---
title: Authenticating using PingID desktop app
description: Use PingID desktop app to generate a one-time passcode (OTP) that you can use to authenticate securely to access your account, app, VPN, or Windows login machine through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_ug_auth_using_desktop_intro
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_ug_auth_using_desktop_intro.html
revdate: June 23, 2024
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  authenticating-using-the-pingid-desktop-app-web: Authenticating using the PingID desktop app (Web)
  before-you-begin-2: Before you begin
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  result-3: Result:
  result-4: Result:
  authenticating-using-the-desktop-app-vpn: Authenticating using the desktop app (VPN)
  about-this-task-2: About this task
  steps-2: Steps
  result-5: Result:
  result-6: Result:
  result-7: Result:
  authenticating-using-the-desktop-app-windows-login: Authenticating using the desktop app (Windows login)
  about-this-task-3: About this task
  steps-3: Steps
  result-8: Result:
  result-9: Result:
  result-10: Result:
---

# Authenticating using PingID desktop app

Use PingID desktop app to generate a one-time passcode (OTP) *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
\<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
\</div>)* that you can use to authenticate securely to access your account, app, VPN, or Windows login machine through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

## Before you begin

* Download PingID desktop app and then pair your device with your account to enable authentication (see [Using PingID desktop app authentication](ug_pid_desktop_app_web.html)).

## About this task

If your organization allows it, you can authenticate PingID desktop app to access your account using a web browser, to access your company's VPN, or to access a Windows login machine using RDP.

* Web

* VPN

* Windows login using RDP

## Authenticating using the PingID desktop app (Web)

Authenticate using the PingID desktop app.

### Before you begin

You must pair the PingID desktop app with your account. For more information, see:

* [Pairing your PingID desktop app](ug_pid_pairing_pid_desktop_app.html)

### Steps

1. Sign on to your account or access an application that requires authentication.

   ![A screen capture of the PingID Sign On window.](_images/kex1564021309920.png)

   #### Result:

   The **Authentication** window opens, prompting you to enter a OTP *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
   \<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
   \</div>)*.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window with the prompt requesting you to enter an OTP.](_images/lcz1633959431764.png)

2. In the **Authentication** window, enter the OTP that displays in your PingID desktop app. Click **Sign On** to launch the PingID desktop app.

   #### Result:

   If more than one profile exists on PingID desktop app, all profiles are displayed. If your organization requires you to enter a PIN code, the **Locked** window displays, prompting you to enter a PIN.

3. If the PingID desktop app has more than one profile, select your profile, otherwise skip this step. ![A screen capture of the Profiles page, listing all profiles for this instance of PingID desktop app and a prompt to select a profile.](_images/desktopApp1_8_profile.png)

4. If the **Locked** window displays and you are prompted to enter a PIN code, enter the PIN code and then click **Next**, otherwise skip this step.

   ![A screen capture of the Locked window with the request to enter your PIN in the Enter PIN field to unlock PingID.](_images/desktopApp1_8_locked.png)

   #### Result:

   The PingID desktop app displays an OTP.

5. Click **Copy** to copy the OTP and paste it into the **Authentication** window.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                          |
   | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | Ensure the browser window is the active window when pasting the OTP. You can only use an OTP once. Click **Refresh** to generate a new OTP, if required. |

   ![A screen capture of an OTP display with the option to Refresh and Copy.](_images/desktopApp1_8_otp.png)

6. Click **Sign On**.

   #### Result:

   The green **Authenticated** message with a checkmark appears, indicating your authentication is successful, and your access is approved.

## Authenticating using the desktop app (VPN)

After you setup the PingID desktop app authentication for web, use the desktop app to generate a OTP *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
\<p>A passcode valid for only one sign-on or transaction on a computer system or other digital device. Also known as a one-time password, one-time PIN, or dynamic password.\</p>
\</div>)* to use to authenticate with a VPN.

### About this task

Use the PingID desktop app to authenticate for web with a VPN.

### Steps

1. From your web browser or application sign on to your VPN:

   1. Enter your username and password.

   2. Click **Sign In**.

      #### Result:

   For multiple devices only: a message displays all of your devices in a numbered list.

   1. Enter the number for the PingID desktop app and then click **Sign In**.

2. Launch the PingID desktop app.

   #### Result:

   A passcode generates.

   ![A screen capture of a one-time password generated by the PingID desktop app.](_images/rxg1564021170455.png)

3. In the blank field, enter the OTP and then click **Sign In**.

   #### Result:

   After you successfully authenticate, your browser is redirected to your VPN.

## Authenticating using the desktop app (Windows login)

Authenticate using the PingID desktop app to access a Windows machine that requires PingID multi-factor authentication (MFA) *(tooltip: \<div class="paragraph">
\<p>An electronic authentication method where a user is granted access only after presenting two or more verification factors for authentication.\</p>
\</div>)*.

### About this task

|   |                                                                                                                                            |
| - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|   | To authenticate for your Windows machine, set up the PingID desktop app on a different machine from the Windows machine you are accessing. |

### Steps

1. Sign on to your Windows machine either locally or remotely using an RDP.

   ![A screen capture of the Windows sign-on page.](_images/une1564021179418.png)

   #### Result:

   The **Authentication** window appears, prompting you to enter a passcode.

   ![A screen capture of the Authentication window requesting the passcode.](_images/ldi1564021187455.png)

2. Launch the PingID desktop app from a local machine.

   ![A screen capture of the PingID generated passcode with the Copy or Refresh option.](_images/rxg1564021170455.png)

   #### Result:

   The PingID app generates a passcode.

3. On the Windows machine, in the **Authentication** window, enter the passcode. Click **Sign On**.

   #### Result:

   The green check mark appears, indicating successful authentication. You are signed on to your Windows machine.

   ![A screen capture of the Windows sign on home desktop page.](_images/zoq1564021183904.png)