Can’t Connect via RDP with Your Microsoft Account? Here’s Why—and How to Fix It (Windows 10)

Have you tried to use Remote Desktop (RDP) to connect from your desktop to your laptop, only to be greeted with the frustrating message:

“Your credentials did not work.”

Even though you’re sure your Microsoft account password is correct?

You’re not alone. Many users around the world have faced this exact issue. Some say the RDP only accepts their old password, while others can’t log in at all despite having access to the same account on other devices.

This article explains why this happens on Windows 10, and walks you through clear, beginner-friendly solutions to get your RDP connection working again.

❗Common Error Message

“Your credentials did not work”

This message appears when RDP can’t authenticate the username or password you entered. While it may seem like a simple typo, there’s often more going on beneath the surface—especially when you’re using a Microsoft account.

Main Causes and How to Fix Them

1. ⚠️ RDP is Still Using Your Old Microsoft Account Password

Explanation:

Even if you’ve updated your Microsoft account password, the remote PC you’re trying to connect to (like a laptop) might not have synced the new credentials—especially if it’s been offline or asleep for a while.

Fix:

• Make sure the remote PC is turned on and connected to the internet.
• Log into it once with your new password. This ensures Windows syncs your updated credentials properly.

2. You’re Using the Wrong Username Format

Explanation:

When using a Microsoft account, just typing your email address may not be enough. You often need to use a special format for RDP to recognize it properly.

Fix: Try using either of these formats for your username:

• MicrosoftAccount\your-email@example.com
• ComputerName\LocalUsername (if using a local account)

Incorrect username formatting is one of the most common causes of failed RDP logins.

3. You Haven’t Restarted After Changing Your Password

Explanation:

Windows sometimes continues using cached credentials until a restart forces it to refresh. If you changed your Microsoft account password but didn’t restart the PC, it might still be working with the old version.

Fix:

• Restart the remote PC and ensure it connects to the internet before trying RDP again.

4. Want a More Reliable Connection? Create a Local Account

Explanation:

Using a dedicated local account with a password is the most stable and trouble-free way to use RDP, especially if you’re frequently connecting between devices.

👣 How to Create a Local Account (Windows 10)

1. Click Start → Settings (⚙)
2. Go to Accounts
3. Choose Family & other users → Add someone else to this PC
4. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information
5. Click Add a user without a Microsoft account
6. Set a username and password

✔️You can now use this new local account for your RDP connections with fewer issues.

RDP Login Format Examples

Here’s what your RDP login fields should look like

Important Notes:

• For Microsoft accounts, don’t forget to include MicrosoftAccount\ before the email.
• For local accounts, make sure to use ComputerName\Username with the correct backslash (\), not a forward slash (/).

How to Check Your PC Name

1. Go to Settings → System → About
2. Look under “Device name”

Enable Remote Desktop Access

1. Open System Properties
2. Go to the Remote tab
3. Check Allow remote connections to this computer

Extra Tips & Tricks

Let’s go over some bonus solutions that help you bypass common RDP issues—especially when using Microsoft accounts.

Trick #1: Convert to Local Username Format

Microsoft accounts are sometimes stored internally as local users. That’s why using a “local-style” name can work better.

How to Find Your Internal Username:

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, then hit Enter
2. In the Command Prompt, type

3. Note the result, such as:
   DESKTOP-1234ABCD\YourUsername

Use this format in the RDP “username” field. It may work even if MicrosoftAccount\you@example.com fails.

Trick #2: Save Your Credentials in Credential Manager

Typing in your complex Microsoft credentials every time can lead to mistakes. Let Windows remember them for you!

How to Save RDP Credentials

1. Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Credential Manager
2. Select Windows Credentials → Add a Windows Credential
3. Enter:
   
   • The remote PC’s name (e.g., DESKTOP-1234)
   • Your username (MicrosoftAccount\your-email)
   • Your password

✔️ This helps avoid retyping your credentials and can prevent authentication errors.

⚠️ Reminder: PINs and Face Login Don’t Work for RDP

Even if you normally log into your PC using a PIN or Windows Hello (face/fingerprint), RDP requires your full Microsoft password.

If you’ve forgotten it:

Go to:

Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Password → Reset or Change

Final Thoughts

• Check your username format and try both Microsoft and local styles
• Restart your remote PC and ensure it’s online after a password change
• Use Credential Manager to simplify logins
• Set up a local account for a more stable and reliable connection

Remote Desktop is a powerful feature—but when using a Microsoft account, a few quirks can stand in your way. With the steps above, you’ll avoid those common pitfalls and connect smoothly between your devices.

タグ: RDP login issue, Local account RDP, Windows 10 remote access, Microsoft account not working, Fix RDP authentication, Remote Desktop Windows 10, RDP credential error