---
title: "Adding Remote Desktop Users"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/adding-remote-desktop-users/"
description: "Need to give another user RDP access to your Windows server? Our guide walks you through creating a user and adding them to the Remote Desktop Users group."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-27"
---

# Adding Remote Desktop Users

Managing your [Windows server](https://www.liquidweb.com/windows-server-hosting/) 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](https://www.liquidweb.com/vps-hosting/rdp/)), 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.

![computer managment highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_lBguc1.png)

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**.

![new user location](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_xvC5AP.png)

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

![new user dialog box](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_yRBby3.png)

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

![remote desktop users highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_5VDsWq.png)

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

![add button highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_VLAeJJ.png)

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**.

![enter user name dialog](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_r0q2EY.png)

| ### NOTE: |
|---|
| If your server is part of the Liquid Web customer Active Directory Domain (the most common setting), you’ll need to modify these directions. 1. When you first click **Add**, a dialogue box will appear asking for credentials. Click **Cancel**.  ![domain credentials dialog box](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_sVZK7i.png)  2. Click Locations on the right side of the Select Users dialog box.  ![locations button highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_3qvO7A.png)  3. Another dialogue will appear asking for credentials. Click **Cancel**. Continue clicking **Cancel** until the **Locations** dialog box appears.  ![locations dialogue box](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_oaw0tH.png)  4. Select your server name from the top of the list (this may be just a series of numbers and letters, but it will have the computer icon beside it). 5. You can now complete step 7 from above. |