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Usage FAQ

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This topic covers frequently asked questions about using Personal Edition cloud computers.

Index

Connection and Internet

How do I use my cloud computer after purchase?

You need to connect to your cloud computer through the client. Personal Edition supports connections through Windows client, macOS client, Web client, Android client, iOS client, Alipay Mini Program, and WeChat Mini Program.

The following steps use Windows client as an example.

  1. Open the client and use the version selector at the top to switch to the Personal Edition login page.

  2. On the Personal Edition login page, sign in with your phone number or scan a QR code. After you sign in, the client displays your cloud computers as cards.

  3. On the cloud computer card in the client, click the power-on icon.

    The power-on icon is a gray circular Power button at the lower-right corner of the card.

  4. After the cloud computer starts, click the connect button on the card to open your cloud computer.

    The connect button is a blue circular icon at the lower-right corner of the card.

For detailed instructions on connecting to a cloud computer, see Cloud computer usage overview. For tips on using your cloud computer, see Use cloud computers.

How do I view my usage history?

You can view your usage history through the Alipay/WeChat Mini Program. Other software clients do not currently support viewing usage history.

  1. In Alipay or WeChat, search for and open the Wuying cloud computer mini program.

  2. At the bottom of the Mini Program, tap Me.

  3. On the My Account page, tap Cloud Resource Usage History to view your cloud computer usage records.

    Note

    Usage history information may have a delay of approximately 10 minutes.

What should I do if Firefox on my Ubuntu cloud computer cannot access certain websites?

If you use the built-in Firefox browser on an Ubuntu cloud computer and receive a "403 Forbidden" error for websites that work correctly in Chrome, follow these steps to resolve the issue.

  1. In Firefox, click the 3 menu icon in the upper-right corner and select Add-ons and themes.

  2. In the new panel, select Extensions and click Add to Firefox.

  3. After the installation is complete, a new h icon appears in the upper-right corner of the browser.

  4. Restart the browser.

  5. Click the h icon and select .

  6. Click Apply (container).

What should I do if my VPN software keeps disconnecting on a Windows cloud computer?

If your virtual private network (VPN) software on a Windows cloud computer keeps disconnecting, you can add a domain-to-IP address mapping in the Hosts file to resolve the issue.

  1. Click vpnhosts.exe to download the tool.

  2. Open Command Prompt, navigate to the directory where the vpnhosts.exe tool is located, and run the following command to add the mapping to the Hosts file:

    .\vpnhosts.exe -set

    If the set hosts successfully message is returned, you have successfully modified the Hosts file.

    Important

    If you modify the Hosts file, you can still create a snapshot of the cloud computer, but you cannot use that snapshot to create a custom image.

To remove the mapping and restore the Hosts file, run the following command:

.\vpnhosts.exe -clean

If the clean hosts successfully message is returned, the hosts file is restored successfully.

What should I do if my Windows cloud computer cannot access high-security websites?

When you access high-security websites from a Windows cloud computer, content may be blocked or pages may fail to load. For example, a page may not refresh during software registration, or a QR code may fail to appear. This can happen because IE Enhanced Security Configuration is disabled by default on Windows cloud computers. To fix this, enable the feature and add the website to your trusted sites. The following example uses a scenario where a Baidu Netdisk client fails to display a QR code.

  1. In the search box in the lower-left corner of the cloud computer desktop, enter Control Panel and open it.

  2. Set View by to Small icons and click Administrative Tools.

  3. Double-click Server Manager and click Local Server.

  4. In the Properties section, click Off next to IE Enhanced Security Configuration.

  5. In the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration panel, set both Administrators and Users to On (Recommended) and click OK.

    Reopen the Server Manager > Local Server page. The status of IE Enhanced Security Configuration is updated to On.

  6. When you access Baidu Netdisk again, a dialog box for Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration appears. Note the website address at the top of the dialog box, click Add, enter the address in the Add this website to the zone text box, click Add, and then click Close.

  7. Another enhanced security dialog box may appear. Repeat the previous step: note the address, click Add, enter the address in the Add this website to the zone text box, click Add, and then click Close.

    Reopen Baidu Netdisk. The QR code on the sign-in page now refreshes automatically.

Does a Personal Edition cloud computer have a dedicated public IP address?

The public IP address of a Personal Edition cloud computer is shared, not dedicated. This means that multiple cloud computers may share the same public IP address. The shared public IP address is not static and may change at any time, so you cannot guarantee the same IP address each time you sign in. Because the egress IP address is shared, external parties cannot directly access a specific cloud computer through that IP address, and services deployed on the cloud computer cannot be accessed remotely from outside.

If you need to access services you have deployed through an IP address, we recommend that you use Elastic Compute Service (ECS), which supports dedicated public IP addresses. For details, see What is ECS?.

How do I find the public IP address of my Personal Edition cloud computer?

Open a browser on your Personal Edition cloud computer and visit an IP lookup website (for example, https://myip.ipip.net) to find the current egress public IP address of your cloud computer.

Why does my Personal Edition cloud computer egress IP not match my selected region?

Personal Edition cloud computers do not have a fixed regional attribute. The preferred region you select when configuring your cloud computer (such as North China or East China) is a general geographic area. The system deploys the cloud computer to a data center near the selected preferred region. Because the actual location of a data center may differ from the city implied by the preferred region name, the city shown for the egress IP on an IP lookup website may not exactly match the preferred region name. For example, if you select North China as your preferred region, the egress IP may show as Hangzhou. This is normal and does not affect cloud computer usage.

To find your current egress IP, see How do I find the public IP address of my Personal Edition cloud computer?.

Can I change the public IP address of my Personal Edition cloud computer?

Personal Edition cloud computers do not support manually changing the public IP address. The public IP address is automatically assigned by the system and may change, but you cannot specify or lock a particular address.

If a website blocks or blacklists a shared egress IP address, ask the website operator to remove the restriction. You can also purchase a cloud computer in a different region to obtain a different egress IP address. If you need a static public IP address, use Elastic Compute Service (ECS).

How do I increase the network speed on my Personal Edition cloud computer?

The internet bandwidth included in a Personal Edition cloud computer plan is 10 Mbps. You can upgrade the bandwidth. For more information, see Upgrade plan or network bandwidth.

Does a Personal Edition cloud computer support binding an EIP for internet access?

Personal Edition cloud computers already support public network access and do not support binding Elastic IP Address (EIP). Therefore, you cannot use EIP binding to change the public IP address or adjust the network bandwidth.

Should proxy software be installed on the local computer or the cloud computer?

Install the proxy software on the cloud computer, not on your local computer. Proxy settings configured only on the local client do not apply to applications that run inside the cloud computer.

Installing proxy software modifies the cloud computer's network configuration, which can cause connection issues. We recommend creating an image backup before installation to ensure a quick recovery if a problem occurs.

If network access becomes unavailable after you enable proxy software such as Clash, V2Ray, or SSR, disable the proxy software and restart the cloud computer. Do not continue to change network routes, system proxy settings, or firewall rules until the connection is restored.

Make sure that the proxy software, the network destination, and the configuration comply with applicable security policies. This FAQ does not guarantee that a proxy can access a specific external website or service.

What do I do if a third-party VPN client cannot import a configuration file or its connection is blocked?

If the VPN connection is blocked, such as with an HTTP 403 error, the VPN platform or the destination website might have applied a policy restriction or blacklisted the connection. Contact the VPN platform for assistance or test a different VPN node.

If you change to an OpenClaw image, create a snapshot backup first. Changing the image clears the data on the cloud computer. Using OpenClaw also requires you to purchase a separate large language model service.

Files and Transfer

Are there size limits for uploading files to a cloud computer?

Windows cloud computers do not have a file size limit for uploads. Linux cloud computers have a 4 GB limit per file.

Note

When you use the web client to connect to a cloud computer, uploads are limited to 2 GB. To transfer files larger than 2 GB, use the Windows client or macOS client.

How do I upload and download files on my cloud computer?

You can connect to your cloud computer through multiple clients. The supported file transfer methods and procedures vary slightly by client. Choose the method that suits your situation. For more information, see Transfer files.

What should I do if an error occurs when copying and pasting a file from my local computer to a cloud computer?

Symptom

You cannot copy and paste a file from your local computer to a cloud computer.

Cause

The file path may be too long. The Windows operating system limits file paths to 260 characters. For more information about this limitation, see Maximum Path Length Limitation.

Solution

  • Shorten the file path or copy the files in smaller batches.

  • Use an alternative method to transfer the files, such as local disk mapping or the built-in file transfer feature.

Backup and Recovery

How do I restore cloud computer data using a restore point?

  1. Click the Manage button on the target cloud computer.

  2. On the Manage page, go to the Restore Point tab, find the target restore point, and click Restore on the right side.

    Note

    • To restore your cloud computer disk data to the state when the restore point was created, shut down the cloud computer first.

    • You can view the automatically generated restore points here. Only the 7 most recent restore points are retained for both the system disk and data disk. If you just activated your cloud computer, restore points may not be available yet because the scheduled creation time has not arrived.

  3. In the confirmation dialog, click Confirm Restore.

How do I migrate cloud computer data using an image?

If you have multiple cloud computers and want to migrate all data from cloud computer A to cloud computer B, you can use the image feature. An image is a type of data backup that includes the operating system, initialized application data, pre-installed software, and the data on the data disk you select.

Prerequisites

  • The cloud computers must belong to you personally.

  • Cloud computer B (the one receiving the data) must not be shut down, and its data disk capacity must be at least as large as cloud computer A.

    Note

    • If cloud computer B has a smaller data disk than cloud computer A, you can upgrade to a higher-tier plan to expand cloud computer B.

    • If cloud computer A and B are in different preferred regions, this process may take longer, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

    Important

    After the image change is complete, cloud computer B's data is overwritten with cloud computer A's data from the image. If cloud computer B contains important data, back it up in advance.

Procedure

Alipay/WeChat Mini Program

  1. In Alipay or WeChat, search for and open the Wuying cloud computer mini program.

  2. Create an image for cloud computer A:

    1. On the cloud computer A card, tap Manage.

    2. On the Image tab, tap Create Image.

    3. On the Create Image page, enter an image name and description, select the disk scope for the image, choose whether you need the system to help clean personal data, and then tap Confirm Shutdown and Create.

      Note

      You can create a maximum of 5 custom images.

  3. Change the image for cloud computer B:

    1. On the cloud computer B card, tap Manage.

    2. On the Image tab, tap Change Image.

    3. On the Change Image page, tap Select Image.

    4. On the My Images tab of the Select Image panel, select the image of cloud computer A.

    5. On the Change Image page, tap Confirm Shutdown and Change.

Windows/macOS/Web client

  1. Open the client and sign in to the Personal Edition.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Cloud Computer.

  3. Create an image for cloud computer A:

    1. On the cloud computer A card, click Manage.

    2. On the Image panel, click Create Image.

    3. On the Create Image panel, select the disk scope for the image, choose whether you need the system to help clean personal data, and then click Create Now.

      Note

      You can create a maximum of 5 custom images.

  4. Change the image for cloud computer B:

    1. On the cloud computer B card, click Manage.

    2. On the Image panel, click Change Image.

    3. On the Change Image panel, click Select Image.

    4. On the My Images tab of the Select Image panel, select the image of cloud computer A, and click OK.

    5. On the Change Image panel, click Confirm Shutdown and Change.

Android/iOS client

  1. Open the client and sign in to Personal Edition.

  2. Create an image for cloud computer A:

    1. On the cloud computer A card, tap Manage.

    2. On the Image tab, tap Create Image.

    3. On the Create Image page, enter an image name and description, select the disk scope for the image, choose whether you need the system to help clean personal data, and then tap Confirm Shutdown and Create.

      Note

      You can create a maximum of 5 custom images.

  3. Change the image for cloud computer B:

    1. On the cloud computer B card, tap Manage.

    2. On the Image tab, tap Change Image.

    3. On the Change Image page, tap Select Image.

    4. On the My Images tab of the Select Image panel, select the image of cloud computer A.

    5. On the Change Image page, tap Confirm Shutdown and Change.

How do I quickly set up a cloud computer that matches someone else's?

When configuring a new cloud computer or changing the image of an existing one, you can use an image sharing code provided by another user to quickly complete the cloud computer configuration. This gives you a cloud computer with the same operating system, applications, and data as the shared image.

Generate an image sharing code

The user sharing the image can follow these steps to generate an image sharing code:

Windows/macOS/Web client

  1. Open the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client and sign in to Personal Edition.

  2. In the lower-left corner of the cloud computer list page, click Image Management.

  3. On the My Images tab, find the image that you want to share, and then turn on the Sharing Code toggle.

  4. Select the Sharing Code Activation Method and specify whether to enable Encrypted Sharing, and then click OK.

  5. After the sharing code is generated, click the image icon next to it to copy the code.

    Note

    Image sharing codes are reusable. If you want to use the current image to replace a previously shared image, select Bind to Existing Sharing Code and choose a sharing code.

Android/iOS client

  1. Open the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client and sign in to Personal Edition.

  2. On the Me tab, tap Image Management.

  3. On the My Images tab, find the image that you want to share, and then turn on the Sharing Code toggle.

  4. Select the Sharing Code Activation Method and specify whether to enable Encrypted Sharing, and then tap OK.

  5. After the sharing code is generated, tap to copy it.

    Note

    Image sharing codes are reusable. If you want to use the current image to replace a previously shared image, select Bind to Existing Sharing Code and choose a sharing code.

Alipay/WeChat mini program

  1. In Alipay or WeChat, search for and open the Wuying cloud computer mini program.

  2. On the Me tab, tap Image Management.

  3. On the My Images tab, find the image that you want to share, and then turn on the Sharing Code toggle.

  4. Select the Sharing Code Activation Method and specify whether to enable Encrypted Sharing, and then tap OK.

  5. After the sharing code is generated, tap to copy it.

    Note

    Image sharing codes are reusable. If you want to use the current image to replace a previously shared image, select Bind to Existing Sharing Code and choose a sharing code.

Use an image sharing code to change the image

For an existing cloud computer, you can use an image sharing code to change its image.

Windows/macOS/Web client

  1. Open the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client and sign in to Personal Edition.

  2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Personal Cloud Computer.

  3. On the cloud computer card, click Manage.

  4. On the Image panel, click Change Image.

  5. On the Change Image page, perform one of the following operations:

    • To change to an existing image, click Select Image, select a custom image that you created or an imported shared image, and then click OK.

    • To change to a new shared image, click Select Image, click Import Image with Sharing Code at the bottom of the dialog box, enter the sharing code, and then click OK. After the image is imported, follow the previous step to change the image.

Android/iOS client

  1. Open the Alibaba Cloud Workspace client and sign in to Personal Edition.

  2. On the cloud computer card, click Manage.

  3. On the Manage page, click Change Image on the Image tab.

  4. On the Change Image page, perform one of the following operations:

    • To change to an existing image, click Select Image, select a custom image that you created or an imported shared image, and then click Confirm Shutdown and Change.

    • To change to a new shared image, click Import with Sharing Code, enter the sharing code, and then click OK. After the image is imported, follow the previous step to change the image.

Alipay/WeChat mini program

  1. In Alipay or WeChat, search for and open the Wuying cloud computer mini program.

  2. On the Cloud Resources tab, click Manage on the cloud computer card.

  3. On the Manage page, click Change Image on the Image tab.

  4. On the Change Image page, perform one of the following operations:

    • To change to an existing image, click Select Image, select a custom image that you created or an imported shared image, and then click Confirm Shutdown and Change.

    • To change to a new shared image, click Import with Sharing Code, enter the sharing code, and then click OK. After the image is imported, follow the previous step to change the image.

Use an image sharing code to configure a new cloud computer

After purchasing a plan-based cloud computer, you can use an image sharing code to quickly configure the new cloud computer.

Alipay/WeChat Mini Program

  1. In Alipay or WeChat, search for and open the Wuying cloud computer mini program.

  2. On the Cloud Resources tab, find the cloud computer card to configure, and tap Configure Now.

  3. On the Configure Cloud Computer page, tap Import Image.

  4. On the Image Information page, tap Enter Image Sharing Code, enter the sharing code, and then tap Next.

  5. On the Select Cloud Computer Mode page, select a mode, and tap Finish Configuration.

Windows/macOS client

  1. Open the client and sign in to the Personal Edition.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Cloud Computer.

  3. On the cloud computer card to configure, click Configure Now.

  4. On the Configuration Method tab of the Configure Cloud Computer page, click Import Image.

  5. In the Cloud Computer Basic Information dialog box, enter a custom cloud computer name, select a preferred region, and click OK.

  6. On the Pre-installed System tab, click Enter Image Sharing Code, enter the sharing code, and then click Next.

  7. On the Cloud Computer Specifications page, select a mode, and click Finish Configuration.

What do I do if my cloud computer shows as Stopped and I cannot connect to it after changing the image?

When you change the image of a cloud computer, if you selected Automatically shut down the cloud computer after the image change succeeds in the confirmation dialog, the cloud computer status changes to Stopped once the image change is complete. This is expected behavior. You need to manually power on the cloud computer:

  1. In the cloud computer list, find the cloud computer whose status is Stopped.

  2. Click the Start button on the cloud computer card.

  3. Wait for the cloud computer to start (about 1 to 5 minutes). The status changes to Starting and then Running.

  4. After the status changes to Running, click Connect to access your cloud computer.

Note

If you still cannot connect after starting the cloud computer, wait 5 to 10 minutes and try again.

System and Settings

How do I open the toolbar or performance panel in a cloud computer?

After you connect to a cloud computer, the toolbar is displayed as a floating ball on the desktop. The floating ball auto-hides when it is close to the edge of your screen. You can open the toolbar and performance panel as follows:

  • Open the toolbar

    On the cloud computer desktop, hover your mouse pointer over the small tab at the screen edge to reveal the floating ball.

  • Open the performance panel

    • Open the metrics bar: In the cloud computer, open the floating ball and click Metrics.

    • Switch the display mode: The metrics bar opens in simple mode by default. To display all metrics, click the icon on the right side of the metrics bar to switch to detailed mode. Click the icon to switch back to simple mode.

    • Close the metrics bar: Click the icon on the right side of the metrics bar.

Can I change the system time of a cloud computer?

No. Do not change the system time of a cloud computer. Changing the system time can cause service exceptions and may prevent you from connecting to the cloud computer.

What should I do if the built-in Chinese input method on my Ubuntu cloud computer does not work?

Symptom

  • When you switch to the Hanyu Pinyin (altgr) input method on an Ubuntu cloud computer, the cloud computer becomes unresponsive and a black screen appears.

  • After you use the Chinese (Intelligent pinyin) input method on an Ubuntu cloud computer and restart it, you can no longer enter Chinese characters.

Cause

  • Due to limitations of the Ubuntu operating system, the Hanyu Pinyin (altgr) input method does not work correctly in the IBus input method framework. If you switch to the Chinese input method in the Fcitx input method framework, the computer may become unresponsive or show a black screen.

  • Due to limitations of the Ubuntu operating system, the Chinese (Intelligent Pinyin) input method supports only the IBus framework. If you change to the Fcitx input method framework and restart the cloud computer, you can no longer enter Chinese characters.

Solution

To use the built-in Chinese input method of the Ubuntu system, apply the following settings.

  1. In the upper-right corner of the Ubuntu cloud computer desktop, click the icon and click Settings.

  2. In the left navigation pane of the Settings page, click Region & Language.

  3. In the Input Sources section, click the plus (+) icon, select Chinese > Chinese (Intelligent Pinyin), and then click Add.

    Note

    The built-in Chinese input method in the Ubuntu operating system supports only the IBus input method framework. To use the Fcitx input method framework, you must download and install a different third-party input method.

  4. On the Region & Language page, click Manage Installed Languages.

  5. On the Language tab, select IBus for the Keyboard input method system and click Close.

How do I obtain and change the root password on an Ubuntu cloud computer?

Ubuntu cloud computers do not have a root password set by default. When you need root privileges for the first time, you must switch to the root user from your current account and set a password.

Obtain the initial root password

After an Ubuntu cloud computer is created, the root account has no initial password and cannot be used to sign in directly. Follow these steps to switch to the root user and set a password.

  1. Open the Terminal application on your Ubuntu cloud computer desktop.

    Click the application grid button (the nine-dot icon) at the lower-left corner of the desktop, and find and click Terminal in the application list.

  2. Run the following command to switch to the root user.

    sudo su

  3. Run the following command to set the root password.

    passwd

    Enter the new password twice when prompted to complete the setup.

Authentication token manipulation error when changing the root password

If you receive the error message Authentication token manipulation error when setting the root password, the commands you used are incorrect. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Terminal application on your Ubuntu cloud computer desktop.

    Click the application grid button (the nine-dot icon) at the lower-left corner of the desktop, and find and click Terminal in the application list.

  2. Run the following command to switch to the root user.

    sudo su

  3. Run the following command to remove the immutable attribute.

    sudo chattr -i /etc/passwd /etc/shadow

  4. Run the following command and set a new root password when prompted.

    passwd

  5. Run the following command to re-lock the files for security.

    sudo chattr +i /etc/passwd /etc/shadow

How do I switch the system interface language to Chinese on an Ubuntu cloud computer?

Ubuntu cloud computers use an English interface by default. To switch the system interface language to Chinese, install the Chinese language pack, configure the locale, and then restart the desktop.

  1. Open the Terminal application on your Ubuntu cloud computer desktop.

    Click the application grid button (the nine-dot icon) at the lower-left corner of the desktop, and find and click Terminal in the application list.

  2. Run the following command to install the Chinese language pack.

    sudo apt install language-pack-zh-hans

  3. Run the following commands to configure the system-wide locale.

    echo "export LANG=zh_CN.UTF-8" | sudo tee -a /etc/profile
echo "export LANGUAGE=zh_CN:zh" | sudo tee -a /etc/profile

    /etc/profile is owned by root, so pipe the output to sudo tee to append to it.

  4. Run the following commands to configure the user-level locale.

    echo "export LANG=zh_CN.UTF-8" >> ~/.bashrc
echo "export LANGUAGE=zh_CN:zh" >> ~/.bashrc

    ~/.bashrc is owned by the current user, so sudo is not required.

  5. Run the following command to apply the configuration.

    source ~/.bashrc && source /etc/profile

  6. Restart the cloud computer desktop.

    The system interface language changes to Chinese.

If you run sudo echo "export LANG=zh_CN.UTF-8" >> /etc/profile, the command fails with a permission error. sudo applies only to the echo command, not to the >> redirection operator. Your current shell performs the redirection as your current user, and /etc/profile is owned by root (permissions -rw-r--r-- 1 root root), so the write is denied.

Use echo "..." | sudo tee -a /etc/profile or sudo bash -c 'echo "..." >> /etc/profile' instead.

How do I install software on a Linux cloud computer?

Ubuntu cloud computers typically do not provide a graphical software store. You can download installation packages from a browser in the cloud computer, or install software from the command line.

  • To install a .deb package, open Terminal, go to the directory where the package is downloaded, and run the following command:

    sudo dpkg -i <filename>.deb

    Replace <filename>.deb with the actual file name. If the file name contains spaces or special characters, escape the characters or wrap the file name in quotation marks.

  • To install software from APT repositories, run the following command:

    sudo apt install <package-name>

    Replace <package-name> with the package name that is provided by the software vendor or repository. The availability and installation method of specific applications, such as WeChat or screenshot tools, depend on the software vendor and the Ubuntu version used by your cloud computer.

Can I change the color format for a Windows cloud computer?

No, this is not supported.

What should I do if the Display settings window closes unexpectedly?

Symptom

On the cloud computer desktop, you right-click a blank area and select Display Settings. After a moment, the Settings window closes unexpectedly.

Cause

Related system services on the cloud computer are not running.

Solution

Enable the required system services:

  1. In the cloud computer, press Win+R. In the Run window, enter services.msc and click OK.

  2. In the Services window, start the following services one by one: Remote Procedure Call (RPC), Network Connection Broker, and Connected Devices Platform Service.

    1. Right-click the service name and select Properties.

    2. In the dialog box, set the Startup type to Automatic.

    3. Under Service status, click Start.

    4. Click Apply and then OK.

What should I do if UI scaling changes do not apply to certain software?

UI scaling changes may not apply to some applications because they are incompatible with dynamic resolution switching. Try restarting the cloud computer to resolve the issue. If the issue persists, report it to the software developer and request that they improve compatibility with dynamic resolution switching.

Does a Wuying cloud computer provide a hard disk serial number?

No. A Wuying cloud computer is a virtualized resource and does not provide a traditional physical hard disk serial number or disk serial number for asset registration.

If you need to identify a cloud computer, use the cloud computer ID or other information that is displayed in the client. You can view the cloud computer ID on the Info tab. For more information, see View cloud computer details.

Do not use an undocumented registry path as proof of a hard disk serial number. The availability and fields of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AliyunEDSAgent\desktopInfos require product confirmation before they can be documented.

How do I rotate the screen when using a cloud computer on a mobile client?

When using a cloud computer on a mobile client, you can have the cloud computer display automatically follow the rotation of your mobile device, or rotate it manually.

  • Auto-rotate: Unlock the rotation lock on your mobile device, then rotate the device. The cloud computer display automatically follows the rotation.

  • Manual rotation: Tap the screen rotation button at the very bottom below the floating ball.

    Note

    The minimum client version required for this feature is V7.7.

For details, see Adjust screen orientation.

Why does my cloud computer show a black screen and fail to connect after switching from Performance mode to Gaming mode?

Switching to Gaming mode requires the GPU, drivers, and other related configurations to be loaded. The switch is expected to take about 30 minutes. Wait for a while, and then try connecting to your cloud computer again.

What does it mean when my cloud computer is in the Changing Configuration state?

Changing Configuration means that the cloud computer is changing its specifications, such as upgrading or downgrading the CPU or memory configuration. During this process, you cannot connect to or use the cloud computer. After the configuration change is complete, the status automatically returns to normal, and you can start the cloud computer. A configuration change affects only compute resource configuration and does not affect user data on the cloud computer. If the cloud computer remains in this state for an extended period, refresh the status in the client.

Why can't I connect to my cloud computer after expanding and upgrading the system disk?

A system disk expansion and upgrade updates the entire image rather than installing a patch. Therefore, the process takes longer and is expected to take about 45 minutes.

Can I obtain system administrator permissions for a Personal Edition cloud computer?

No. A Personal Edition cloud computer does not provide system administrator permissions, including Administrator or root permissions.

If a specific application needs to be launched with elevated permissions, right-click the application, select Run as administrator, and then check whether the application runs.

Software and Games

Can I run local applications on a cloud computer?

No, you cannot run locally installed applications on a cloud computer. While you can run portable (installation-free) applications from a local drive, this approach is not recommended because it may degrade performance and increase bandwidth usage. To access local files, a better method is to enable local disk mapping, which allows you to read from and write to local files from within the cloud computer. For more information, see Policy overview.

What should I do if some game software does not run correctly on a cloud computer?

If your cloud computer meets a game's system requirements but the game still fails to run, the DirectPlay component may be missing. You can install it by following these steps.

  1. In the Windows cloud computer, go to Start > Windows Administrative Tools > Server Manager.

  2. On the Dashboard of Server Manager, click Add roles and features.

  3. On the Before You Begin, Installation Type, Server Selection, and Server Roles pages, keep the default settings and click Next.

  4. On the Features page, select DirectPlay and click Next.

  5. On the Confirmation page, click Install.

  6. Wait 2 to 5 minutes for the installation to complete and for the Results page to appear.

What is the difference between the system disk and data disk? Can I run programs installed on the data disk?

On a Windows cloud computer, drive C is the system disk and drive D is the data disk.

The system disk is the default system partition of the hard drive. It typically serves as the installation location for the operating system and stores system drivers, the registry, default program installation directories (such as Program Files), and user documents (such as the Desktop and Downloads folders). The data disk is any partition other than the system disk and is generally used to store personal data.

Just like on a regular computer, you can install applications on drive D. Any application that can run on drive D of a regular computer can also run on drive D of your cloud computer.

How long are files downloaded to the system disk retained?

During the validity period of your plan, files downloaded to the system disk are retained indefinitely and are not automatically cleaned up, as long as you do not reinstall the system or change the image.

Reinstalling the system or changing the image clears all files on the system disk. If you have important files, back them up to the data disk or transfer them to your local device in advance.

After your plan expires, the cloud computer is automatically shut down. Data on the disks is still retained but cannot be accessed until you renew. After renewal, you can restart the cloud computer and your files are still available.

What do I do if the system disk (C: drive) is running out of space or growing too fast?

The system disk can grow because of Windows updates, system cache, browser temporary files, application cache, and files that are saved to the default user folders. For more information about the difference between drive C and drive D, see What is the difference between the system disk and data disk? Can I run programs installed on the data disk?.

To free up space, use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool first. You can also clear browser temporary files, such as the files in the INetCache directory, after you confirm that they are no longer needed. Do not delete system folders directly.

Do not move the pagefile.sys virtual memory file unless doing so is confirmed to be safe for your operating system. Moving or deleting this file can affect system stability. Store personal data and large files on the data disk, such as drive D, instead of the system disk.

If the WindowsApps folder occupies too much space, do not delete the folder directly. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and uninstall the applications that you no longer need. This keeps Windows application permissions and dependencies intact.

The initial size and used space of a newly purchased cloud computer are not fixed, and vary by plan, image, and update state. Check the actual disk size and used space on your cloud computer. To understand how long files are retained before you reinstall the system or change the image, see How long are files downloaded to the system disk retained?.

What do I do if a game says no GPU is available?

Check whether your cloud computer is currently running in Gaming mode. If it is not in Gaming mode, restart the cloud computer and select Gaming mode. Only Gaming mode provides a dedicated GPU.

What do I do if software installed from EDS App Center shows a version-too-old warning?

Software versions in EDS App Center may not always be updated to the latest release. When an application (such as WeChat) displays a version-too-old warning and cannot be used normally, download and install the latest version directly from the application's official website.

Does a cloud computer support deploying Dify, n8n, and other AI workflow platforms through Docker?

Cloud computers with Linux system images support Docker and can deploy Dify, n8n, and other containerized AI workflow platforms. Windows cloud computers do not support Docker.

When purchasing a cloud computer, select a Linux system image (such as Ubuntu 24.04) to install and use Docker. You can also select a community image with a pre-installed Docker environment from the Content Marketplace to skip the manual Docker installation steps.

The public IP address of a cloud computer is shared and does not support binding a dedicated public IP. As a result, web services deployed on the cloud computer cannot be accessed directly from outside the network. If you need to provide an externally accessible service, we recommend that you use Elastic Compute Service (ECS), which has a dedicated public IP, for deployment. For details, see What is ECS?.

What do I do if a third-party application runs slowly on my cloud computer?

  1. Open Task Manager on the cloud computer to check CPU and memory usage, and close unnecessary background programs.

  2. Check the current running mode. Personal Edition cloud computers provide 4 running modes: Economy mode (4 CPU cores, 8 GiB memory), Smooth mode (8 CPU cores, 16 GiB memory), Performance mode (16 CPU cores, 32 GiB memory), and Gaming mode (12 CPU cores, 46 GiB memory + 11 GiB GPU memory). You select a mode each time you start the cloud computer. Running large applications in a lower-spec mode may result in insufficient performance.

  3. If the current mode has lower specifications, shut down the cloud computer and restart it, then select a higher running mode at startup.

  4. Check your local network latency. High network latency can cause lag when operating the cloud computer.

Do applications running on my cloud computer keep running after I disconnect?

After you disconnect from a cloud computer, applications that are already running are not closed immediately and continue to run on the cloud computer.

If you need an application to keep running for an extended period of time, set the power options on the cloud computer to Never sleep.

What do I do if third-party software installation or execution fails, such as when a command is not recognized or an icon is missing?

Use the following checks for the symptom you encounter:

  • If a command is reported as not recognized as an internal or external command, required dependencies may be missing or the environment variable may be misconfigured. Confirm the dependency requirements with the software provider, then check the runtime environment and path configuration.

  • If a program such as CODESYS installs without a launch icon, check whether the required service is disabled on the cloud computer. In Services, set the service Startup type to Automatic or Manual, select Start, and then try again.

  • If Anaconda installation fails, use the graphical installer package instead of downloading and installing it with a PowerShell script.

  • If you cannot install software such as Claude, the software provider might restrict access from mainland China IP addresses. This restriction is imposed by the software website, not by the cloud computer.

What do I do if WeChat, Taobao Qianniu, Pinduoduo, or another third-party platform triggers risk controls or repeated verification codes?

A cloud computer has a device identifier and a shared egress IP address that can differ from the devices and network you normally use. A third-party platform might therefore identify the sign-in as an unusual environment under its security policy.

For risk controls in WeChat, Taobao Qianniu, or similar platforms, complete the platform's security verification or appeal through its official channel. Alibaba Cloud cannot intervene in a third-party platform's risk-control decision. Do not make repeated attempts after an account is restricted, because doing so can result in a permanent restriction.

If Pinduoduo frequently requests verification codes, keep the sign-in environment stable by using the same cloud computer, browser, and network. Avoid switching regions frequently. You can ask the merchant's customer service to reduce the verification frequency.

These restrictions are set by third-party platforms and do not indicate a cloud computer product issue.

What do I do if unexpected software installs automatically or the cloud computer becomes slow?

Unexpected software is usually installed as an unwanted bundled component when you install other software. Bundled programs can consume system resources and make the cloud computer slower.

Open Control Panel, select Add or Remove Programs, and uninstall software you do not need, including third-party tools such as 360 if they are installed. After you uninstall the software, check whether another unwanted program installs automatically.

When you install software, review each installation option and clear any selected bundled-software options that you do not need.

Does an unactivated Windows system affect use during a free trial?

Windows must still be activated during a free trial. You must resolve Windows activation yourself before you use software that requires an activated system.

Does installing cloud-drive software on a cloud computer affect network performance?

No. Normal installation and use of cloud-drive software, such as Baidu Netdisk or Alibaba Cloud Drive, does not affect the cloud computer's network performance.

Why is cloud computer control disconnected after I sign in to a VPN or zero-trust gateway?

Issue

After you sign in to aTrust, a corporate VPN, or a zero-trust gateway on an Ubuntu cloud computer, control of the cloud computer disconnects immediately and you cannot continue to use the cloud computer.

Cause

VPN and zero-trust gateway software can take over all network traffic on the operating system, including the cloud computer connection channel. If the software redirects or intercepts these connections, the control channel between the client and the cloud computer is interrupted. The screen can freeze, the keyboard and mouse can stop responding, or the connection can disconnect.

Solution

Contact the administrator of your company's VPN or zero-trust gateway. Ask the administrator to add the following cloud computer connection CIDR ranges to the whitelist or excluded routes:

100.64.0.0/10
198.18.0.0/15

Configure these CIDR ranges to bypass the VPN tunnel or allow them directly. Then, sign in to the cloud computer and start aTrust or the VPN again. This prevents the control channel from being interrupted.

Additional information

  • This solution also applies to other proxy software, VPN clients, and zero-trust gateways that cause the same issue.

  • You cannot configure these CIDR ranges from inside the cloud computer. Your company's IT team or the VPN or gateway provider must configure them on the VPN or gateway side.

  • If the corporate VPN configuration cannot be changed temporarily, complete VPN-related work outside the cloud computer, or connect to the VPN on your local computer before you access the cloud computer through a local client. The available option depends on your company's business requirements.

Why can I not see the data disk in the desktop file manager on a Linux cloud computer?

Issue

You purchased a Linux cloud computer with Ubuntu and a 200 GB data disk, but after startup you can see only the 80 GB system disk. The desktop file manager and disk management do not show a separate data disk partition.

Cause

The data disk on a Linux cloud computer is mounted at /home by default. The system disk and data disk capacity are used together, so you do not need to assign a separate drive letter as you do for drive D on Windows. The Ubuntu GNOME desktop does not show /home in the file manager sidebar by default, which can make the data disk appear unavailable.

Solution

  1. Confirm that the data disk is mounted.

    Open Terminal on the cloud computer and run the following command to check disk usage:

    sudo df -Th

    If the space for /home is close to the capacity of the data disk that you purchased, the data disk is mounted and available.

  2. Show /home in the file manager sidebar.

    Run the following command to add /home to the GNOME file manager bookmarks:

    echo "file:///home Data Disk" >> ~/.config/gtk-3.0/bookmarks

    Reopen the file manager. The Data Disk shortcut appears in the sidebar. Select it to open /home, which is the data disk space.

EDS Personal Edition: What is the cloud computer administrator password, and how do I create one?

Symptom

When you install software, change system settings, or use an application such as Chrome or Doubao that requests an administrator password, the system asks for the password of the admin account. Windows and Linux images for EDS Personal Edition do not provide a preset, fixed password for the admin user. Create a password once and then use it when required.

Important

This password is an operating system user password inside the cloud computer. It is not the client logon password or your Alibaba Cloud account password.

Scenarios

  • You are prompted for an administrator password when you install software.

  • Chrome browser password management, the Doubao client, or another application requests the admin account password.

  • You need to run a command or program with administrator privileges.

  • You need to provide the cloud computer username and password during remote troubleshooting.

Key information

EDS Personal Edition does not have a default admin password. The first time you need administrator privileges inside the cloud computer, create the password by using the method for your operating system.

Set the admin password on a Windows cloud computer

Method 1: Use Computer Management (recommended)

  1. On the cloud computer desktop, right-click Start in the lower-left corner and select Computer Management. If you cannot find this option, press Win+R, enter compmgmt.msc, and then press Enter.

  2. In the left-side navigation pane, expand System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users.

  3. In the user list, right-click admin and select Set Password.

  4. In the warning dialog box, click Continue.

  5. Enter and confirm the new password, and then click OK.

  6. Close the Computer Management window.

Method 2: Use the command line

  1. On the cloud computer desktop, press Win+R, enter cmd, and then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run Command Prompt as an administrator.

  2. Run the following command. Replace <your-password> with the password that you want to set:

    net user admin <your-password>

    If the The command completed successfully. message appears, the password is set.

Set the admin password on an Ubuntu or Linux cloud computer

Procedure

  1. Open Terminal on the cloud computer desktop.

  2. Run the following command to switch to the root user:

    sudo su

  3. Run the following command to set the password for the admin user:

    passwd admin

  4. Enter the new password twice when prompted. The characters are not displayed as you type. If passwd: password updated successfully appears, the password is set.

Example

admin@xxx:~$ sudo su
root@xxx:/home/admin# passwd admin
New password:
Retype new password:
passwd: password updated successfully

Additional information

  • Ubuntu does not set a root password by default. Use sudo su to obtain root privileges before you set the admin password.

  • The password requested while you install software is usually the password of the currently signed-in admin user.

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