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Create a Windows Server on AWS EC2

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Create Your First EC2 Windows Server

In this chapter, you will learn how to:

  • Create your first EC2 Windows Server.
  • Connect to the instance.
  • Terminate the instance when it's no longer needed.

1. Logging into AWS Console

Log in to the AWS Management Console using the following link:

https://console.aws.amazon.com/console/home

Based on your location, AWS may automatically redirect you to the nearest AWS region.
For example, if you are in Sydney, the region will be ap-southeast-2.

Click Sign in as root user, using the email associated with the AWS account you created in the previous lesson.

AWS Console Login

2. Navigating to EC2

After signing in, use the search bar at the top to search for EC2.
Click on EC2 from the search results.

Search EC2

Once inside the EC2 Dashboard, click on Instances.

EC2 Instances

3. Launching an EC2 Windows Server

At the top right corner, click on Launch Instance.

Launch Instance

3.1 Configuring the Instance

You will now configure your instance settings:

  1. Instance Name: You can enter any name of your choice.
  2. Amazon Machine Image (AMI): Choose any available Windows Server machine image.
    (The AMI determines the version of your Windows Server.)
  3. Instance Type:
    • Choose t3.micro, which costs $0.024 per hour while running.
    • This is an On-Demand Instance, meaning you are charged only when it's running.
    • When you no longer need it, you can stop the instance to avoid charges.

EC2 Configuration

4. Setting Up Security and Key Pair

4.1 Creating a Key Pair

The Key Pair is an important security credential used to access your server.

  • Click Create new key pair.
  • Save the generated .pem file in a safe and private location.

Create Key Pair
Key Pair Setup

4.2 Configuring Network and Security

  • Security Group: Acts as a firewall to control access to your server.
  • For simplicity, leave the default settings.

Security Group

4.3 Configuring Storage

AWS separates compute (CPU & RAM) from storage, meaning storage is billed separately.

  • The default storage size is 30GB.

💡 Important:
Even if you stop the instance, storage is still charged because AWS reserves it for you.
Unlike compute resources (CPU and RAM), which can be reallocated to other users when your instance is stopped, storage cannot be shared.
Since AWS dedicates that storage to you, it remains billable even when the instance is powered off.

Storage Settings

5. Launching the Instance

After reviewing all configurations, click Launch Instance.
Wait around 5 minutes for the server to be fully initialized.

Launching EC2

Once launched, go back to the EC2 Console.
You will see your instance in Initializing status.
After some time, it will change to Running status.

Instance Initializing