A Windows VPS gives you a private Windows server in the cloud that you access over Remote Desktop (RDP) — your own Windows desktop running 24/7, reachable from anywhere. Here's what it's for and how to get started.
What you actually get
A virtual machine running Windows Server, with dedicated CPU, RAM and SSD storage, full administrator access, and a dedicated IP. You connect using the Remote Desktop client built into Windows (or Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac).
Legitimate use cases
- Running Windows-only software that needs to be online around the clock.
- Development and testing from a clean, consistent environment.
- Remote work — a persistent desktop you can reach from any device.
- Automation and scheduled tasks that shouldn't depend on your home PC being on.
- Multi-region testing — check how your site or app behaves from US, UK or NL.
Connecting for the first time
- Order a plan and receive your IP, username and password by email.
- Open Remote Desktop Connection and enter the IP.
- Log in with your credentials — you're on your server.
Securing it (do this first)
Important: a server on the public internet will be probed within minutes. Secure it on day one.
- Change the default administrator password to something long and unique.
- Consider changing the default RDP port and restricting access by IP where possible.
- Enable the Windows firewall and keep the OS updated.
- Use Network Level Authentication.
Our Windows VPS / RDP plans come with full admin access and a choice of US, UK and NL locations, starting at $16.99. If you'd rather run Linux, compare with our Linux VPS and read Linux vs Windows VPS.