# Windows web hosting: first steps > Start with HyperDC Windows hosting: open your service, find your connection details, point your domain, upload your site and create a database and mailbox. Difficulty: Beginner HyperDC Windows web hosting places your sites on a Windows server running Microsoft IIS. You manage everything on your **service page in the client area**, and we run and maintain the server. This guide takes you from a new service to a live site. Plans: [Windows web hosting](/windows-web-hosting). ## Before you start - Your Windows hosting service is active. - Your domain, registered with HyperDC or elsewhere. ## Step 1: Open your service 1. In the client area, open **Services › My Services** and select your hosting service. 2. The page opens on **Overview**. The other tabs hold everything else: **Websites**, **File Manager**, **Databases**, **Mail**, **FTP**, **Backups** and more. On a phone, the tabs become a **Sections** list. If the page says your hosting is being set up, refresh it in a moment. ## Step 2: Find your connection details On **Overview**, the **Usage** panel shows your disk space and this month's traffic. The **Connection details** panel lists what you need later, with a copy button on each line: the **FTP server**, **FTP user**, **SQL Server host**, **MySQL host** and **Server IP address**. ## Step 3: Point your domain Where you manage your domain's DNS, point the A records of `example.com` and `www.example.com` to the **Server IP address** from **Connection details**. See [point a domain to your server](/guides/point-domain-to-server). Changes can take a while to reach the whole internet. ## Step 4: Upload your site Your main domain's files go into the `httpdocs` folder. - In the browser: **File Manager**, or with an FTP client: see [upload files on Windows hosting](/guides/windows-hosting-files-ftp). - For an ASP.NET or ASP.NET Core application: see [deploy an ASP.NET site](/guides/deploy-aspnet-windows-hosting). - For a blog: see [install WordPress on Windows hosting](/guides/install-wordpress-windows-hosting). **Verify:** your site loads at `http://example.com`. ## Step 5: Turn on HTTPS Open **SSL** and select **Issue Free** next to your domain. See [free SSL on Windows hosting](/guides/windows-hosting-ssl). **Verify:** `https://example.com` loads with a padlock. ## Step 6: Create a database Open **Databases**, select **New Database**, choose the engine, then enter a name and a password. Copy the **Connection String** into your application. See [databases on Windows hosting](/guides/windows-hosting-databases). ## Step 7: Create a mailbox Open **Mail**, select **New Mailbox** and enter the name before `@`, a password and a size. See [email on Windows hosting](/guides/windows-hosting-mail). ## Step 8: Back up Open **Backups** and select **Create Backup** before you change anything important, then download a copy. See [back up and restore on Windows hosting](/guides/windows-hosting-backup-restore). ## Next steps - More sites on one service and the PHP version of each: [add domains and choose the PHP version](/guides/windows-hosting-domains-php). - What happens on your site: [Web Shield, statistics and logs](/guides/windows-hosting-security-logs). - Recurring jobs: [run a PHP script on a schedule](/guides/windows-hosting-scheduled-tasks). ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need Windows hosting for my website? Only if your site uses Windows technologies such as ASP.NET or Microsoft SQL Server. The operating system of your own computer does not matter. ### Is there a control panel to sign in to? No. Files, databases, mail, FTP and backups are all on your service page in the client area. You only need your client area login. ### Which versions can I use? ASP.NET 4.x and ASP.NET Core 10 are confirmed on the server, as are PHP 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 and 8.5. If your application needs another .NET version, ask us in a ticket before you deploy. ### Which databases are included? Microsoft SQL Server and MariaDB, with the numbers set by your plan. MariaDB appears as MySQL in the Engine list. ### Is an SSL certificate included? Yes. Every Windows hosting plan includes a free SSL certificate. Once your domain points to the server, you issue it in the SSL tab of your service page. ### When should I choose a VPS instead? Shared hosting is for small business sites. If your project can strain the server, such as a commercial SaaS, or you need administrator access or your own Windows services, choose a Windows VPS or VDS. --- Source: \ Updated: 2026-11-02