How to Run Windows Server on Contabo VPS: Complete Remote Desktop (RDP) Setup

Why Contabo is the Top Choice for Windows VPS

Unlike Linux distributions that can run comfortably on 1GB of RAM, Windows Server requires at least 4GB of RAM just to maintain responsive UI interactions and background services. Commercial cloud hosts charge exorbitant fees for high-memory Windows instances. Contabo's Cloud VPS 2 pairs 6 vCPU cores with 16GB of RAM, making it the most cost-effective platform for running Windows Server 2022 or 2025.

Step 1: Ordering Windows Server on Contabo

When selecting your Contabo VPS, choose Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Edition under the Operating System section. Contabo automatically licenses the instance and pre-installs VirtIO network and storage drivers.

Step 2: Connecting via Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)

1. On Windows, press Win + R, type mstsc, and hit Enter. (On macOS, download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store).
2. Enter your Contabo VPS IP address in the Computer field.
3. Enter username Administrator and the initial password provided in your Contabo setup email.
4. Accept the certificate prompt to establish the encrypted desktop session.

Step 3: Critical Security Hardening for RDP

Default RDP port 3389 is constantly targeted by automated credential-stuffing botnets. Change the default port in the Windows Registry:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the following command to change RDP port to 33890:

Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp' -name "PortNumber" -Value 33890
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName 'RDP-Custom-Port' -Profile 'Public' -Direction Inbound -Action Allow -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 33890
Restart-Computer -Force

After the server reboots, connect using YOUR_CONTABO_IP:33890.