How do I connect to a Windows RDP from Linux?

How do I connect with FreeRDP from a terminal?

Install the X11 client of FreeRDP 3 and give it the address and the user. /v: takes the server and an optional :port, /u: the user name. Leave out /p:: FreeRDP then asks Password: and your password stays out of your shell history.

# Install the FreeRDP 3 X11 client
sudo apt install freerdp3-x11

# Connect: FreeRDP asks for the password, then about the certificate
xfreerdp3 /v:YOUR_SERVER_IP /u:Administrator

# Clipboard, a window that resizes the desktop, and a local folder as a drive
mkdir -p ~/Transfer
xfreerdp3 /v:YOUR_SERVER_IP /u:Administrator +clipboard +dynamic-resolution /drive:transfer,$HOME/Transfer

# Full screen (Ctrl+Alt+Enter toggles it)
xfreerdp3 /v:YOUR_SERVER_IP /u:Administrator /f

# The .rdp file from the dashboard works too
xfreerdp3 desk-1.rdp

What does FreeRDP's certificate prompt mean?

On the first connection, FreeRDP prints the server's certificate and asks Do you trust the above certificate? (Y/T/N). Y trusts it from now on, T trusts it for this connection only, and N refuses. A new Windows Server uses a self-signed certificate, so the question is expected.

For scripts, /cert:tofu accepts the certificate on the first connection and refuses a different one later. Avoid /cert:ignore: it turns every certificate check off. FreeRDP 3's /cert:tofu is the safe way to run Remote Desktop unattended: trust once, then refuse any change.

Which is better, Remmina or FreeRDP?

Neither: they suit different habits. Remmina keeps saved profiles in a window, which suits several servers. FreeRDP is one command, which suits scripts and keyboard users.

On Debian 13, Remmina's RDP plugin is built on the FreeRDP 3 library, so both speak the same Remote Desktop protocol to Windows Server. Pick Remmina for comfort and xfreerdp3 for control over every option.

Why can't I connect from Linux?

Most failures come from one of five causes.

• The server is not ready yet. A person creates your server once your payment is confirmed, and it is online within minutes of that confirmation, with one hour as the ceiling; your dashboard shows the status, then the IP address and the Administrator password once the server is running.
• A reinstall is under way. The old password stops working, and a new one appears on the card once it is done.
• The password has a typo. Paste it from the dashboard card.
• Remmina has no RDP in its protocol list. Install remmina-plugin-rdp.
• xfreerdp runs FreeRDP 2. On Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 12, install freerdp3-x11 and type xfreerdp3.

The Windows, Mac and phone guides start from how to connect to a Windows RDP from Windows.

How do I get a Windows server to reach from Linux?

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