Cannot access Google Compute Engine Windows RDP

[Robert Allen]

I created a Google Compute Engine project using a Windows Server OS during the free trial period. I changed the RDP port to a non-standard port and continued building a web application on this Windows VM using my designated non-standard port. After completing the application, I unintentionally let the trial period lapse. After setting up a payment, I was able to restart the VM. I can access the web applications with no issues. I cannot access the VM using RDP. 

I have verified that the firewall rules still include the alternate RDP port that I originally set and the standard port 3389. 

I have tried using the /admin command line switch.

I have tried re-downloading the RDP file.

I have tried using the Chrome extension.

I have no other way to access this machine and will be forced to discontinue this service and re-construct my application elsewhere.

[Kamran (Google Cloud Support)]

Hello Robert,

It's possible that internal firewall of Windows Server is blocking the non-standard port that you configured for RDP service. Did you try turning off Windows firewall to verify if this is the cause of issue? To turn off internal firewall, you can setup a startup script on your Windows machine and then reboot the VM. For example, add windows-startup-script-cmd custom metadata key with value of netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off  to your VM and then reset the machine. Startup script will run and turn off Windows firewall. At this point you can try connecting to your Windows machine through RDP to verify if the internal firewall was blocking the RDP connection. 

Also, I'd like to ask if Remote Desktop Services role is installed on the Windows server or you were using the regular Remote Desktop Service that comes as default with a fresh Windows server? 

Please let me know if you have any further questions and I'll be glad to assist you on troubleshooting this issue.

Sincerely,

[Robert Allen]

Kamran,

This worked great!

Thank you very much.

Robert

[Kamran (Google Cloud Support)]

Robert,

Thank you for your message and I'm glad to hear that you were able to resolve the issue.

Sincerely,

[Carlos Ariel Ramirez Castrillón]

Buenas tardes.  No funciona porque al parecer requiere permisos de administrador para poder desactivar el firewall de windows.

Espero su ayuda.  Gracias.