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

# Windows Server editions: Standard vs Datacenter

> Understand the difference between Windows Server Standard and Datacenter, and which one you need.

Windows Server comes in two main editions: **Standard** and **Datacenter**. This guide explains the difference in plain terms, so you can choose with confidence.

## The short answer

For a single Windows VPS running your website, business software or Remote Desktop users, **both editions work the same way**. The everyday features are identical. The differences matter mainly if you plan to run virtual machines inside your server, or use advanced storage and networking features.

## How they compare

| | Standard | Datacenter |
| - | - | - |
| Everyday features (IIS websites, file sharing, Remote Desktop, SQL Server, .NET apps) | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual machines you can run inside the server (Hyper-V) | Up to 2 | Unlimited |
| Advanced storage features, such as Storage Spaces Direct | No | Yes |
| Advanced software-defined networking | No | Yes |
| Shielded virtual machines | No | Yes |

## Which should I choose?

* **Choose Standard** if you're running websites, an accounting or business application, a database, or a few Remote Desktop users. That covers most customers.
* **Choose Datacenter** only if you need to run several virtual machines inside your VPS, or your software vendor specifically requires it.

## Choose your edition

\[\[TODO: which Windows Server versions and editions HostCloud offers, and where customers choose them (order form, ticket or reinstall)]]

> [!NOTE]
>
> Remote Desktop allows 2 administrators to connect at the same time. To let more people use the server through Remote Desktop, each needs a Remote Desktop Services licence, which is separate from the Windows Server edition. [Open a Sales ticket](/support/open-a-ticket.md) if you need this.

Still stuck? [Open a Sales ticket](/support/open-a-ticket.md) and tell us what you plan to run on the server.


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