--- title: "Windows Server Management" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/learn/windows-server-management/" description: "Includes A Guide to Windows Server Memory (RAM), Getting Started with Active Directory as a Service (ADaaS), Cloud Sites Operating Systems: Linux vs. Windows, Best Practices: Secure Mail Settings for MailEnable for Windows and Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to Log into Your Windows Server. 40 articles." taxonomy: "lw_resource_category" articles: "40" --- # Windows Server Management Includes A Guide to Windows Server Memory (RAM), Getting Started with Active Directory as a Service (ADaaS), Cloud Sites Operating Systems: Linux vs. Windows, Best Practices: Secure Mail Settings for MailEnable for Windows and Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to Log into Your Windows Server. 40 articles. ## Articles - [A Guide to Windows Server Memory (RAM)](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/windows-server-optimization/windows-server-memory-ram.md): Slow server? Learn how to check Windows Server memory (RAM). This guide explains cached, available, and in-use memory and when you should upgrade. - [Getting Started with Active Directory as a Service (ADaaS)](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/active-directory-as-a-service-adaas.md): Managed Microsoft Active Directory (ADaaS) is a LiquidWeb MES (Managed Engineered Service) offering where we fully support and assist in managing a dedicated AD… - [Cloud Sites Operating Systems: Linux vs. Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/website-management/cloud-sites-operating-systems-linux-vs-windows.md): 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… - [Best Practices: Secure Mail Settings for MailEnable for Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/best-practices-secure-mail-settings-for-mailenable-for-windows.md): Secure your MailEnable server on Windows. Learn how to configure SMTP authentication and relay settings to prevent your server from being an open relay for spam… - [Using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to Log into Your Windows Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/using-remote-desktop-protocol-rdp-to-log-into-your-windows-server.md): While Plesk handles most server tasks, for remote access to a Windows server, use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Liquid Web servers support RDP for a familiar d… - [Windows SQL Server Management Studio for Cloud Sites](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/database-management/mssql/windows-sql-server-management-studio-for-cloud-sites.md): Securely access your MSSQL database for Cloud Sites using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. - [Upgrade MySQL 5.x in Plesk for Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/database-management/upgrade-mysql-5-x-in-plesk-for-windows.md): On Plesk servers, all software upgrades must be done within the control panel. This guide shows how to upgrade MySQL 5.x to MariaDB on Plesk for Windows. - [Preparing to Resize Your Windows Cloud VPS](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/hosting-services/cloud-vps/preparing-to-resize-your-windows-cloud-vps.md): Ensure a smooth Windows Cloud VPS resize. Learn why you should never partition your drive, and how to use defrag and chkdsk to prevent resizing failures. - [How to Request a Windows Server Migration](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/windows/request-a-migration.md): Learn how to request a free Windows server migration. This guide walks you through the Migration Center form in your portal.nexcess.com account, step-by-step. - [ESET Antivirus Engine Updates](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/antivirus/eset-antivirus-engine-updates.md): Keep your Windows server secure. Learn how Liquid Web manages ESET Antivirus definition, build, and version updates, or how to update manually. - [A Liquid Web customer’s guide to vulnerability scans](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/guide-to-vulnerability-scans.md): Vulnerability scans are an important part of maintaining your server's security, especially in today's online threat landscape. Learn how to leverage them when… - [Using ESET Antivirus for Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/antivirus/using-eset-antivirus-for-windows.md): Liquid Web provides fully-managed anti-virus ESET for Windows servers. It's monitored, updated, and conducts real-time scans, offering protection. - [Scoping Ports in Windows Firewall](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/firewall-management/windows-firewall/scoping-ports-in-windows-firewall.md): Security is paramount in today's digital landscape. Scope Windows Firewall ports to allow only trusted IP addresses for added protection. - [Blocking IP Addresses Using Windows Firewall](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/firewall-management/windows-firewall/blocking-ip-addresses-using-windows-firewall.md): Your Windows server's firewall guards against malicious attacks, enforcing rules to block unauthorized access and potentially harmful IP addresses. - [Adding Remote Desktop Users](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/adding-remote-desktop-users.md): Need to give another user RDP access to your Windows server? Our guide walks you through creating a user and adding them to the Remote Desktop Users group. - [Adding Python path to Windows 10 or 11 PATH environment variable](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/adding-python-path-to-windows-10-or-11-path-environment-variable.md): Easily add Python to the PATH on Windows 10 & 11. Our guide shows how to configure the environment variable during or after installation. - [Adding Cloud Block Storage on a Windows Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/adding-cloud-block-storage-on-a-windows-server.md): Cloud Block Storage (CBS) offers extra storage for your Cloud Server. It's a raw block device, allowing you to format it as needed for your server's requirement… - [Using Windows GPO to Manage Windows Updates](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/manage-updates-with-windows-gpo.md): Learn to manage Windows Server updates using Windows GPO or PowerShell. Configure Automatic Updates, disable the service, and prevent forced reboots. - [Using the MAD (Malicious Activity Detection) Interface](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/using-mad.md): Protect your Windows server from brute force attacks with our free MAD software. It now includes a graphical interface so you can easily manage its settings. - [Resetting Passwords in ADAAS](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/resetting-passwords-in-adaas.md): With Active Directory as a Service (ADAAS), you can reset passwords and unlock users yourself. Our guide shows you how to manage users from your server. - [Internet Information Services (IIS): Your Windows Web Server Guide](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/internet-information-services-iis-your-windows-web-server-guide.md): Your guide to mastering IIS. Learn to add sites, configure FTP, install SSLs, create redirects, and set up custom error pages on Windows Server. - [Installing an SSL Certificate on a Windows Core Managed Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/installing-an-ssl-certificate-on-a-windows-core-managed-server.md): Installing SSL on a Core-Managed server involves CSR creation, SSL acquisition, certificate completion, and binding to the website(s). - [Forcing SSL Connections on Windows Servers](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/forcing-ssl-connections-on-windows-servers.md): To ensure every website visitor uses a secure (SSL) connection, adjust IIS to redirect http://mysite.com to https://mysite.com. This article explains how. - [Enabling Detailed Error Messages in Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/enabling-detailed-error-messages-in-windows.md): IIS — and also using classic ASP — defaults to providing very little error information. Fortunately, you can add a rule to your domain's web.config file to disp… - [Editing File and Folder Permissions on Windows Servers](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/editing-permissions-on-windows-servers.md): On Windows servers, adjust folder permissions via Remote Desktop Protocol, navigating to each resource and modifying Security settings. Active Directory integra… - [Creating Windows File Shares](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/creating-windows-file-shares.md): Windows file shares facilitate sharing file contents between servers, aiding migrations or data accessibility. - [Configure Cloud VPN on Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/configure-cloud-vpn-on-windows.md): Using a VPN to connect to your server? Liquid Web offers a cloud vpn solution for connecting to your server securely. Get directions for installing and configur… - [Change Your Windows Server Hostname](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/change-your-windows-server-hostname.md): Easily change your Windows server hostname — then update it in your Liquid Web account and DNS records. - [Windows Server Administration](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows.md): Your guide to Windows Server. Find tutorials on user management, security, RDP, firewall configuration, and software installation to master your server. - [Windows Resource Monitor](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/windows-server-optimization/windows-resource-monitor-resmon.md): Is your Windows Server slow? Use the Resource Monitor (Resmon) to diagnose high CPU, memory, or disk usage. Our guide shows you how to find bottlenecks. - [Windows Server Optimization](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/windows-server-optimization.md): Learn how Windows Server optimization boosts your site speed, reliability, and security. Our guide shows you how to fine-tune your server for performance. - [Windows Server Migrations](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/migrations/windows.md): Migrate your sites to a new Windows Server. Learn about our managed migration service for Plesk, or find resources for manually migrating MSSQL and files. - [Change Your RDP Password](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/change-your-rdp-password.md): Learn to change your RDP administrator password for enhanced security. - [Renewing an SSL Certificate on a Windows Core Managed Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/ssl/renewing-an-ssl-certificate-on-a-windows-core-managed-server.md): Renewing an SSL Certificate on Windows Core Managed server via IIS is straightforward. Save the renewed certificate as a .cer file on the server and complete th… - [Windows Firewall](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/firewall-management/windows-firewall.md): Secure your server with Windows Firewall. Our guides show you how to open ports, manage IP rules, and configure this built-in security tool. - [Define Mime Types on Cloud Sites (Windows)](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cloud-sites/asp-net-and-iis/define-mime-types-on-cloud-sites-windows.md): MIME types control the way a server attempts to complete requests from a web server. To load a file on your website, a MIME type extension must be defined. You… - [Exploring Your New Windows Plesk Server](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/plesk/exploring-your-new-windows-plesk-server.md): With your new Plesk Fully-Managed Windows server and password in hand, explore its array of features and tools for optimal Windows hosting. Familiarizing yourse… - [Understanding the web.config IIS file](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/internet-information-services-iis-your-windows-web-server-guide/understanding-the-web-config-file.md): If your server uses IIS, you can use web.config files to control your website's configuration without editing your server configuration files. You can even appl… - [Microsoft Licensing Requirements](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/microsoft-licensing-requirements.md): Liquid Web provides various Microsoft licenses to customers, encompassing OS, MSSQL, and other products. While customers can bring their own licensing, certain… - [Content Management Systems for Windows](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/windows/content-management-systems-for-windows.md): Explore secure, Core-Managed Windows Server hosting for enterprise CMS platforms like Kentico, Sitefinity, Sitecore, and Elcom at Liquid Web.