.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your email for a welcome message from when your RDS account was created, which usually contains both your username and a temporary password.
  • Your browser's password manager (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari) may have saved your RDS credentials if you logged in before and chose to save them.
  • If your organization issued the account, contact your IT department or help desk — they have a record of what was sent to you and can reset your password.
  • The RDS server itself may have a password reset option if you can reach the login screen, though this varies by how your organization set it up.

Checking your email for the original credentials

When an RDS account is first created, the person who set it up usually sends you an email with your username and a temporary password. Search your email for messages from your IT department, your manager, or the person who manages your remote access. Use search terms like "RDS", "Remote Desktop", "username", or "password" to narrow the results. Check both your inbox and your archive or spam folders, since some automated emails end up there.

The email typically arrives within a few hours of account creation and includes the exact username format you need to use (whether it's DOMAIN\username, your email address, or something else) and instructions for logging in. If you find the email but the password is marked as temporary, you will need to log in once and change it to something you choose — most systems force this on the first login.

Finding saved passwords in your browser

If you have logged into RDS before on your current computer, your browser probably saved the credentials. Open your browser's password manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), then search for "RDS" or the name of your remote server. Most browsers show you the saved username and password right there, though some require you to click "Show" or "Reveal" next to the password field.

In Chrome, go to Settings > Passwords and search for your RDS server name. In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Passwords and search the same way. In Edge, go to Settings > Passwords and search. Safari stores passwords in Keychain on Mac — open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities, search for your RDS server, and double-click the entry to see the password (you may need to enter your Mac login password first).

Resetting your password through your organization

If you cannot find your original credentials and your browser did not save them, contact your IT department or help desk. They can confirm your username, send you a password reset link, or issue you a new temporary password. Have your employee ID or student ID ready when you call or email, and explain that you need to reset your RDS password specifically — not your general network password or email password, which are separate.

Most organizations have a self-service password reset portal on their intranet or IT website. Look for a link labeled "Reset Password", "Forgot Password", or "Password Management". If you can log into your email or your organization's main network, you may be able to reset your RDS password from there without contacting anyone. The exact steps depend on how your organization configured the system, so check your IT documentation or intranet first.

Using password recovery if you can reach the login screen

If you can get to the RDS login screen but do not remember your password, look for a "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password" link. Not all RDS setups include this option — it depends on whether your organization enabled it. If it is there, click it and follow the prompts, which usually ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number that was set up when your account was created.

If there is no recovery option on the login screen, you will need to go back to your IT department. They can reset it for you, and the process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on how busy they are. Some organizations allow you to request a reset through a ticket system on their website, which may be faster than calling.

What to do if your organization cannot find your account

In rare cases, an RDS account may not be in the system at all — this can happen if the person who set it up left the organization or if there was a miscommunication about whether you needed access. If your IT department says they have no record of your account, ask them to create a new one. Provide your full name, employee or student ID, and the name of the person or department that requested the access originally.

New account creation usually takes one to three business days. In the meantime, ask your IT department whether you can use a temporary workaround to access what you need — some organizations can grant you access through a different method while your RDS account is being set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my RDS password myself without calling IT?

It depends on your organization's setup. Some have a self-service portal on their intranet or IT website where you can reset it yourself. Others require you to call or email IT. Check your organization's IT documentation or intranet first — if there is no self-service option listed, contact IT directly.

What if I remember my username but not my password?

Contact your IT department and tell them your username. They can send you a password reset link or issue a temporary password. Have your employee or student ID ready. If you can reach the RDS login screen, look for a "Forgot Password" link first — it may let you reset it without calling anyone.

Is my RDS password the same as my email password?

No. RDS credentials are separate from your email password, your network login, and your Microsoft account password. They are specific to remote desktop access only. Your IT department manages all of these separately, so resetting one does not affect the others.

Where do I enter my RDS username and password?

You enter them in the Remote Desktop Connection process (built into Windows) or Microsoft Remote Desktop (on Mac). Open the app, enter your server address, and when prompted, enter your username and password. The username format matters — if IT told you it is DOMAIN\username, type it exactly that way.

What if my username has a backslash in it and I do not know what comes before it?

The part before the backslash is your domain name, which your IT department assigned. Check your original welcome email or any IT documentation you received. If you cannot find it, call IT and ask for your full RDS username including the domain. They will give you the exact format to use.