Windows VPS
Windows VPS server with RDP access
A Windows VPS server from VPSRely gives you a Windows Server desktop you reach from anywhere over Remote Desktop (RDP), with full administrator access, NVMe storage and dedicated RAM. Plans run from $9.99 to $799.99 a month, billed monthly with no setup fee and no contract.
What is a Windows VPS server?
The short version, before the detail.
A Windows VPS server is a virtual machine that runs Windows Server on a reserved share of a physical machine. You get your own CPU, RAM, storage and IP address, and you log in as administrator, so you can install any Windows software your licence allows.
You connect over Remote Desktop, the same way you would connect to an office server. VPSRely sells Windows VPS hosting on NVMe storage and dedicated RAM, from $9.99 to $799.99 a month, with no setup fee or contract. The server is unmanaged, so you look after Windows, its updates and your software.
People use a Windows VPS when their software only runs on Windows, when they want a desktop that stays online all day, or when they need a server in a particular country. It is a real Windows machine, not a remote browser tab.
Windows VPS plans and prices
Eight sizes. Same price on renewal.
| Plan | vCPU | RAM | Storage | Per month | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
StarterSmall sites and test servers | 1 | 1 GB | 25 GB NVMe | $9.99 | Choose Starter |
BasicWebsites and small apps | 1 | 2 GB | 55 GB NVMe | $14.99 | Choose Basic |
Recommended StandardApps with a database | 2 | 4 GB | 80 GB NVMe | $24.99 | Choose Standard → |
BusinessBusy sites and databases | 4 | 8 GB | 160 GB NVMe | $49.99 | Choose Business |
ProLarge applications | 4 | 16 GB | 320 GB NVMe | $99.99 | Choose Pro |
AdvancedMulti-app environments | 8 | 32 GB | 640 GB NVMe | $199.99 | Choose Advanced |
PremiumLarge business workloads | 16 | 64 GB | 1280 GB NVMe | $399.99 | Choose Premium |
UltimateMission-critical workloads | 24 | 96 GB | 1600 GB NVMe | $799.99 | Choose Ultimate |
Prices in USD. No setup fee, cancel anytime.
Plans scale from 1 core and 1 GB of RAM to 24 cores and 96 GB. Windows itself uses more memory than Linux, so the smallest plan suits a light task, and Standard is the comfortable starting size for a desktop with real software on it.
Every plan has one dedicated IP, a 1 Gb LAN port and high-bandwidth connectivity. Backups and snapshots are not included, so the backup section below shows how to protect your data. You can compare every size on the pricing page.
What every Windows VPS includes
The specification does not change between plans.
- Windows Server installed and ready to log in to
- Full administrator access over Remote Desktop
- NVMe storage, so installers, databases and search indexes run quickly
- RAM reserved for your server, from 1 GB up to 96 GB
- One dedicated IPv4 address for allow lists and firewall rules
- A 1 Gb LAN port and high-bandwidth connectivity
- Monthly billing with no setup fee, no contract and the same price on renewal
- Your choice of 47 locations on six continents
There are no automatic backups and no managed services. You decide what is installed, and you keep it updated.
Desktop Experience or Server Core
One choice decides whether you get a desktop.
| Feature | Desktop Experience | Server Core |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Full Windows desktop over RDP | Command line and PowerShell only |
| Memory use | Higher | Lower |
| Runs desktop apps | Yes | No |
| Best for | Remote desktops, trading tools, desktop software | IIS, SQL Server and other services you manage with scripts |
If you want to log in and see a desktop, install Desktop Experience. Almost every Windows VPS user does. Server Core removes the graphical shell to save memory and reduce the attack surface, and you manage it with PowerShell, so choose it only if you are comfortable without a desktop.
Newer Windows Server versions receive security updates for longer. Pick the newest version your software supports, and check Microsoft's lifecycle page for the support dates of the version you choose.
How Remote Desktop (RDP) works on a Windows VPS
RDP is how you reach the server.
Remote Desktop Protocol, or RDP, shows the server's desktop on your computer and sends your keyboard and mouse back. The server listens on TCP port 3389 by default.
On Windows, open the built-in mstsc app, enter the server IP address and log in as administrator. On a Mac, iPhone or Android phone, use the free Microsoft Remote Desktop app, and on Linux use a client such as Remmina.
Windows Server allows two concurrent administrator sessions by default. If several people need their own desktops, install the Remote Desktop Session Host role and buy Remote Desktop Services client access licences for them. That is a Microsoft licensing rule, not a limit of the server.
How to secure RDP on a Windows VPS
A public RDP port gets scanned within hours.
Remote Desktop is a common target for password guessing. These eight steps make it much harder to attack.
- Replace the first administrator password with a long, unique one from a password manager.
- Create a new administrator account with a different name and disable the default Administrator account.
- Keep Network Level Authentication on, which is the default on current Windows Server.
- Limit RDP to your own IP addresses in Windows Defender Firewall.
- Set an account lockout policy so repeated bad passwords lock the account for a while.
- Run Windows Update and restart on a schedule you control.
- Add multi-factor authentication through a third-party tool or put RDP behind a VPN.
- Check the Security event log for failed logons and unfamiliar sign-ins.
Changing the RDP port hides it from the laziest scans, but it is not a substitute for the steps above. Address allow lists and strong authentication do the real work.
What you can run on a Windows VPS
Anything that needs Windows and fits the resources.
- Trading software and bots that must run all day, such as MetaTrader terminals (this is not financial advice, and you remain responsible for what you run)
- .NET and ASP.NET applications on IIS, with a database on the same server
- SQL Server Express for small databases, which limits each database to 10 GB
- Windows-only business software such as accounting, ERP and point-of-sale tools
- A remote office desktop that you reach from a laptop, tablet or phone
- Automation tools, schedulers and testing environments for Windows software
- Game servers that only ship a Windows server package
The acceptable use policy lists what is not allowed, such as spam, attacks and illegal content.
How much RAM does a Windows VPS need?
Windows needs more memory than Linux.
| What you run | Plan | CPU / RAM | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light task, one small tool | Starter | 1 core / 1 GB | $9.99 |
| Desktop for one person with a few apps | Basic | 1 core / 2 GB | $14.99 |
| Desktop, browser and a trading terminal | Standard | 2 cores / 4 GB | $24.99 |
| IIS application with SQL Server Express | Business | 4 cores / 8 GB | $49.99 |
| Several desktops or heavy software | Pro | 4 cores / 16 GB | $99.99 |
Windows Server alone uses a large share of a small plan's memory, so leave room for your applications. Open Task Manager and Resource Monitor during your busiest hour, and add about a third as headroom.
Running IIS, .NET and SQL Server Express
The standard Microsoft web stack, on one server.
Install IIS from Server Manager by adding the Web Server role, then deploy your ASP.NET site and give it its own application pool. Separate pools stop one failing site from taking the others down.
SQL Server Express is free and suits small applications, but it has hard limits. It caps each database at 10 GB, limits the database engine to roughly 1.4 GB of memory, and uses the lesser of one socket or four cores. If you reach those limits, move to a paid edition or to PostgreSQL.
Keep the database on the same VPS only while the application is small. Past that, give the database its own server so the two do not compete for memory.
How to keep a Windows VPS fast
Small habits that save memory.
Remove startup programs you do not need, since each one takes memory on every boot. Keep the desktop plain, because wallpapers and animations cost RAM you could give to your software.
Watch the page file and the disk. Windows uses the page file when memory runs short, and a nearly full drive slows updates and installers. Leave at least 15 percent of the system drive free.
Schedule restarts for after updates, at a quiet hour, so the server does not restart in the middle of your work. Check Task Manager and Resource Monitor when something feels slow, and upgrade the plan if memory is consistently full.
How to back up a Windows VPS
Backups are not included, so plan your own.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two kinds of storage, with one copy off the server. A backup stored only on the same virtual disk is not a backup.
Windows Server Backup is a built-in feature that can back up files and the system state. For files, robocopy copies folders reliably, and rclone or restic send encrypted copies to another server or to object storage. For SQL Server, schedule database backups and copy the backup files away.
Restore to a test folder or a test server once a month. A backup you have never restored is a guess.
Windows VPS vs Linux VPS
Choose by the software you need.
| Feature | Windows VPS | Linux VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Remote Desktop with a full desktop | SSH and the command line |
| Memory use | Higher | Lower |
| Best software | Windows-only apps, .NET, SQL Server | Web stacks, containers, open-source tools |
| Learning curve | Familiar to Windows users | Needs command line skills |
If your software runs on both, Linux is usually cheaper to run because it needs less memory for the same job. If it only runs on Windows, there is no choice to make. You can read more in the Linux VPS hosting guide.
Windows VPS locations
Pick the one closest to your users.
A remote desktop feels faster the closer the server is to you, so pick a location near the people who will use it. For North America, start with the USA VPS. For Europe, the Germany VPS, Netherlands VPS and UK VPS are the usual choices.
For the Gulf, the UAE VPS serves the region. For Asia and the Pacific, look at the Singapore VPS, the India VPS and the Australia VPS. All 47 countries are listed on the VPS server locations page.
Common Windows VPS problems and fixes
Most issues have a short, boring cause.
- You cannot connect over RDP: check that the server is running, that your own IP is allowed in Windows Defender Firewall, and that you are using the right address and account.
- The screen is black after you log in: disconnect, reconnect, and if it persists restart the server from the control panel.
- Typing and the mouse feel slow: you are probably far from the server, so choose a location closer to you, and lower the colour depth in the RDP client.
- Memory is always full: open Task Manager, find the largest process, and move to a larger plan if it is software you need.
- Updates seem stuck: leave the server for a while, since large updates can take a long time on a small plan, then restart and check again.
If none of that helps, contact support with the server name and what you changed last.
When a Windows VPS is the wrong choice
Honest advice, before you spend.
Skip it if your software also runs on Linux and you are comfortable with the command line, because a Linux VPS costs less to run. Skip it if you want someone else to run the server, since this service is unmanaged.
And check the software vendor's licence before you install anything. Some products restrict use on hosted or virtual servers, and that is your responsibility to confirm.
What to check before you buy a Windows VPS
Eight questions for any provider.
- Are the CPU and RAM reserved, or can neighbours take them?
- Is the storage NVMe, and how much do you get?
- What is the renewal price, not only the first month?
- Is the Windows Server licence covered, and which version do you get?
- Are backups included, or do you provide your own?
- Is the location close to the people who will connect?
- Can you reinstall the operating system yourself?
- What is the refund policy if it does not suit you?
Our answers are on this page, in the refund policy and in the service level agreement. If something is unclear, contact support before you order.
Windows VPS FAQ
What is a Windows VPS server?
A Windows VPS server is a virtual machine that runs Windows Server on a reserved share of a physical machine. You log in over Remote Desktop as administrator and install any Windows software your licence allows.
How much does a Windows VPS cost?
Windows VPS plans at VPSRely start at $9.99 per month and go up to $799.99 per month. There is no setup fee, you pay monthly and the price stays the same on renewal.
How do I connect to a Windows VPS with RDP?
Open Remote Desktop Connection on Windows, or the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Mac and mobile. Enter the server IP address and log in as administrator with the details we email you.
Is the Windows Server licence included?
Windows Server is installed on the server for you. Email support@vpsrely.com before you order if you need the licence terms for your plan in writing.
Can several people use one Windows VPS at the same time?
Windows Server allows two concurrent administrator sessions by default. More users need the Remote Desktop Session Host role and Remote Desktop Services client access licences.
Can I run trading software on a Windows VPS?
Yes. Many traders use a Windows VPS to keep platforms and bots running all day. You are responsible for the software, your strategy and the rules of your broker.
Are backups included with a Windows VPS?
No. Backups and snapshots are not included, so copy your data off the server on a schedule and test a restore.
Can I upgrade my Windows VPS later?
Yes. Move to a larger plan from the control panel when you need more CPU, RAM or storage. Check the plan page for details on timing.