Can’t connect to Windows 11 vm via RDP: wrong password

I installed Windows 11 on a virtual machine running on Synology Virtual Machine manager. I followed these instructions, everything went smoothly. During the installation, I connected with my Microsoft account, I authenticated via Microsoft Authenticator during the setup and created a PIN. All good.

I then activated the option to connect via Remote Desktop and tried to connect remotely to the workstation.

The issue: incorrect credentials

When I connected via Remote Desktop and tried to authenticate with my Microsoft account and password, the connection was refused and I got the message that my credentials were incorrect.

screenshot of a computer error message that says the credentials are incorrect

Of course I quadruple-checked my password, but no luck.

The solution

It seems that you need to login at least once with your Microsoft account password before you can connect remotely. So I logged on on the console, selected to connect via password instead of Pin or Authenticator, and voilà: I could connect via Remote Desktop afterwards.

Running Home Assistant in Synology Virtual Machine Manager (VMM)

I wanted to run Home Assistant in a virtual machine on a Synology 925+ NAS. The instructions on the HA site are for the docker version and don’t give any specific details for the built-in virtualisation tool of Synology (Virtual Machine Manager) so here is the config that worked for me:

  • Navigate to https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/alternative/ and download the .ova image
  • On your Synology, open Virtual Machine manager
  • Select Virtual Machine, don’t click Create but Import
  • Select Import from OVA files
  • Select the .ova file you just download (stored on your pc or on the NAS)
  • Select the storage of your choice
  • Select the following options for the General specifications
HA virtual machine general settings
  • Select the size of your disk (I kept the proposed 32 GB)
  • Select your desired network settings (I kept the default)
  • In the Other settings screen, make sure to select UEFI for the Firmware setting. Leaving it on Legacy BIOS made the machine hang on boot for me
  • Select the user(s) that will have management permissions on your virtual machine
  • Review the settings and finish the import