Adding Remote Desktop Users

Managing your Windows server using Remote Desktop Protocol allows you to take direct control of the server and make changes or use applications as if the server were sitting right on the desk in your office. Occasionally, you may need to provide access for additional users to log in to the server using RDP (trusted employees, developers, etc.). While providing RDP access can present a security risk, giving a trusted user direct access to the server is sometimes necessary.

To give a user Remote Desktop privileges on a Windows server (such as an RDP VPS), you’ll need to first create the user (if the account doesn’t already exist), then add the user to the Remote Desktop Group).

1. Click on the Start Menu (bottom left corner) and choose Administrative Tools (or type Administrative Tools into the search bar).
2. Double-Click on Computer Management.

3. Expand Local Users and Groups by clicking on the arrow to the left of the entry. Next, Right Click on Users and Select New User.

4. Enter all of the requested information into the New User dialog window, then click Create to create the user.

5. Under Local Users and Groups, select Groups, then Double Click Remote Desktop Users.

6. Click Add. (If a dialogue box appears asking for user credentials, see NOTE below).

7. Enter the user name of the user you wish to grant RDP access. Click Check Names and the user name should update to the format servernameusername. Click OK.