Windows RDP Paid with Crypto: Setup Guide
Buying a Windows RDP server with Bitcoin, Lightning, or Monero is faster than most card checkouts once you know the flow — no identity check, no waiting on approval.
Choose a Windows-Capable Plan
Windows Server needs more headroom than a minimal Linux box, so RDP is available from the Starter tier up (6 GB RAM and above) — the compact Nano and Micro tiers are Linux-only. Starter (€11/mo, Intel Xeon) and Starter Pro (€13/mo, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X) both work for light use; for daily driver use, Medium Pro (€19.50/mo, 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM) gives noticeably more headroom for running applications alongside the desktop session.
Select Windows as the OS Template
During setup — either at checkout or from your account after provisioning, depending on the plan — choose the Windows Server template rather than a Linux distribution. This is what makes RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) available on the server; Linux templates use SSH instead.
Pay with Crypto
At checkout, pick your payment method. Bitcoin is supported both on-chain and over the Lightning Network, alongside Monero and other coins. No card and no identity verification is required for any of them.
Lightning is worth knowing about specifically: it settles near-instantly and with negligible fees, compared to an on-chain Bitcoin transaction which needs to be mined into a block first. If you want your RDP online as fast as possible, Lightning is the quickest path from click to confirmed payment.
Wait for Confirmation
Lightning payments confirm essentially immediately. On-chain Bitcoin and Monero payments need to be picked up by the network — Monero produces a block roughly every two minutes, and Bitcoin roughly every ten. There's no manual review queue behind any of these; the system verifies the payment and moves straight to provisioning.
Get Your RDP Credentials
Once the payment is confirmed, the server is provisioned automatically with the Windows template you selected. Your account receives the server's IP address, an administrator username, and a password — no support ticket or approval step in between.
Connect Over RDP
From Windows, open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe), enter the server's IP address, and log in with the administrator credentials. From macOS, install Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store and add a new PC connection with the same details. From Linux, a client like Remmina (RDP protocol) works the same way.
By default RDP listens on port 3389 — if you're behind a restrictive network firewall on your end, make sure outbound access to that port isn't blocked.
Secure the Server After First Login
Change the administrator password immediately after your first login, even though the one issued at provisioning is randomly generated. Make sure Windows Update is enabled and let it install the latest patches — an internet-facing RDP endpoint is a common scanning target, and staying current matters.
If your use case allows it, restrict RDP access with Windows Firewall to only the IP ranges you actually connect from, or put RDP behind a WireGuard tunnel and disable direct internet exposure entirely. Network Level Authentication (NLA) is enabled by default on recent Windows Server releases and should stay on — it requires authentication before a full session is established, reducing the attack surface of the RDP service itself.
FAQ
Which cryptocurrencies can I use to pay for RDP?
Bitcoin — both on-chain and over the Lightning Network — and Monero are both supported at checkout, alongside other coins. No card or bank transfer is required for any plan.
Is a Windows license included?
Windows Server is offered as a ready-to-deploy OS template on Windows-capable plans, selected during setup. For licensing specifics on your chosen plan, check the plan details at checkout or ask support before ordering.
Do I need to verify my identity to buy RDP?
No. There is no KYC requirement on any plan or payment method — no passport, ID, or proof of address.
What's the difference between Lightning and on-chain Bitcoin for this?
Lightning settles near-instantly with minimal fees and is best if you want the server online as fast as possible. On-chain Bitcoin is the traditional method and works everywhere a Bitcoin wallet does, but needs to be mined into a block first, which takes longer.
Can I get a refund if I paid with crypto and want to cancel?
Crypto payments aren't refunded back to crypto. Eligible refunds are issued as Strike account credit you can apply to future services, per our Terms of Service.
Get Windows RDP Today
Pay with Bitcoin, Lightning, or Monero. No KYC, instant provisioning after confirmation. From €11/mo.