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Guides, software compatibility, version comparisons, and PowerShell references for Windows Server hosting.

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Deploy your first Windows Server

Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 from $9.99/mo — 6-month evaluation licence included.

Featured guides by topic

Curated reads in each area, with a link to the full catalogue.

Getting started

6 min read

Connect to a Windows VPS via RDP (Windows, macOS, Linux, Mobile)

Step-by-step RDP connection from Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android to a Raff Windows Server 2025 VPS, plus the five errors that block first logins.

Run your software

18 min read

How to Host ASP.NET Core 10 on IIS — Windows Server Guide (2026)

Step-by-step guide to hosting ASP.NET Core 10 apps on IIS on a Windows Server VPS. Covers IIS install, .NET 10 Hosting Bundle, app pool config, deployment, and common errors. Tested end-to-end on Raff.

19 min read

Install SQL Server 2025 on a Windows Server VPS (Standard Developer, 2026 Guide)

End-to-end install guide for SQL Server 2025 Standard Developer on a Windows Server VPS. Covers winget setup, Custom wizard, tempdb, firewall, and post-install CU application.

14 min read

Self-Host QuickBooks Desktop Multi-User on a Windows Server VPS (2026 Guide)

How to install QuickBooks Desktop in multi-user mode on a Raff Windows Server VPS. Covers QBDSM setup, dynamic ports, firewall, Windows users, RDS CALs, and what Intuit's docs don't emphasize — based on real end-to-end testing on Raff infrastructure.

Licensing

9 min read

Windows Server Licensing on Raff: Evaluation, SPLA, and BYOL Explained

Three license paths for Windows Server on a Raff Cloud Server: the 180-day evaluation, SPLA monthly via Raff, or BYOL with Software Assurance. Plus RDS CALs, M365 Apps SCA, and per-core minimums — cited to Microsoft Learn.

11 min read

RDS CAL Licensing on Windows Server: Per-User vs Per-Device, BYOL vs SPLA

2 admin RDP sessions are free; multi-user RDP needs an RDS CAL per user or device. How to pick per-user vs per-device, and when to use BYOL vs SPLA in 2026.

Security & networking

23 min read

SQL Server 2025 Security Hardening on a Windows Server VPS (2026 MSP Guide)

Step-by-step SQL Server 2025 hardening on a Windows Server VPS: disable sa, least-privilege app logins, SQL Server Audit, TCP/IP enable, firewall scoping, and Let's Encrypt cert replacement. End-to-end MSP guide tested on Raff.

Comparisons

9 min read

Windows Server 2019 vs 2022 vs 2025: Which Version to Choose in 2026

Server 2022 mainstream support ends October 2026, so Server 2025 is the better choice for new deployments. The exceptions — when 2022 or even 2019 still win.

Software compatibility

Tested and recommended sizing for common business software.

Software	Vendor	Category	Min vCPU	Min RAM	Status
QuickBooks Desktop 2024	Intuit	accounting	2 vCPU	4 GB	Verified	Learn more
Sage 100 ERP	Sage	accounting	4 vCPU	8 GB	Should work
Sage 300 (Accpac)	Sage	accounting	4 vCPU	8 GB	Should work
Sage 50	Sage	accounting	2 vCPU	4 GB	Should work
Tally Prime	Tally Solutions	accounting	2 vCPU	4 GB	Should work
Microsoft Dynamics GP	Microsoft	crm erp	4 vCPU	8 GB	Should work
SAP Business One (SQL)	SAP	crm erp	4 vCPU	16 GB	Should work
Microsoft SQL Server 2022	Microsoft	database	4 vCPU	8 GB	Verified	Learn more
Microsoft SQL Server 2025	Microsoft	database	4 vCPU	8 GB	Verified	Learn more
PostgreSQL 16	PostgreSQL Global Development Group	database	2 vCPU	4 GB	Should work
Git for Windows	Git for Windows project	development	1 vCPU	1 GB	Verified
.NET 10 SDK	Microsoft	development	2 vCPU	4 GB	Verified	Learn more
Visual Studio 2022	Microsoft	development	4 vCPU	8 GB	Should work
IIS (Internet Information Services)	Microsoft	infrastructure	1 vCPU	2 GB	Verified	Learn more
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise	Microsoft	office	2 vCPU	4 GB	Verified
MetaTrader 4	MetaQuotes	trading	1 vCPU	2 GB	Verified
MetaTrader 5	MetaQuotes	trading	1 vCPU	2 GB	Verified
NinjaTrader 8	NinjaTrader Group	trading	2 vCPU	4 GB	Should work

Windows Server version comparison

Pick the right version for stability, security, or legacy software. Dates verified against Microsoft Lifecycle.

Recommended

Feature	Windows Server 2025	Windows Server 2022	Windows Server 2019
Release & support
Released	November 2024	August 2021	November 2018
Mainstream support ends	November 13, 2029	October 13, 2026	Ended Jan 9, 2024
Extended support ends	November 14, 2034	October 14, 2031	January 9, 2029
Status	Recommended	Most popular	Legacy
Security defaults
TLS 1.3 (LDAP)
Kerberos RC4 TGT blocked
SMB authentication rate limiter
SMB over QUIC	Standard + Datacenter	Datacenter Azure Edition only
Hotpatching
Hotpatch eligibility	Azure / Azure Arc subscription	Datacenter Azure Edition Core only
Runtime defaults
.NET Framework	4.8.1	4.8	4.7.2
PowerShell	5.1	5.1	5.1
Microsoft 365 Apps support			Ended Oct 2025
Recommendation
Recommended for	New deployments in 2026 — longest support runway, modern security defaults	Production workloads with certified vendor compatibility (QuickBooks, Sage, MetaQuotes)	Legacy LOB software with hard 2019 dependency only
Avoid if	Your software vendor has not certified 2025 yet	Starting fresh mid-2026 or later — short mainstream window	Starting fresh — 5-year shorter support vs 2025

Sources: Microsoft Lifecycle 2025 · 2022 · 2019 · full comparison article →

PowerShell command library

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Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Windows Server hosting on Raff.

What happens after the 6-month evaluation license ends?

At month 5 we reach out to discuss permanent licensing. You can bring your own Windows Server license (BYOL) if you have one with License Mobility, or activate one through our Microsoft SPLA program — typically $20–40/month per VM depending on edition. Your server keeps running; only the licensing model changes.

Can I bring my own Windows license (BYOL)?

Yes. If you have a Windows Server license with Microsoft Software Assurance and License Mobility rights, you can apply it to your Raff VPS. We help with the License Mobility verification form during onboarding so your existing investment carries over.

How does RDS CAL licensing work for multi-user access?

Default Windows allows only 2 concurrent administrative RDP sessions. For real multi-user access (RDS Session Host), each user or device needs an RDS Client Access License — purchasable from Microsoft or through our SPLA program. Our team helps configure the RDS role and CALs as part of onboarding.

What’s the realistic RAM recommendation for QuickBooks, MSSQL, or MetaTrader?

QuickBooks multi-user: plan ~2–4 GB per concurrent user plus Windows Server overhead. MSSQL Standard production: 1.5–2× your active dataset size in RAM. MetaTrader: 1–2 GB per running EA instance. Each use-case panel above lists plan recommendations matched to typical workloads.

Can I run QuickBooks Desktop on a Windows VPS?

Yes. QuickBooks Pro, Premier, and Enterprise (2022–2024) all run on our Windows VPS. Multiple users can access the same company files simultaneously via RDP. We handle the server setup — you install QuickBooks with your existing license.

Do you support Active Directory domain joins?

Yes. You have full administrator access — promote any plan to a domain controller, join servers to an existing domain, configure Group Policy, manage users and computers. We help architect domain controller redundancy across multiple Raff servers if you need it.

Can I use Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365?

Yes. Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (the desktop versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) install and activate on Windows Server with Shared Computer Activation enabled. Office 2021/2024 perpetual licenses also work. Our team helps configure shared activation for RDS environments.

Which Windows Server version should I choose?

For most users, Windows Server 2022 offers the best balance of stability and broad software compatibility. Choose 2025 for the latest security features (TLS 1.3, hotpatching, AD hardening), or 2019 if you have legacy software that requires it.

Browse all FAQs

Authors & engineers

The team writing and maintaining these docs.

Batuhan Esirger

Co-Founder & Business Lead

Co-founder of Raff Technologies. Drives business direction and shapes how cloud technologies serve real business needs. Leads product decisions that turn infrastructure into tools teams actually use.

Serdar Tekin

Co-Founder & Head of Infrastructure

Co-founder of Raff Technologies. Runs the cloud operations platform — from storage cluster scaling and network architecture to new product development. Builds infrastructure on hardware we own.expertise

Aybars Altınyay

Platform Engineer & Technical Writer

Aybars is a Platform Engineer & Technical Writer at Raff Technologies. He works on Linux VM templates, self-hosted application workflows, and security-focused deployment validation, turning tested infrastructure procedures into clear, practical tutorials for developers and teams.

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