SkyRig

Connecting to Your Cloud PC

Last updated: October 21, 2025

Overview

Once your Cloud PC is created and running (we go into detail here), you'll need to connect to it to start using it. This guide walks you through the entire connection process, from getting your credentials to establishing your first remote desktop session.

Before you start: Make sure your instance is in a running state. You can check this from your dashboard.

Step 1: Get Your Connection Details

First, you need to gather your connection credentials from the SkyRig dashboard.

Finding Your IP Address

  1. Go to your dashboard
  2. Click on your Cloud PC instance to open the details page
  3. Look for the IP Address field - this is what you'll use to connect
  4. You may see multiple IP addresses:
    • RDP IP: Use this for Remote Desktop Protocol connections
    • Public IP: The main IP address of your instance

Tip: Click the icon next to the IP address to copy it to your clipboard.

Getting Your Password

The process differs depending on which GPU tier you're using:

Datacentre GPUs (Oregon)

  1. On your instance details page, find the "Windows Administrator password" section
  2. Click the "Show Administrator Password" button
  3. Wait a moment while we decrypt your password
  4. Your password will appear in a text field - click "Copy" to copy it

Password not ready? Datacentre instances can take 5-15 minutes after first boot for the password to become available. If you see "Password not ready yet", wait a few minutes and try again.

Your username is: Administrator

RTX GPUs

You set your own password during instance creation. Use the password you entered when creating the instance.

Your username is: User

Forgot your password? Unfortunately, passwords cannot be reset for RTX instances. You'll need to delete and recreate your instance. Make sure to save any important data first.

Step 2: Choose Your Connection Method

SkyRig supports multiple ways to connect to your Cloud PC. We'll start with RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) as it's the most straightforward for initial setup.

RDP

Built-in, easy setup, works everywhere

Required for first connection

Parsec

Best for gaming, lowest latency

Install after RDP setup

Steam

Great for Steam library

Pre-installed on Datacentre

Step 3: Connect via RDP

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is built into Windows and available for Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. It's the easiest way to make your first connection.

On Windows

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
  2. Type mstsc and press Enter
  3. In the "Computer" field, paste your Cloud PC's IP address
  4. Click "Connect"
  5. When prompted for credentials:
    • Username: Administrator (Datacentre) or User (RTX)
    • Password: Paste the password you copied from the dashboard
  6. If you see a certificate warning, click "Yes" to continue
  7. You should now be connected to your Cloud PC!

Pro tip: Check "Remember my credentials" to save your password for future connections.

On Mac

  1. Download "Windows App" from the Mac App Store (it's free)
  2. Open the app and click the "+" button
  3. Select "Add PC"
  4. In "PC name", paste your Cloud PC's IP address
  5. Under "Credentials", click "Add Credentials":
    • Username: Administrator (Datacentre) or User (RTX)
    • Password: Paste or enter your password
  6. Click "Add" to save
  7. Double-click your saved PC to connect
  8. If you see a certificate warning, click "Continue"

On iOS/iPad

  1. Download "Windows app" from the App Store
  2. Tap the "+" button in the top right
  3. Select "Add PC"
  4. Enter your Cloud PC's IP address in "PC name"
  5. Tap "Credentials" and select "Add Credentials"
  6. Enter your username and password
  7. Tap "Save"
  8. Tap your saved PC to connect

Note: For the best mobile experience, use landscape mode and consider connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

On Android

  1. Download "Windows app" from the Google Play Store
  2. Tap the "+" button
  3. Select "Desktop"
  4. Enter your Cloud PC's IP address in "PC name"
  5. Under "Credentials", tap "Add Credentials"
  6. Enter your username and password
  7. Tap "Save"
  8. Tap your saved desktop to connect

On Linux

Linux users can use Remmina (pre-installed on many distributions) or other RDP clients:

  1. Open Remmina (or install it: sudo apt install remmina)
  2. Click the "+" button to create a new connection
  3. Set Protocol to "RDP"
  4. Enter your Cloud PC's IP address in "Server"
  5. Enter your username and password
  6. Click "Save and Connect"

Step 4: First Time Setup

Once you're connected via RDP for the first time, here are some recommended initial setup steps:

Verify Your Connection

Make sure you can see the Windows desktop and interact with it smoothly. Try opening the Start menu and a few applications.

Check Your Display Settings

Right-click the desktop → Display settings. Adjust resolution if needed. Most users prefer 1920x1080 for a good balance of quality and performance.

Install Parsec (Recommended)

For the best gaming experience, install Parsec while connected via RDP:

  1. Open a web browser on your Cloud PC
  2. Go to parsec.app/downloads
  3. Download and install Parsec
  4. Sign in or create a Parsec account
  5. Install Parsec on your local device too
  6. You can now connect via Parsec for lower latency gaming

Install Your Games and Software

Steam is pre-installed on Datacentre instances. For RTX instances or other platforms, download and install Steam, Epic Games Store, or any other software you need. You have full administrator access.

Configure Windows Updates (Optional)

To prevent interruptions during gaming, you may want to pause Windows updates. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Pause updates.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

Can't Connect / Connection Refused

  • Verify your instance is running (check dashboard)
  • Make sure you're using the correct IP address (use the RDP IP if available)
  • Check that you're not behind a restrictive firewall that blocks RDP (port 3389)
  • Try restarting your instance from the dashboard
  • Wait 1-2 minutes after starting the instance before connecting

Invalid Credentials / Login Failed

  • Double-check your username: Administrator (Datacentre) or User (RTX)
  • Make sure you copied the entire password without extra spaces
  • For Datacentre instances, try clicking "Show Administrator Password" again to get a fresh copy
  • Passwords are case-sensitive - ensure caps lock is off

Connection is Slow or Laggy

  • RDP is not optimized for gaming - install Parsec for better performance
  • Check your local internet connection speed
  • Try lowering the display resolution in RDP settings
  • Close bandwidth-heavy applications on your local device
  • Consider connecting to a closer geographic region if available

Certificate Warning / Security Alert

This is normal and expected. Cloud PCs use self-signed certificates. Click "Yes" or "Continue" to proceed with the connection. Your connection is still encrypted and secure.

Black Screen After Connecting

  • Wait 30-60 seconds - Windows may still be loading
  • Try pressing Ctrl + Alt + End to open Task Manager
  • Disconnect and reconnect
  • If the issue persists, restart your instance from the dashboard

Next Steps

Now that you're connected to your Cloud PC:

  • Install Parsec for the best gaming experience with lower latency
  • Download your favorite games from Steam, Epic Games Store, or other platforms
  • Customize your Windows settings and desktop to your preferences
  • Install any additional software you need - you have full administrator access
  • Remember to stop your instance when you're done to save on costs

Still Having Issues?

If you're still unable to connect after trying these steps, our support team is here to help. Contact us at support@skyrig.cloud or use the AI assistant in your dashboard.