---
title: "Cloud Sites Operating Systems: Linux vs. Windows"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/website-management/cloud-sites-operating-systems-linux-vs-windows/"
description: "Cloud Sites allows you to choose the technology type (Linux, Windows, PHP, .NET, etc) at set up or at a later time. Instructions for changing the technology typ…"
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# Cloud Sites Operating Systems: Linux vs. Windows

Cloud Sites is powered by both Linux and [Windows servers](https://www.liquidweb.com/windows-server-hosting/) hosting over 100,000 sites and applications. Every Windows-based page is served from clusters of servers designed specifically for Windows, and every Linux-based page is served from servers built and optimized especially for Linux. We use advanced load balancing technologies to automatically detect the type of technology you are running and route each request to the proper pool of servers. Both PHP and .NET are included, allowing you to choose the technology you need site by site.

Each time you add a website to your Cloud Sites account, you can choose whether you want to use Linux or Windows. At any point, you can change your websites operating system to any of the options available in the control panel. The process is basically the same for both windows and Linux servers. However, we will show you how to do it on either operating system:

- [Linux](#linux)
- [Windows](#windows)

Warning style

Changing your site’s operating system will change the IP for the site. You will need to change your DNS records to reflect the new DNS Alias record or the IP listed under the IP link (To avoid having to make these changes, see our article [Using ALIAS DNS Record Types](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/portal/domains-and-dns/dns-management/using-alias-dns-record-types/)).

## Changing Your Operating System

### Linux

It’s easy to change the server type your website uses. Remember: this will change your IP address! You need to update your DNS records or your site will not be accessible.

1. First, log in to your Liquid Web Cloud Sites control panel. For help logging in, see [Logging Into the Cloud Sites Control Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/logging-into-the-cloud-sites-control-panel/).
2. Click the domain name for which you’d like to change technologies.  
    ![domain name highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_qSrpSk.png)
3. In the **Website Details** section, click the ![pencil icon](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_cVAsVv.png) **Pencil icon** to the right of **Technology**.  
    ![pencil icon highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_GFgNAL.png)
4. Use the drop-down menu to choose the technology combination you need. Then click **Update Technology**.  
    ![framework drop down](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_n5MqWM.png)  
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
    | ### **Node.js Framework** |
    |---|
    | If you are using Node.js, please see our article [Using Node.js in Cloud Sites](https://www.liquidweb.com/help-docs/using-node-js-in-cloud-sites/) to learn about installing this framework. |

### Windows

It’s easy to change the server type your website uses. Remember: this will change your IP address! You need to update your DNS records or your site will not be accessible.

1. First, log in to your Liquid Web Cloud Sites control panel. For help logging in, see [Logging Into the Cloud Sites Control Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/logging-into-the-cloud-sites-control-panel/).
2. Click the domain name for which you’d like to change technologies.  
    ![domain name highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_qSrpSk.png)
3. In the **Website Details** section, click the ![pencil icon](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_cVAsVv.png) **Pencil icon** to the right of **Technology**.  
    ![website details](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_exK7Wx.png)
4. Use the drop-down menu to choose the technology combination you need. Then click **Update Technology**.  
    ![cloud sites technology upgrade screenshot](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_ib7s4l.png)  
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
    | ### **Node.js Framework** |
    |---|
    | If you are using Node.js, please see our article [Using Node.js in Cloud Sites](https://www.liquidweb.com/help-docs/using-node-js-in-cloud-sites/) to learn about installing this framework. |

## Check the current Operating System

Not sure what kind of servers your website will use? It’s easy to find out!

1. First, log in to your Liquid Web Cloud Sites control panel. For help logging in, see [Logging Into the Cloud Sites Control Panel](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/logging-into-the-cloud-sites-control-panel/).
2. Click the domain name where you’d like to see your website technologies.  
    ![site name highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_wTzVx9.png)
3. In the **Website Details** section, you’ll see what server type your website will use under **Technology**.  
    ![technology section highlighted in site details](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_ayGJ8q.png)