Configuring a new Windows Server installation

Last updated 16th February 2021

Objective

After a fresh installation of a Windows Server operating system on a VPS, remote access and the ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) response can sometimes be disabled.

This guide explains how to set up Windows in order to re-enable ICMP and allow connections via Remote Desktop Protocol.

Requirements

• a Windows VPS in your OVHcloud account
• access to the OVHcloud Control Panel

Instructions

Step 1: Log in with KVM

To access the KVM console of your VPS, please follow the VPS KVM guide.

Step 2: Finish the Windows setup

When the KVM session is established, the initial setup screens will be displayed. Here you need to configure your country/region, the Windows language, and your keyboard layout. Once you have done this, click Next.

In the second screen, enter a password for your Administrator account and confirm it, then click Finish.

Windows will apply your settings and then display the Login screen. Click the Send CtrlAltDel button in the top right corner to sign in.

Enter the password you have previously created for your Administrator account and click on the Arrow button.

This completes the initial setup. Once logged in, you need to change the appropriate Windows Firewall settings.

Step 3: Modify Windows Firewall

Open the Administrative Tools of the System and Security control panel and double-click on Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Here you can enable the respective ICMP and Remote Desktop rules (right-click on the rule and select Enable rule in the context menu).

Your server should now be responding to requests using these protocols.

Go further

Join our community of users on https://community.ovh.com/en/.

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