Windows - Category

Share local drives in RDP

junxian — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:59:19 +0000

This guide shows exactly how to share local drives and optional devices (USB drives, clipboard, printers, smart cards) with a Windows VPS via Remote Desktop.

Windows Remote Desktop Connection — share local drives

Open Remote Desktop Connection: Win → type mstsc → Enter.
Click Show Options → Local Resources.
Under Local devices and resources, click More….
Expand Drives and check the drive letters you want to share (e.g., C: or USB drives).
Connect. In the VPS File Explorer, the drives appear as, for example, C on YOUR-PC-NAME.

Optional devices you can redirect

USB drives / external disks: appear under Drives if selected (Windows client). For full USB device redirection, you may need third-party USB redirection if the device isn't handled as a storage volume.
Printers: appear as local printers in the VPS when enabled.
Clipboard: enables copy/paste text and files (if allowed by policy).
Smart cards & serial ports: available from the same Local devices dialog if supported by the client and server.

Save these settings for repeat connections

In Remote Desktop Connection → General → Save As… to store an .rdp file with redirection enabled.
Double-click the saved .rdp to reconnect with the same device/page redirection automatically.

Server-side policy (if drives don’t show)

If redirected drives don’t appear, confirm the VPS allows drive redirection:

Open the Local Group Policy editor on the VPS. (press Win + R → type gpedit.msc → press Enter).
Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services → Remote Desktop Session Host → Device and Resource Redirection.
Ensure "Do not allow drive redirection" is Disabled (or Not Configured).

Quick troubleshooting

Drives don’t appear: reconnect after enabling drives; check gpedit.msc (above) or verify if you selected the correct drive letters.
USB device not visible: Windows treats some USBs as devices, not volumes — consider copying files to a local folder first, or use a USB redirection tool.
File copy fails/slow: check network speed and ensure large transfers are tolerated by your network/bandwidth plan.

Security and best practices

Only enable the drives or devices you need — avoid exposing entire local disks on shared or untrusted servers.
Prefer copying specific files into a temporary folder and then transferring, rather than exposing the entire C: drive.
Keep your client machine secure — redirected drives are only as safe as the local PC.

For more Evoxt VPS guides, visit Evoxt Tutorials. If you need help, open a support ticket.

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How to Adjust ClearType in Remote Desktop (RDP)

junxian — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:06:36 +0000

If your Remote Desktop (RDP) connection to a Windows VPS looks blurry or the text isn’t sharp, you can fix it easily by adjusting ClearType. This feature makes fonts smoother and easier to read on screens. This guide will show you how to adjust ClearType inside your Evoxt Windows VPS for the best visual clarity.

Adjust ClearType Settings Inside the VPS

This is the main step to make text on your Remote Desktop session look clear and sharp.

After connecting to your Windows VPS, press Win + S and search for ClearType.
Click on Adjust ClearType text.
Ensure Turn on ClearType is checked, then click Next.
Follow the on-screen steps to select the text that looks best to you.
Click Finish to apply your chosen ClearType settings.

This fine-tunes how Windows renders text, resulting in smoother and easier-to-read fonts when using RDP.

Optional: Enable Font Smoothing in RDP Client

Before connecting to your Evoxt Windows VPS:

Open Remote Desktop Connection (press Win + R → type mstsc → press Enter).
Click on Show Options.
Go to the Experience tab.
Ensure the following options are checked:
- Font smoothing (this enables ClearType)
- Desktop composition (optional, improves visuals)
Under “Connection speed”, choose LAN (10 Mbps or higher) for best quality.
Click Connect to log in.

Conclusion

By adjusting ClearType settings inside your VPS, you can make fonts appear crisp and readable in Remote Desktop sessions. For additional improvement, enable font smoothing in your RDP client before connecting. These small changes can greatly enhance your experience when working on your Evoxt Windows VPS.

For more Evoxt VPS guides, visit Evoxt Tutorials. If you need help, open a support ticket.

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How to Change Windows RDP Port Securely

jinyao — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 03:30:19 +0000

Changing the default Windows RDP port on your Evoxt VPS is an effective way to improve server security and reduce brute-force attack attempts. By default, Remote Desktop Protocol uses port3389, which is frequently scanned by attackers. This guide will show you how to change the Windows RDP port on Evoxt VPS step by step, ensuring better protection and more control over your firewall rules.

Why Change the Default RDP Port on Evoxt VPS?

Enhanced Security: Reduce automated brute-force login attempts targeting port 3389.
Bypass ISP or Firewall Restrictions: Helpful if port 3389 is blocked.
Custom Access Rules: Set precise firewall permissions for your chosen port.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp

Step 2: Modify the Port Number

Find PortNumber and double-click it.
Select Decimal.
Enter your desired port (e.g., 3390).
Click OK.

Step 3: Allow the New Port in Windows Firewall

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run (replace 3390 with your chosen port):

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="RDP Custom Port" protocol=TCP dir=in localport=3390 action=allow

Step 4: Restart Remote Desktop Services

Reboot your VPS to apply the changes.

Step 5: Connect Using the New Port

When connecting via RDP, use the format:

IP:PORT

Example:

123.123.123.123:3390

Quick Command Summary

regedit

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="RDP Custom Port" protocol=TCP dir=in localport=3390 action=allow

By following this guide, you can change the Windows RDP port on your Evoxt VPS to increase security, reduce attack exposure, and maintain reliable remote connectivity. If you use Linux, see our How to Change SSH Port in Linux tutorial for similar steps. Need a reliable VPS? Deploy an Evoxt VM here or contact Evoxt support for assistance.

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How to Change DNS in Windows

junxian — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:09 +0000

Changing DNS in Windows can enhance internet speed, security, and reliability. This guide will show you how to change DNS settings in Windows step by step.

Step 1: Open Network Settings to Change DNS in Windows

Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.

Step 2: Open Connection Properties

Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

Step 3: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)

In the list of items, find and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.

Step 4: Enter Custom DNS Servers

Select Use the following DNS server addresses, and enter one of the following:

Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Step 5: Save Changes

Click OK, then Close to apply the new settings.

By following these steps, you can optimize your DNS settings for better performance and security. If you're using Linux, follow our guide on How to Change DN S Settings in Linux to update your DNS configuration. Need a reliable VPS? Deploy an Evoxt VM here or contact Evoxt support for assistance.

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Diagnose Network Issues Using MTR and Traceroute

junxian — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:11:44 +0000

Experiencing slow network performance or connectivity issues between your Evoxt VPS and local device? This guide explains how to use MTR and Traceroute to diagnose packet loss, latency, and network bottlenecks. Follow these step-by-step instructions to analyze network routes, detect congestion, and improve connectivity between your VM and local device.

Using Traceroute for Network Diagnosis

Traceroute is a tool that maps the path your packets take to reach the destination. It displays each "hop" (router) along the path and provides latency information for each hop.

Traceroute on Windows

Open Command Prompt (Press Win + R, type cmd, then press Enter).
Run the command:
```
tracert [IP]
```

Traceroute on Linux

If traceroute is not installed, install it using:
Ubuntu/Debian:
```
sudo apt install traceroute
```
CentOS/Rocky:
```
sudo yum install traceroute
```
Run the command:
```
traceroute [IP]
```

How to Read Traceroute Output

Each hop represents a router between your Windows PC and your VM.oi
Large jumps in response time (ms) indicate network congestion.
If you see * * * → The hop did not respond (it may be blocking ICMP packets).

Using MTR for Network Diagnosis on Evoxt VPS

WinMTR on Windows

Since MTR is not built into Windows, you need to install WinMTR:

Download WinMTR.
Extract the ZIP file.
Open WinMTR.exe (for 32-bit) or WinMTR64.exe (for 64-bit).
Enter the IP address in the "Host" field and click Start to begin tracing.

MTR on Linux

If MTR is not installed on your Linux system, install it using the following command:
Ubuntu/Debian:
```
sudo apt install mtr
```
CentOS/Rocky:
```
sudo yum install mtr
```
Once installed, run MTR with the command below to test connectivity to your VPS:
```
mtr [IP]
```

Understanding WinMTR Output

Loss% → Packet loss at each hop. High loss suggests network issues.
Snt → Number of packets sent.
Last → Time (ms) for the last packet to reach that hop.
Avg → Average latency over time.
Best/Worst → Minimum and maximum latency recorded.
StDev → Latency fluctuation over multiple tests.

Common Traceroute and MTR Issues

Why is the First Hop "Request Timed Out"?

Your router or ISP might block ICMP requests for security reasons.
This does not affect normal internet traffic, only diagnostic tools.

Why is the Last Hop Not My Target IP?

Load balancers or CDNs may route traffic through different IPs.
Some servers block ICMP requests, causing them to not appear in results.
Asymmetric routing may cause different paths for incoming and outgoing traffic.

Why Do I See Packet Loss in the Middle of the Route?

If intermediate hops show packet loss but the final destination does not, it may be ICMP rate limiting, not an actual issue.
If loss continues to the last hop, there is a genuine problem with the network.

Using WinMTR and Traceroute helps identify network problems such as packet loss, high latency, and routing issues between your local device and Evoxt VPS. If you notice persistent packet loss or unusual latency, contact Evoxt support for further troubleshooting.

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How to increase swap memory on a Windows machine

Evoxt — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:52:11 +0000

Google Chrome ran out of memory? "Google Chrome ran out of memory while trying to display this web page", or your server ran out of memory while trying to run a task?

If upgrading your VM plan is not an option, try increasing the swap space of your server.

To increase your Windows server's Swap memory,

Option 1

Go to > Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced

Click on Advanced system settings

Option 2

Alternatively, you can go to windows search > Run and type in SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe and click ok.

Setting the swap space

On the performance tab, click settings

On the Settings tab. Click on Advanced.

Then, on the Advanced tab, click change to set a fixed amount of swap memory manually.

Key in a swap size that you need, and click Set and Ok

You will be prompted to do a restart

Proceed to restart your Windows VM and your Swap memory will be increased.

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Prioritize IPv4 over IPv6 on a Windows server

Evoxt — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 19:40:14 +0000

With the new Evoxt implementation, where all new VM deployments will be assigned an IPv6 address, we have received reports from customers due to websites and servers not supporting IPv6 and causing problems.

All Windows servers will prefer IPv6 over IPv4 if IPv6 is enabled. Disabling IPv6, which is the new internet protocol, will cause your server to be not future-proof. So this guide will help you configure your Windows server network connection to prefer IPv4 over IPv6.

Change IPv4 priority on Microsoft's Network Shell

To do that, you will need to do so from CMD

1) Head to CMD, Windows Search > CMD. Alternatively, you can access it through WIN + R, then type in cmd.exe and press ok.

2) On CMD, copy these lines and paste them into CMD. This will move the priority of the IPv4 mapped address to the top, making Windows use IPv4 as the default internet protocol. ::ffff:0:0/96 is an IPv4 mapped address range, equivalent to IPv4. Created to aid in IPv4 to IPv6 transition.

netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy ::ffff:0:0/96 50 4
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy ::1/128 40 0
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy ::/0 30 1
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy 2002::/16 20 2
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy 2001::/32 5 5
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy fc00::/7 3 13
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy fec0::/10 1 11
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy 3ffe::/16 1 12
netsh interface ipv6 set prefixpolicy ::/96 1 3

Now try to ping google again. Ping should default to IPv4.

Bonus:
To change IPv6 back to the default internet protocol used, use the command below and do a restart.

netsh interface ipv6 reset

Change IPv4 preference through Registry

1) Head to Registry, Windows Search > Regedit. Alternatively, you can access it through WIN + R, then type in regedit.exe and press ok.

2) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Tcpip6 > Parameters (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\)

3) On the folder, right-click and create a Dword (32-bit).

4) Then, rename the entry to DisabledComponents

5) Right-click on the entry and click on modify

6) Enter 0x20 in the value data field as shown in the screenshots below, then click Ok

7) Once this is done, do a server restart.

Now try to ping google again. Ping should default to IPv4.

Bonus:
To change IPv6 back to the default internet protocol used, delete the entry (DisabledComponents) and do a server restart.

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/configure-ipv6-in-windows

If these are too complicated, you can also choose to just disable IPv6 networking entirely. However, this will disable the dual stack status and cause your server to be not future-proof. Take a look at this guide here

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Windows Server showing incorrect disk size after configuring partition

Evoxt — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 22:49:05 +0000

Windows File system size is not showing correctly after configuring the Windows partition.

Prerequisites

You will need CMD for this entire fix. Get yourself comfortable with using the command line.

To get started,

1) Head to CMD, Windows Search > CMD. Alternatively, you can access it through WIN + R then type in cmd.exe and press ok.

CHKDSK command to repair drive

1) On CMD, type in chkdsk /F and press enter

2) Key in Y and enter if you are prompted with a message requiring a drive repair or system reboot.

If this method does not fix your issue, try the next method.

DiskPart

1) Type in diskpart in cmd to go into diskpart

diskpart

2) Use the command below list volume to list all available volume

list volume

3) Select the volume that the partition size is displaying incorrectly, use command select and in this case Volume 0, so the command, in this case, will be select Volume 0

select

4) Extend filesystem, use the command extend filesystem

extend filesystem

Your file explorer's size should show correctly now.

If you are worried and not comfortable with command lines, please file a ticket and our support team will be happy to help you with this. Please do not forget to include your server's IP and password in the ticket for faster ticket processing. Deploy a Cloud Virtual Machine with Evoxt now !
Deploy

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Disable IPv6 on Windows Server

Evoxt — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 22:25:38 +0000

With the new Evoxt implementation, where all new VM deployments will be assigned an IPv6 address, we have received reports from customers due to websites and servers not supporting IPv6 and causing problems. Here is how to Disable IPv6 on a Windows Server

If you are facing issues with IPv6 enabled and want to disable IPv6 on your Windows Servers, this is how to do it.

To check if you have an IPv6 address set up, head to the command prompt and type ipconfig to check all the assigned IP addresses.
As you can see on the screenshot, IPv6 is indeed assigned, and we want to remove that.

Step 1:
Head to Control Panel by searching Control Panel on the search bar. Alternatively, this can be done by going to run ( WIN + R ), type control.exe and press enter.

Step 2:
Head to the Network and Sharing center to make network changes

Step 3:
We needed to disable IPv6 networking on the main interface. To do that, go to change adapter settings on Network and Sharing Center

Step 4:
Right-click on the adapter, and click on Properties to make changes to the network interface

Step 5:
Untick Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) to disable IPv6 Networking and click Ok to save the configuration.

To check if IPv6 is disabled, head to the command prompt and type in ipconfig again. All IPv6 addresses should be now gone.
If IPv6 address is still showing, do a restart.

Ping ipv6.google.com to check your server's IPv6 connection. If you have this disabled, the ping will not be successful.

C:\Users\Administrator>ping ipv6.google.com -6
Ping request could not find host ipv6.google.com. Please check the name and try again.

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/configure-ipv6-in-windows

Alternatively, you can set your Windows server to prefer IPv4 networking by default. With this you do not need to disable IPv6, maintaining a dual-stack protocol. This is the preferred method.

Please take a look at this guide here

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Enable audio in Windows Server

Evoxt — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:47:30 +0000

If you are not getting any audio on your server, try to connect through Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection.

If you require more help on how to use Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection, we have a guide here

Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection supports remote audio.

If you are still not getting any audio after connecting with Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection,

Go to the bottom right of your screen, right-click on the audio icon and click Sounds.

You will be prompted with an option to enable remote audio in your server, click Yes to enable audio in your Windows server.

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