Move to Raff without downtime: migrate from other clouds, upgrade Windows Server versions, and bring apps and data across.
Migrations happen for two reasons: a Windows Server version reaches end of life, or an office server runs out of headroom. Either way, the move itself is the risky part, not the destination. These guides cover the end-of-life dates and upgrade paths for every version, plus the practical migrations that follow: Active Directory, file shares, and SQL Server, with checklists that keep the cutover boring.
Work through them in order, or jump straight to what you need.
Move from Windows Server 2016 before support ends. Plan a side-by-side migration to Windows Server 2025 on Raff for AD, files, SQL, apps, and cutover.
Windows Server 2016 support ends January 12, 2027. What the deadline means in practice, what Extended Security Updates really cost, and your three exit options.
Every Windows Server end-of-life date in one table: 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, plus what mainstream vs extended support really means and when to act.
See the warning signs that your small business has outgrown its office server and learn when a Windows VPS, local refresh, SaaS, or hybrid setup makes sense.
Plan a local office server to cloud Windows VPS migration for small businesses, including apps, files, users, RDP/RDS, backups, testing, cutover, and rollback.
Plan a SQL Server migration to Windows VPS, including backup/restore, recovery model, logins, SQL Agent jobs, connection strings, app testing, cutover, and rollback.
Plan a file server migration to Windows VPS, including shared folders, SMB access, NTFS permissions, mapped drives, backups, testing, cutover, and rollback.
Use this Windows Server migration checklist to plan apps, files, users, RDP/RDS, SQL Server, Active Directory, backups, testing, cutover, and rollback. Category: migration
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.
BrowseSPLA, BYOL, RDS CALs, M365 Shared Computer Activation. What to buy, how to activate, how to stay compliant.
BrowseRun a domain on your VPS: domain controllers, users and groups, Group Policy, and DNS.
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.