How Do I Get a Free RDP for 1 Year?

 

Are you looking to get Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) access for free over a longer period, such as an entire year? Many platforms offer RDP solutions, and some even provide them at no cost with trial plans or by leveraging certain cloud providers’ free tiers. 

Let’s walk through the best options for obtaining a free RDP solution for a year, covering the platforms, the setup process, and any tips to maximize your RDP experience.

What is RDP and Why Do You Need It?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows you to connect to a remote computer and access its resources, files, and software, as though you were using it locally. It’s a highly useful tool for:

  • Remote Work: Access office systems securely from anywhere.
  • Running Applications: Utilize software on powerful machines remotely.
  • Managing Servers: Maintain and control your server environment.

Whether you’re a developer, IT admin, or remote worker, RDP can be an invaluable tool. Now, let’s look at ways to get RDP access free for a whole year.

Top Providers for Free RDP for One Year

1. Microsoft Azure Free Tier

Microsoft Azure offers an attractive free tier with RDP access that you can use for up to 12 months. Azure provides a free virtual machine (VM) with Windows Server OS for new users, making it an ideal choice for RDP access. Here’s how it works:

  • Free VM Type: B1S VM (good for low to medium workloads).
  • Usage: 750 hours per month.
  • Storage: 64 GB SSD.

Getting Started with Azure Free Tier:

  1. Sign up on Azure: Create a Microsoft account if you don’t already have one.
  2. Start a Free Trial: Choose the free account option. Azure gives you $200 in credit for the first 30 days.
  3. Deploy the VM: Select a Windows Server VM under the free services. This comes with RDP access, allowing you to connect to your virtual machine remotely.

Note: After one year, you’ll need to either upgrade or pay for continued usage of the VM.

2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Free Tier

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) also provides free RDP options via its always-free tier. Though the GCP’s free VM doesn’t run Windows OS by default, you can configure it for RDP access.

  • Free VM Type: e2-micro instance.
  • Usage: Always free, within usage limits.
  • Operating System: Add a Windows license if needed (may incur cost).

Getting Started with GCP Free Tier:

  1. Sign up for a Google Cloud account and start the free trial.
  2. Create a VM instance: Under the Compute Engine, select e2-micro. This instance is eligible for free usage.
  3. Install RDP: You’ll need to configure Windows OS, which might require a license, or use a third-party RDP setup if on Linux.

3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Free Tier

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is another popular choice for RDP, offering 12 months of free usage for new users. AWS allows you to set up Windows instances on its EC2 service, which supports RDP.

  • Free VM Type: t2.micro or t3.micro instance.
  • Usage: 750 hours per month for one year.
  • Operating System: Windows Server, accessible via RDP.

Getting Started with AWS Free Tier:

  1. Sign up for AWS: Create an AWS account.
  2. Launch an EC2 instance: Choose the Windows Server free-tier eligible instance.
  3. Connect via RDP: Use the EC2 dashboard to retrieve your login credentials and access the RDP client.

4. freerdps.com [Free Trial]



FreeRDPs Hosting provides a unique opportunity for users to access lifetime free RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) services. With this service, users can connect to a remote computer from anywhere in the world without the limitations and costs of standard RDP providers. This is ideal for individuals and businesses looking to access remote servers, run applications, or manage tasks without investing in costly server infrastructure.

  • Free VM Type: ecs.t5 instance.
  • Usage: Lifetime free [No need to Sign Up].
  • Operating System: Windows and Linux Server options available.

Getting Started with freerdps Free Trial:

  1. Register on freerdps and apply for the free trial.
  2. Create an ECS instance: Choose a Windows Server configuration.
  3. Connect via RDP: Once configured, connect to your instance through RDP.

5. Oracle Cloud Free Tier

Oracle Cloud provides an always-free tier that supports Linux and some limited Windows access. While Windows RDP isn’t directly free, Oracle’s Linux-based VMs can be set up to support third-party RDP tools.

  • Free VM Type: 2 AMD-based instances with 1 GB RAM each.
  • Usage: Always free within usage limits.
  • Operating System: Windows can be licensed separately.

Getting Started with Oracle Free Tier:

  1. Sign up for Oracle Cloud: Choose the free tier option.
  2. Create a VM instance: Choose an AMD-based instance for free usage.
  3. Configure RDP: If you install Windows, you can enable RDP access, although Windows licensing costs may apply.

Other Methods for Free RDP Access

If the above options don’t fully meet your needs, there are a few other ways to secure free RDP access.

Use Free Trials

Several RDP providers offer trial periods, though they usually don’t last a full year. Providers like Kamatera, Vultr, and Cloudways offer free trials ranging from 7 to 30 days. While these don’t last as long, you can experiment to find the best solution for your needs.

Educational Offers

Students can access free RDP through GitHub Education Pack or Microsoft’s Azure for Students. These platforms provide free or discounted access to virtual machines and developer tools.

Microsoft Remote Desktop App

If you have an existing Windows machine, you can use Microsoft Remote Desktop App to set up remote access to your own device at no cost. This option allows you to access your primary computer from other devices without any additional RDP costs.

Why Do You Need RDP?

RDP offers several advantages for various use cases, from remote work to server management.

1. Remote Work and Collaboration

RDP enables employees to securely connect to office computers from home or other locations, ensuring access to workplace files, applications, and resources. This has become especially relevant in remote work environments, allowing seamless productivity without being physically present.

Example: A designer working remotely can connect to their office workstation via RDP to access powerful software and large files that are only available on the office computer.

2. Access to High-Performance Computing

With RDP, you can remotely access a powerful computer or server, which is useful for resource-intensive tasks like video editing, programming, and data analysis. Instead of investing in expensive hardware, you can use RDP to connect to a server with higher computing power.

Example: A developer can use RDP to connect to a high-performance server for testing applications, saving time and computing resources on their personal device.

3. Server Management

For IT administrators, RDP is an essential tool for managing and maintaining servers without being physically present. Through RDP, administrators can monitor server performance, troubleshoot issues, and install updates on remote servers efficiently.

Example: A system administrator can use RDP to monitor a remote server’s health, make configurations, and perform regular maintenance without needing to visit the physical server location.

4. File Sharing and Resource Access

RDP facilitates quick access to files and shared resources. Instead of transferring large files back and forth, you can connect to the remote machine to directly access and work on them, saving time and network bandwidth.

Example: A content creator can remotely access large media files stored on their desktop while traveling, using RDP to access, edit, and upload content without transferring files.

5. Enhanced Security for Remote Access

Unlike some other remote access solutions, RDP connections can be secured with encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and virtual private networks (VPNs). This security focus makes RDP a preferred solution for organizations that prioritize secure access to company resources.

Example: A financial advisor can use RDP to securely access client information stored on an office computer, protected by encryption and additional security layers.

Benefits of Using RDP

  • Cost-Effective: Access powerful servers without investing in expensive hardware.
  • Improved Efficiency: Work on files and applications remotely without file transfer delays.
  • Secure: Protects remote connections with encryption and additional security layers.
  • Scalable: Supports multi-user access on Windows Server, ideal for organizations.

Final Thoughts

Getting free RDP access for a year is entirely possible with cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and freerdps.com. While each has its own set of limitations, these services provide reliable access to RDP, which can support various professional and personal needs. By taking advantage of free tiers, educational discounts, or trial offers, you can enjoy the benefits of remote desktop access without breaking the bank.

Ready to dive into your free RDP setup? Explore the options that best match your needs and start building your remote workspace today!

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