Installing Plesk on Windows VPS

Introduction: Plesk is a comprehensive web hosting control panel designed for simplified server management. This article outlines the steps to install Plesk on a Windows VPS, enabling you to effortlessly manage your hosting environment.

Prerequisites:

• You must have a Windows VPS of type S or higher.
• Basic understanding of server administration concepts.
• Check the hardware and software requirements for Plesk Obsidian before proceeding.

Installation Steps:

1. Enabling Required Ports:

   • Plesk's installation requires incoming traffic to be allowed on TCP 8443 and TCP 8447 ports. By default, these ports are enabled in the firewall upon VPS purchase.
   • For additional Plesk services, create firewall rules to enable other necessary ports.
   • A comprehensive list of Plesk ports and protocols is available in the official documentation.

2. Generating Plesk License Key:

   • Access the Cloud Panel.
   • Navigate to Infrastructure > Servers and select your desired server.
   • Scroll down to the Plesk section and click "Generate Plesk License Key."
   • Make sure to copy the generated license key for later use.

3. Installing Plesk:

   • Log in to the server as an administrator.

4. Download Plesk Installer:

   • Download the Plesk Installer using this link: Plesk Installer
   • Save the installer in a directory that's easily accessible.

5. Access Command Prompt:

   • Open the search bar in the taskbar and type "cmd."
   • Double-click "Command Prompt" to open it.

6. Navigate to Installation Directory:

   • Use the following command to navigate to the directory where the installation file is saved:
     cd /NAME_OF_EXAMPLE_FOLDER

7. Install Plesk:

   • To install Plesk with the default configuration, run the following command:
     plesk-installer.exe --web-interface
   • A browser window will open.

8. Enter Administrator Credentials:

   • Log in using the administrator account credentials for your server.

9. Begin Installation:

   • Once logged in, you'll see the installation user interface.
   • Initially, only the option to install Plesk will be available.
   • Click "Install or Upgrade Product."

10. Select Plesk Installation:

    • Choose the Plesk installation box.

11. Installation Type (Optional):

    • Choose the desired installation type based on your requirements:
      • Recommended: Comprehensive components for web hosting, including the web server, mail server, and more.
      • Complete: All Plesk components and features.
      • Custom: Choose components from a list (recommended for experienced administrators).
    • Click "Continue."

12. Configuration Options (Optional):

    • Adjust installation directory, user data path, content storage path, and Plesk administrator password if desired.
    • Click "Continue."

13. Plesk Installation:

    • Plesk will begin installing. The process duration depends on factors like component count, system resources, and Internet speed.

14. Accessing Plesk:

    • Open your browser and enter the following URL, replacing "example" with your server's IP address:
      https://example:8443
    • Proceed past security warnings as needed based on your browser.

15. First Time Logging In:

    • Log in using root user account credentials.
    • Enter your email address in the Email field.
    • Set a password in the Password field.
    • Note your login details and enter the license key from earlier.
    • Accept the end-user license agreement.
    • Click "Enter Plesk."

16. Exploring Plesk:

    • The Plesk user interface will open, offering a versatile control panel for managing your hosting environment.

Notes:

• Plesk simplifies server management and offers an intuitive interface.
• Ensure your VPS meets the hardware and software requirements for a successful installation.
• Plesk's components can be added or removed after installation.
• Access Plesk using the provided URL in your browser for a comprehensive management experience.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly install Plesk on your Windows VPS, enhancing your hosting capabilities with an efficient and user-friendly control panel.