A Windows VPS is a virtual server with Windows Server preinstalled, accessed over RDP instead of an SSH console. Some software runs only on Windows: a 1C server, specific .NET applications, old desktop programs that are easier to run on a server than to port to Linux. This article covers when such a server is actually needed and when Linux solves the same task cheaper and more simply.
How a Windows VPS differs from a Linux VPS
The main difference is the connection method and the administration interface. On a Linux VPS, the administrator works over SSH and the command line; on a Windows VPS, over RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) and a graphical desktop similar to an ordinary Windows computer. This lowers the entry barrier for those unused to a terminal, but requires more resources for the interface itself.
The second difference is licensing. The Windows Server operating system requires a license, and that license is either included in the price of the provider's Windows VPS plan or bought separately. Linux is simpler here: most distributions are free, with no licensing fees.
When a Windows VPS is actually needed
There are specific scenarios where there is effectively no alternative to Windows, or switching to Linux would cost more than the server itself:
- Running a 1C server or other software that is officially supported only on Windows.
- Running .NET Framework applications that have not been ported to .NET Core and do not run on Linux.
- Old desktop programs with no alternatives and no source code to port.
- A test bench for developing Windows applications or ASP.NET sites before deploying to production.
- A remote desktop for a staff member who needs the familiar Windows interface rather than a console.
When a Windows VPS is overkill
For most web sites — on WordPress, Laravel, Node.js, and even PHP applications historically developed for Windows — a Linux VPS solves the task faster and without licensing restrictions. The web server, database, and runtime on Linux usually need less RAM at startup than the same stack on Windows, where a noticeable share of resources goes to the operating system and the graphical subsystem itself.
If SSH access to a Windows machine is needed for scripts or automation, it is not necessary to choose a Windows VPS from scratch — an SSH server can be set up directly on Windows, as described in the article on an SSH server on Windows.
Access, licensing, and the first connection
Connecting to a Windows VPS is done with the remote desktop client built into Windows, or with cross-platform RDP clients for macOS and Linux. The default port is 3389, and right after the first login the automatically assigned administrator password should be changed.
# Connecting to a Windows VPS over RDP from Linux via xfreerdp
xfreerdp /v:server-ip:3389 /u:Administrator /p:'password' /dynamic-resolutionIf the Windows VPS is deployed not as a separate physical machine but as a virtual machine in Proxmox, normal disk and network speed requires VirtIO drivers — their installation and fine-tuning are described in the article on a Windows VM in Proxmox.
How many resources to budget and how to choose a location
The minimum comfortable amount of memory for Windows Server without heavy services is usually from 2 to 4 GB, and that covers only the system itself and the RDP session; a DBMS, a 1C server, or several parallel user sessions need a separate reserve on top of that. The disk is better taken as SSD: Windows takes longer than Linux to boot and update on slow HDDs.
| Parameter | Windows VPS | Linux VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | RDP, port 3389 | SSH, port 22 |
| Minimum RAM to start | from 2 GB | from 1 GB |
| OS license | paid, included in the plan or separate | free for most distributions |
| Typical scenario | 1C, .NET, legacy software | web sites, APIs, containers |
Latency to the server is especially noticeable in an RDP session — the graphical interface reacts to every click, and high ping turns the work into an inconvenience. If the audience or staff are concentrated in one region, it is worth choosing a server location closer to them, covered in the article on choosing a server location.
Frequently asked questions
Can Linux software be installed on a Windows VPS?
Some Linux tools run on Windows through WSL (the Windows Subsystem for Linux) or through cross-platform versions, but this is not a replacement for a full Linux server: some packages are unavailable, and file system performance inside WSL is lower than on native Linux.
How many CPU cores are needed for a Windows VPS?
For a basic installation with one or two services, 2 cores are enough; as the number of simultaneous RDP sessions or heavy background tasks grows, more should be budgeted — the exact number depends on the specific software, and its vendor usually publishes its own minimum requirements.
What to do if RDP will not connect?
First check that port 3389 is open in the server firewall and in the network the connection comes from, then that the remote desktop service is running and the limit of simultaneous sessions is not exceeded. If access was provided by a hosting company, it is worth asking support whether the port is blocked at the network level.