SPLA, BYOL, RDS CALs, M365 Shared Computer Activation. What to buy, how to activate, how to stay compliant.
Licensing is the part of Windows hosting people most often get wrong, and the mistakes are expensive. The good news: on a VPS there are only a few paths (evaluation, SPLA monthly, or BYOL), and once you understand them the right choice is usually obvious. These guides cover how Windows Server, Remote Desktop (RDS CALs), and Microsoft 365 licensing actually work when you're renting a server.
Work through them in order, or jump straight to what you need.
Understand Windows Server licensing on Raff: 180-day evaluation, Raff-provided SPLA licensing, customer BYOL under Microsoft outsourcing rights, RDS licensing, core minimums, and Microsoft 365 Apps.
Learn how to install Microsoft 365 Apps on a Windows VPS for multiple RDS users using Shared Computer Activation, eligible Microsoft 365 licensing, ODT configuration, and activation troubleshooting.
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.
Deploy your first Windows Server, connect over RDP, and get the basics set up: plans, versions, users, and first-day configuration.
BrowseSet up and scale remote desktop (RDP, multi-user RDS, RemoteApp), plus how Windows Server and RDS CAL licensing actually works on a VPS.
BrowseRun a domain on your VPS: domain controllers, users and groups, Group Policy, and DNS.
BrowseInstall, tune, secure, and back up SQL Server on Windows: editions, sizing, TempDB, and memory tuning.
BrowseGenuine, fully-licensed Windows with full admin and RDP. We handle the Microsoft licensing, billed monthly with nothing upfront. On NVMe SSD, backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee.