I will walk you step-by-step through how to install Windows Server on Hetzner Cloud so you can have a reliable Windows VPS to run SEO 24/7.
This guide covers creating your Hetzner account, choosing server resources, mounting a Windows ISO, loading the required drivers, finishing Windows installation, and connecting via Remote Desktop.
If you follow these steps exactly as I describe, you’ll have a remote Windows server ready to run SEO tools and tasks continuously.
Table of Contents
- What do I need before I start setting up Hetzner and installing Windows?
- How do I create and verify my Hetzner Cloud account?
- How do I create a new project and a Windows server on Hetzner?
- How do I mount the Windows ISO and start installation?
- What do I do when the installer can’t see the disk?
- How do I partition the disk and complete Windows installation?
- How do I install network and other drivers inside Windows?
- How do I finish configuration and enable Remote Desktop?
- How do I connect to my Hetzner Windows server using Remote Desktop?
- What post-install tasks should I run before using the server for SEO automation?
- Can I use the €20 Hetzner credit to run the VPS for free for a while?
- What Windows Server version should I choose for SEO tools?
- My server won’t show the disk during installation — what exact driver should I load?
- Do I have to disable Hetzner automatic rescale?
- How can I keep this server secure when running SEO tasks 24/7?
What do I need before I start setting up Hetzner and installing Windows?
Before you begin, make sure you have a valid email and a debit or credit card to validate your account. Hetzner requires a payment method even when you plan to use a promotional credit. I recommend enabling two-factor authentication as an extra security measure. Also, have a plan for the server size — for lightweight SEO tools two virtual CPUs, 2GB RAM, and a 40GB SSD (1TB monthly bandwidth) is a good starting point if you want to keep costs low.
How do I create and verify my Hetzner Cloud account?
I start by clicking Register and entering my email and password. After I click Continue, Hetzner sends an email verification link — click that to verify. Then fill in accurate personal and contact details since Hetzner will use them for invoicing. Choose your billing currency carefully because you cannot change it later. I chose Euros.
Next, add a payment method. Hetzner runs a small demo transaction to validate the card; this is required to prevent mass account creation. Once the card is validated you’ll see a successful signup message. Optionally enable two-factor authentication; I recommend doing so for security.
How do I create a new project and a Windows server on Hetzner?
After account setup, create a new project and then add a server. If Hetzner flags your account as higher risk, they may ask for identity documents or request manual verification — I had to complete a quick manual verification by sending personal details and Hetzner approved me.
When adding a server:
- Select the server location carefully — pricing and available CPU/architecture options vary by location.
- Pick a default OS temporarily (I used Ubuntu as the placeholder because we will replace it by mounting a Windows ISO later).
- Choose the server plan. For a low-cost server I selected 2 vCPU, 2GB RAM, 40GB SSD and 1TB traffic (about €5/month at the time).
- Turn off any automatic rescaling if you want to keep the server fixed at the chosen resources. I recommend disabling rescale so Hetzner won’t automatically upgrade resources based on usage.
How do I mount the Windows ISO and start installation?
Open the ISO images section in the Hetzner console and search for Windows. Choose the Windows Server version you want (for example Windows Server 2022 English) and click Mount. Then open the server Console, switch to GUI mode and press Ctrl+Alt+Delete from the console to begin the Windows setup screen.
Follow the standard Windows installer prompts: select language, click Install now, and when asked choose the Standard option with Desktop Experience to ensure Remote Desktop works smoothly with a GUI. Choose Custom installation when prompted for type of install.
What do I do when the installer can’t see the disk?
The Windows installer often doesn’t detect the virtual disk because the necessary VirtIO drivers are missing. To fix this, go back to Hetzner’s ISO list and mount the matching Windows driver ISO (choose the latest compatible ISO). In the installer click Load driver, Browse to the mounted CD drive and locate the VIO STS/I driver folder for your Windows version. Select the correct folder (for my install I chose the 2022 subfolder) and click Next. The driver will load and the disk becomes visible to the Windows setup.
How do I partition the disk and complete Windows installation?
After the driver loads, delete any existing partitions (if you used Ubuntu as the placeholder it may have created partitions). Create a new partition using the unallocated space (you can use the full size or split it). Windows will create a small reserved system partition automatically; then continue with Next and wait for the installation to complete. Once setup finishes, unmount any installation ISO from the Hetzner console so the server boots from the installed Windows disk instead of restarting into setup.
How do I install network and other drivers inside Windows?
On first boot you will likely have devices with missing drivers (marked with an exclamation in Device Manager). Mount the same VirtIO driver ISO again from Hetzner, open Device Manager, right-click each unknown device, choose Update driver → Browse my computer for drivers → point to the mounted CD drive and let Windows search. Repeat this for network adapter, storage controllers and any remaining devices until Device Manager shows no missing drivers. Once the network driver is installed you’ll have internet access inside the VM.
How do I finish configuration and enable Remote Desktop?
Open Server Manager and adjust welcome settings if you prefer. In Local Server turn off intrusive prompts (like Internet Explorer security warnings). In the Remote Desktop settings set Remote Desktop to Allow remote connections and apply the change. If Remote Desktop appears disabled at first, toggle the setting or refresh the page — I had to re-open the settings once due to a cache issue and it then showed Enabled.
How do I connect to my Hetzner Windows server using Remote Desktop?
From your local PC open Remote Desktop Connection, enter the server’s public IP shown in the Hetzner console, use the Administrator username and the password you set during installation. Click Connect, accept the certificate exception if prompted, and you’ll get a full remote desktop session to your Windows server. I tested by opening File Explorer and system properties to confirm CPU, RAM, and disk match the plan I selected.
What post-install tasks should I run before using the server for SEO automation?
- Install all Windows Updates via Settings → Update & Security.
- Harden the server: enable two-factor authentication for Hetzner, keep Administrator password secure, and limit RDP access by IP or via a jump host if possible.
- Install your SEO tools and any automation scripts. Consider scheduling tasks and monitoring to ensure processes run 24/7.
- Create snapshots or backups before making major changes so you can roll back quickly.
Can I use the €20 Hetzner credit to run the VPS for free for a while?
Yes. If you sign up with a promotional link that provides €20 in credit, you can use that credit toward the monthly costs of the VPS. You still need to add a card for validation, but the credit will be applied to billing until it runs out.
What Windows Server version should I choose for SEO tools?
Pick a current, supported Windows Server such as 2022 to ensure driver compatibility and security updates. Choose Desktop Experience if you need a GUI for tools that require it.
My server won’t show the disk during installation — what exact driver should I load?
Mount Hetzner’s VirtIO driver ISO and in the Windows installer use Load driver → browse the CD and expand VIO STS/I. Select the subfolder matching your Windows version (for example 2022) to load the disk and network drivers.
Do I have to disable Hetzner automatic rescale?
You don’t have to, but I recommend disabling Rescale if you want predictable billing and fixed server resources. Rescale can automatically change your plan if resource needs spike.
How can I keep this server secure when running SEO tasks 24/7?
Use strong passwords, enable 2FA on your Hetzner account, limit RDP access via firewall rules, keep Windows updated, and take regular backups or snapshots. Consider running SEO processes under a non-administrator user and monitor resource usage to prevent abuse.
Final notes
Installing Windows Server on Hetzner Cloud is straightforward if you follow the sequence: create account and verify, create a project and server, mount the Windows ISO, load VirtIO drivers so the installer sees the disk, complete installation, install remaining drivers inside Windows, enable Remote Desktop, and secure the server. This setup gives you a dependable Windows environment to run SEO tools and automation 24/7.
If you run into issues during any step, re-check the mounted ISO selection and driver folder you chose, and ensure the server architecture and Windows version match the driver package.
