> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://flashrdp.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Windows Server 2022 vs 2025 on a VPS: Which to Choose

> Compare Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 on a Windows VPS: Microsoft support dates, RAM and CPU requirements, desktop and security changes, and which to pick.

**For a new Windows VPS, choose Windows Server 2025: it has Microsoft support until November 2034, while Windows Server 2022 reaches the end of mainstream support on October 13, 2026 and gets security updates only until October 2031.** Pick 2022 or 2019 only when software you need is certified for that version and not yet for 2025.

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## Support dates

Microsoft's Fixed Lifecycle Policy gives each version mainstream support (security updates plus new features and fixes) and then extended support (security updates only).

| Version | Released | Mainstream support ends | Extended support ends |
| - | - | - | - |
| Windows Server 2019 | November 13, 2018 | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 |
| Windows Server 2022 | August 18, 2021 | October 13, 2026 | October 14, 2031 |
| Windows Server 2025 | November 1, 2024 | November 13, 2029 | November 14, 2034 |

Dates are the last day of support in US Pacific time, from Microsoft's lifecycle pages for [2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2019), [2022](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022) and [2025](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2025). After extended support ends, a version gets no more security updates, so don't run it on a server that faces the internet.

## Requirements on a VPS

From Microsoft's [hardware requirements](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/hardware-requirements):

| | Windows Server 2022 | Windows Server 2025 |
| - | - | - |
| RAM, Desktop Experience | 2 GB minimum | 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended |
| RAM, Server Core | 1 GB minimum | 2 GB minimum |
| CPU | 1.4 GHz 64-bit with NX, DEP and SLAT | The same, plus SSE4.2 and POPCNT |
| Disk | 32 GB minimum | 32 GB minimum |

Every FlashRDP plan meets the Windows Server 2025 recommendation: the smallest plan, **BRONZE**, has 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM and 50 GB SSD storage, and the host CPUs support SSE4.2 and POPCNT. FlashRDP installs the Desktop Experience, the version with the full graphical desktop you use over Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

## What changes in Windows Server 2025

From Microsoft's [What's new in Windows Server 2025](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-windows-server-2025), the changes you notice on a Windows VPS:

* **Desktop:** the desktop shell and Task Manager follow the Windows 11 style.
* **Built-in tools:** WinGet (the Windows Package Manager) and the OpenSSH server are installed by default, so you can install apps with `winget install` and enable SSH without adding features first.
* **Security defaults:** SMB signing is required by default for all outbound SMB connections. Older file servers or NAS devices that can't sign may stop accepting connections from a 2025 server.
* **SMB over QUIC:** now included in Standard and Datacenter editions, not just Azure Edition.
* **Hotpatch:** installs security updates without a restart, but only on servers connected to Microsoft Azure Arc with Hotpatch enabled. A standard Windows VPS installs updates and restarts as before.

## Which version to choose

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Choose Windows Server 2025 if..." icon="circle-check">
    You're starting fresh, your apps run on Windows 10 or 11, or you want the longest support. This covers most trading platforms, browser automation, SEO tools and remote desktops.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Choose Windows Server 2022 if..." icon="clock">
    An app or vendor you depend on supports 2022 but not yet 2025. It keeps receiving security updates until October 2031, but no new features after October 13, 2026.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Choose Windows Server 2019 if..." icon="history">
    Old software needs it specifically. It has been in extended support since January 2024 and loses security updates in January 2029, so plan to move off it.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Licensing is the same for every version

FlashRDP installs each version with Microsoft's 180-day evaluation license and doesn't sell Windows licenses. To keep using Windows Server after the evaluation, activate your own license for the version you run. See [Check your Windows license](/docs/windows-rdp/first-steps#check-your-windows-license).

## Changing version later

You choose the version when you deploy. To switch on FlashRDP, use **Reinstall** on your server's page in the Billing Portal and pick another version; a reinstall erases the whole disk, so back up first. Microsoft also supports in-place upgrades: Windows Server 2025 can upgrade directly from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later.

## Related Articles

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card horizontal title="First steps on your Windows VPS" icon="list-checks" href="/docs/windows-rdp/first-steps" />

  <Card horizontal title="Connect to your Windows VPS" icon="monitor" href="/docs/windows-rdp/connect" />

  <Card horizontal title="RDP vs VPS" icon="scale" href="/docs/guides/rdp-vs-vps" />

  <Card horizontal title="Reinstall your server" icon="refresh-cw" href="/docs/control-panel/reinstall-server" />
</CardGroup>


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