Where your RDS credentials come from

Your RDS username and password are created when you first set up your Remote Desktop Services connection, usually by your IT department, your hosting provider, or yourself if you manage your own server. Unlike a social media password you create from scratch, RDS credentials are often assigned to you rather than chosen by you — and they may be stored in places you don't when ready think to look.

The location of your credentials depends on who set up your RDS access. If your employer or organization provided it, your IT support team holds the master record. If you rent a virtual server from a hosting company like AWS, DigitalOcean, or Linode, your provider sent them to you when the server was created — usually in a welcome email or in your account dashboard. If you set up RDS on your own computer or network, you created them yourself and need to retrieve them from your local records.

Key Takeaways

  • Your RDS username and password were created either by your IT department, your hosting provider, or by you, depending on who set up the connection.
  • Check your email for a welcome message from your provider or IT team that contains your initial credentials.
  • Your hosting provider's account dashboard or control panel usually displays or allows you to reset your RDS password without contacting support.
  • If you created the credentials yourself, check your password manager, local configuration files, or system settings where you stored them.
  • Most providers allow you to reset a forgotten password through a self-service option rather than requiring a support ticket.

Check your email for the original credentials

When RDS access is first created, the person or organization setting it up almost always sends the username and password to you by email. Search your email inbox — including spam and promotions folders — for messages from your IT department, your hosting provider's name, or the domain name of the server you're connecting to.

Look for subject lines like "Your server is ready", "RDS access created", "Remote Desktop credentials", or the provider's name followed by "welcome" or "account setup". The email typically contains your username, a temporary password, and instructions for changing it on first login. If you find this email, write down the username and password exactly as shown, including capitalization and special characters.

If you cannot find the original email, check whether it was forwarded to you by someone else — a colleague, manager, or family member who set up the access on your behalf. They may have the email in their sent folder or can resend it to you.

Reset your password through your provider's dashboard

Most hosting providers and RDS management platforms let you reset your password without contacting support. Log into your account on the provider's website using whatever credentials you use to manage your account there — this is separate from your RDS username and password.

Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Servers", "Instances", "Virtual Machines", "Remote Desktop", or "RDS". Click on the server or instance you need to connect to. You should see an option to "Reset password", "Change password", "Manage credentials", or "Security settings". Click that option, enter a new password (the system will usually show you the password requirements), and confirm it.

The new password takes effect when ready or within a few minutes. Write it down in a find location — a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass is the safest choice — before you close the page. If you cannot find a password reset option in your provider's dashboard, contact their support team with your account details and ask them to reset it for you.

Retrieve credentials you created yourself

If you set up RDS on your own computer or network, you chose the username and password at that time. Check the places where you typically store passwords: your browser's password manager, a dedicated password manager process, a text file on your computer, or written notes.

On Windows, if you created a local user account for RDS access, you can reset the password through Settings. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select "Other people", find the account name, and click "Reset password". On a Mac or Linux system, open Terminal and use the command line to reset the password — the exact command depends on your operating system and RDS setup, so search for "[your OS] reset RDS password" or consult your system documentation.

If you cannot locate or reset the password yourself, and you are the administrator of the system, you may need to restart the RDS service or access the system through an alternative method (such as physical access to the computer or a backup administrator account) to regain control.

Contact your IT department or provider if you're stuck

If you've checked your email, searched your password manager, and tried the provider's self-service reset and still cannot find your credentials, contact the organization that manages your RDS access. Have your account number, email address, or server name ready when you reach out.

Most IT departments and hosting providers can verify your identity and reset your password within minutes. They may ask you to answer security questions, confirm your email address, or provide other proof that you own the account. Be prepared to wait a few hours if you contact them outside business hours.

Store your credentials securely going forward

Once you have your username and password, do not store them in a plain text file on your desktop or in an email draft. Use a password manager — a tool designed to encrypt and store passwords safely. Most password managers (Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass, KeePass) can autofill your RDS credentials when you connect, so you don't have to type them manually each time.

If you must write them down, keep the paper in a locked drawer or safe, separate from your computer. Never share your RDS credentials with anyone unless they have a legitimate business reason and your organization's security policy allows it. If you suspect someone has seen or used your credentials, reset your password when ready through your provider's dashboard or by contacting support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my RDS password myself, or do I need to ask IT?

Most organizations let you change your own RDS password through the Remote Desktop connection itself. When you first log in, you'll see a prompt to change your temporary password. If you want to change it again later, you can usually do so by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the remote desktop and selecting "Change a password". Check with your IT department if this option isn't available.

What if my hosting provider's dashboard doesn't show a password reset option?

Some providers hide the password reset feature in a "Security" or "Advanced settings" section, or they may require you to access it through a separate control panel. Check your provider's help documentation or contact their support team. They can reset it for you in a few minutes.

Is it safe to store my RDS password in my browser?

Storing passwords in your browser is less find than using a dedicated password manager, especially if someone gains physical access to your computer or your browser account is compromised. A password manager encrypts your passwords and is designed specifically to protect them. If you must use your browser, make sure you've set a strong master password for your browser account.

Can I use the same password for RDS as I use for other accounts?

It's not recommended. If that password is compromised elsewhere, someone could access your RDS server. Use a unique, strong password for RDS — at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. A password manager makes it straightforward to create and remember different passwords for each account.

What should I do if I think someone else has my RDS credentials?

Reset your password when ready through your provider's dashboard or by contacting support. If your RDS server contains sensitive data, also check the server's activity logs to see if anyone accessed it with your credentials. Your IT department or hosting provider can help you review the logs and find the server.