> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://flashrdp.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# First steps on your Windows RDP

> What to do after your first sign-in: change the password, install updates, check the Windows license, add users, set the time zone and secure RDP.

After your first sign-in, change the `Administrator` password, install Windows updates and check how many days are left on the Windows Server evaluation license. Then add any other users, set your time zone and language, secure the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port and turn on backups.

## Sign in as Administrator

Connect with the IP address, the username `Administrator` and the password from your welcome email. See [Connect to your Windows RDP](/docs/windows-rdp/connect) for each device, and [Find your server credentials](/docs/control-panel/find-credentials) if you don't have them.

## Change the Administrator password

You have two ways to set a new password:

* **Inside Windows:** you choose the password yourself. In a Remote Desktop session, press **Ctrl+Alt+End** and click **Change a password**. Or open Command Prompt as administrator and run `net user Administrator *`, then type the new password twice.
* **Reset password in the Billing Portal:** the portal picks a new password and shows it on screen. No email is sent, and the server must be running. See [Reset server password](/docs/control-panel/reset-server-password).

<Note>
  **Show** in the Billing Portal only knows passwords set with **Reset password**. After you change the password inside Windows, the one shown there no longer works.
</Note>

## Install Windows updates

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Windows Update">
    Open **Settings** and click **Windows Update**. On Windows Server 2019 and 2022, it is under **Update & Security**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the updates">
    Click **Check for updates** and install everything offered. The first round on a new server can take a while.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart">
    Restart when Windows asks. Your Remote Desktop session ends; reconnect after a minute or two. Check for updates again until none are left.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Check your Windows license

Windows Server is installed with Microsoft's 180-day evaluation license. FlashRDP doesn't sell Windows licenses. To keep using Windows Server after the evaluation, activate your own license.

### See how many days are left

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

```cmd theme={null}
slmgr.vbs /dlv
```

An evaluation shows `EVAL` in the output, together with the time remaining. While Windows isn't activated, the bottom-right corner of the desktop also shows the days left.

<Warning>
  Activate before the evaluation ends. For Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, Microsoft documents that an expired evaluation shows a **Windows License is expired** warning and shuts down every hour. Microsoft doesn't describe the behavior of later versions, so don't count on it being different.
</Warning>

### Convert the evaluation with your own product key

Microsoft's procedure converts an evaluation edition to a retail edition with `DISM`. You need a retail product key for the edition you convert to.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check the current edition">
    Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

    ```cmd theme={null}
    DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition
    ```

    An evaluation edition name ends in `Eval`, for example `ServerStandardEval`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="List the editions you can convert to">
    ```cmd theme={null}
    DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
    ```

    Note the edition name you want, for example `ServerStandard`. If the edition you want isn't listed, it can't be converted in place; you need a fresh install of that edition.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and read the license terms">
    ```cmd theme={null}
    DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /GetEula:C:\license.rtf
    ```

    Open `C:\license.rtf` and read the Microsoft Software License Terms.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Convert the edition">
    Replace the edition name and `XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX` with your own values:

    ```cmd theme={null}
    DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
    ```

    Restart the server if Windows asks you to, then check the result with `slmgr.vbs /dlv`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

To use a volume license key instead, Microsoft says to convert to the retail edition first, then install your key with `slmgr.vbs /ipk <product key>`. Full details are on Microsoft Learn: [Convert Windows Server editions and license types](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-conversion-options).

## Add users for Remote Desktop

Give each person their own account instead of sharing `Administrator`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Computer Management">
    Press **Windows key + R**, type `compmgmt.msc` and press **Enter**. Go to **Local Users and Groups** > **Users**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the user">
    Right-click in the empty space, select **New User**, enter a name and a strong password, and click **Create**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow Remote Desktop sign-in">
    Right-click the new user, select **Properties** > **Member Of** > **Add**, type `Remote Desktop Users` and click **OK**. Add `Administrators` too only if this person needs full control of the server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Windows Server allows two simultaneous Remote Desktop connections for administration. For more users at the same time, you need the Remote Desktop Session Host role and a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) client access license (CAL) for each user or device, which you buy from Microsoft or a reseller. See [Remote Desktop Services CALs](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license) on Microsoft Learn.
</Info>

## Set the time zone and language

* **Time zone:** open **Settings** > **Time & language** > **Date & time** and choose your time zone. In PowerShell, run `Get-TimeZone -ListAvailable` to find the ID, then for example `Set-TimeZone -Id "W. Europe Standard Time"`.
* **Language:** open **Settings** > **Time & language** > **Language** (**Language & region** on Windows Server 2025), click **Add a language** and follow the prompts. Sign out and back in to switch the display language.

## Secure Remote Desktop

Bots try to guess passwords on port `3389` around the clock. Follow [Secure your Windows RDP](/docs/security/rdp-security) to change the port, sign in with your own admin account, turn on account lockout and limit RDP to your IP address.

## Turn on backups

Backups run daily off-site and are included on quarterly, semi-annual and annual billing. Monthly plans need the Backups add-on. See [Backups](/docs/control-panel/backups) to turn them on and restore your server.

## Related Articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card horizontal title="Connect to your Windows RDP" icon="plug" href="/docs/windows-rdp/connect" />

  <Card horizontal title="Secure your Windows RDP" icon="shield-half" href="/docs/security/rdp-security" />

  <Card horizontal title="Reset server password" icon="key-round" href="/docs/control-panel/reset-server-password" />

  <Card horizontal title="Backups" icon="archive" href="/docs/control-panel/backups" />
</CardGroup>


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