How to access Windows through the console and RDP?

This guide will show how to create an instance and then access Windows using the OpenStack console and RDP from scratch.

a. To create an instance and set a Windows password, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Login with your User Name and Password.

Step 2: Click Instances under Compute from the left-navigation menu.

Step 3: Click on Launch Instance. 

Step 4: Enter the instance details and hit Next.

Step 5: Scroll down and search for Windows and choose Windows Server 2019 image. 

Step 6: Volume size will be automatically filled based on the image selected. Choose Yes if you want to delete the volume on instance deletion or else select No and hit Next. 

Step 7: Choose your Windows instance flavour whose name starts with W, and click Next. If your flavour is unavailable, kindly create a ticket with your specifications. 

Step 8: Choose a network of your own choice. 

Step 9: Select the Security Groups from the left navigation menu, choose the default security group and click Next. 

Step 10: Choose a key-pair or create a key-pair and click Next.

Step 11: Click on Launch Instance.

Step 12: Now, Go to the Networking tab and click on Security Group, then click on (default security group) manage rules, then click on Add Rule. Now add the RDP rule like this, and then just click Add.

Step 13: If you have chosen a private network in Step 8, assign a Floating IP to your instance. Click here to learn how to assign a Floating IP.

Step 14: Click on the instance name.

Step 15: Click on the Console tab. 

Step 16: Select basic details to set up Windows and click Next. 

Step 17: Click Accept to agree to the license terms. 

Step 18: Set your Password, re-enter the password, and click Finish. 

b. To access windows through the console, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Click Send CtrlAltDel on the top-right corner. 

Step 2: Enter the set password and click on the arrow button. 

Step 3: Select Yes for your network setting.  

Step 4: Your window activation will start. 

Note: Please do not close the terminal. 

c. To access windows through the RDP, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Copy the IP address of your instance. 

Step 2: Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on your system.

Step 3: Click on Show Options. 

Step 4: In the computer dialogue box, type the IP address, enter Administrator as the username, and click Connect. 

Step 5: Enter your password and click OK. 

Step 6: Click Yes to continue and access your Windows.