Bluehost has not discontinued Windows hosting outright. Its help documentation, updated July 5, 2026, says Windows is available on select shared and dedicated packages. Whether you can buy it depends on the product, package and possibly the region attached to your account. Older Bluehost guidance described Linux-only environments that could not run ASP.NET or Microsoft Access, which is why search results still say Windows hosting is unavailable.
If your application needs ASP.NET, classic ASP, MSSQL, MS Access, Visual Basic or C#, start by confirming that a Windows/IIS plan is offered to you. If you are running a conventional PHP/MySQL site, Linux hosting remains the more appropriate choice. When Bluehost cannot provide the required Windows package, five alternatives named in its 2026 comparison are InterServer, Liquid Web, IONOS, Hostwinds and AccuWeb Hosting.
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Is Bluehost Windows hosting actually unavailable?
The accurate answer is “sometimes, depending on the package and account.” Bluehost’s current Windows-versus-Linux help article, updated July 5, 2026, says Windows plans exist on select shared and dedicated packages. That wording does not promise that every customer, data-center region or hosting tier will show a Windows option. A product may be available in Bluehost’s catalog but absent from the package selector you see at checkout.
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Why older pages say ASP.NET is unsupported
A legacy Bluehost compatibility article describes a Linux stack built on Apache, MySQL and PHP. That environment does not support ASP.NET or MS Access, and the article tells affected customers to move their content to a host that provides Windows-based services. The advice can still appear in search results even though Bluehost’s newer comparison says Windows is offered on selected packages.
Treat the old article as evidence about a particular Linux environment or legacy product line, not as a universal statement about every Bluehost plan in 2026. Before ordering, check the exact package name, server operating system and control panel shown for your account.
Which applications need Windows hosting?
Choose the server platform from the application’s requirements, not from the developer’s desktop operating system. Windows hosting is relevant when the site depends on Microsoft server technologies and the provider must supply IIS, Windows Server and compatible database services.
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ASP.NET applications are normally deployed to Microsoft’s IIS web server on Windows hosting. Classic ASP is another Windows-specific workload listed by Bluehost. If your application targets the .NET Framework, uses IIS modules or expects Windows authentication, ask the provider exactly which Windows Server and IIS versions are available before you migrate.
MSSQL and Microsoft Access
Bluehost lists MSSQL and MS Access among the applications associated with its Windows plans. Confirm whether the proposed package includes a Microsoft SQL database, how many databases are permitted, the storage or size limit for each one, and whether remote connections are allowed. A plan that merely says “Windows” may still have a database limit that is too small for your application.
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Visual Basic and C# applications
Bluehost also identifies Visual Basic and C# as Windows-oriented applications. The language alone is not enough to determine the hosting platform: a compiled application may target different runtimes. Check the project’s target framework, required native components and deployment model, then match those requirements to the host’s supported Windows Server and .NET versions.
When Linux is the better fit
Bluehost says Linux is the better choice for common PHP/MySQL workloads. Linux plans use cPanel in Bluehost’s comparison, while Windows plans use Plesk. WordPress, PHP frameworks and sites built around MySQL generally do not gain anything from paying for Windows hosting unless another dependency requires it.
Bluehost Windows versus Linux: the practical differences
| Requirement or management task | Windows hosting | Linux hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Typical application stack | ASP.NET, classic ASP, MSSQL, MS Access, Visual Basic and C# workloads | PHP and MySQL workloads |
| Web server family | Windows/IIS environment | Linux/Apache environment in the legacy compatibility description |
| Control panel in Bluehost’s comparison | Plesk | cPanel |
| Best reason to select it | Your application has a Microsoft platform dependency | Your application is built for the conventional PHP/MySQL stack |
| Availability | Select shared and dedicated packages; package and region must be verified | Legacy Linux plans may not support ASP.NET or MS Access |
The table describes platform fit, not a guarantee of identical features across every tier. Storage, database counts, backup retention, resource limits and support differ by package, so compare the actual plan specifications rather than choosing from the operating-system label alone.
How to check whether your Bluehost account can use Windows
Use this verification sequence before buying a domain, moving files or changing DNS. It prevents a Linux-only package from being mistaken for a Windows-capable one.
- Write down the application requirements. Record the framework (.NET Framework or another .NET target), IIS features, database engine, database size, scheduled tasks, mail dependencies and any Windows-only components.
- Open the package details in your Bluehost account. Look for an explicit Windows Server or Windows hosting designation, not just the word “hosting.” Confirm that the control panel is Plesk if your workflow depends on it.
- Check the operating system and runtime versions. Ask support which Windows Server release, IIS version and .NET Framework versions are installed on the exact package. Do not assume that a provider’s generic Windows page applies to every shared plan.
- Confirm database support. Verify MSSQL or Access availability, database count, maximum size, backup treatment and whether imports from your current database are supported.
- Check regional availability. If Windows is missing from your checkout or account dashboard, ask whether the package is unavailable in your billing country or data-center region. Request the exact plan name that can be ordered there.
- Get migration responsibilities in writing. Confirm whether support will move files, databases, DNS records and certificates, or whether you must perform those tasks yourself. Save the answer with the ticket number.
- Test before changing DNS. Upload a copy of the application to a temporary hostname or preview address, run its login and database workflows, and inspect error logs. Keep the existing site live until the Windows copy passes your checks.
Windows hosting alternatives listed by Bluehost
Bluehost’s article Best Windows Web Hosting 2026: Top 5 Providers Compared, published February 27, 2026, reported the following starting prices as current in January 2026. They are provider-reported snapshots, not October 2026 checkout quotes. Promotional terms, renewal prices, taxes and regional pricing can change.
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| Provider | January 2026 starting price reported by Bluehost | Bluehost’s positioning | Windows features described |
|---|---|---|---|
| InterServer | $8.00 per month | Beginner-friendly Windows ASP.NET shared hosting | Up to 25 sites, unlimited space and bandwidth, free SSL, daily backups and Plesk |
| Liquid Web | $86.50 per month | Premium managed Windows/ASP.NET VPS for enterprise users | Cloud and dedicated options, Microsoft SQL hosting and Active Directory options |
| IONOS | $6.00 per month | Budget Windows hosting | ASP.NET, ASP.NET Ajax, MVC and Microsoft SQL on Windows Server 2022 |
| Hostwinds | $14.94 per month | Scalability for growing workloads | Plesk and several Windows Server versions |
| AccuWeb Hosting | $3.49 per month | Technical-user option | Plesk and broad Windows Server version coverage |
The prices above are not performance measurements or independent ratings. Bluehost supplied the feature descriptions and positioning in its comparison; verify the live plan page, renewal rate, included resources and country eligibility before committing.
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InterServer: entry-level shared Windows hosting
InterServer is the most beginner-oriented option in Bluehost’s list. The cited Windows ASP.NET shared plans support up to 25 sites and advertise unlimited space and bandwidth, free SSL, daily backups and Plesk. Those limits describe the plan as presented in January 2026; ask how CPU, memory, inode or concurrent-process limits are enforced, because “unlimited” storage or bandwidth does not remove server-resource policies.
Liquid Web: managed Windows infrastructure
Liquid Web is positioned for enterprise users and has the highest listed starting price. Bluehost describes managed Windows/ASP.NET VPS offerings plus cloud, dedicated, Microsoft SQL and Active Directory options. This profile is appropriate when you need a managed server model or directory integration, but compare the included management scope, licensing, backup policy and scaling process rather than comparing the headline price alone.
IONOS: lower-cost Windows Server 2022 support
IONOS is presented as a budget choice. Bluehost’s January 2026 description specifically mentions ASP.NET, ASP.NET Ajax, MVC and Microsoft SQL on Windows Server 2022. If your application requires a different framework or an older .NET Framework release, verify compatibility before ordering; support for one Windows Server version does not prove support for every runtime.
Hostwinds: a scaling-oriented option
Hostwinds is positioned for workloads expected to grow. Bluehost cites Plesk and several Windows Server versions. Ask how an upgrade changes CPU, memory, storage, licensing and network allocation, and whether your IP address or server location changes during a move between tiers.
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AccuWeb Hosting: broad version coverage for technical users
AccuWeb Hosting is aimed at technical users and is described as offering Plesk with broad Windows Server version coverage. That breadth can help when an older application cannot yet move to a newer runtime, but confirm the exact end-of-support dates, patch responsibility and database options for the version you need.
Comparison checklist for any Windows host
Use the following questions to turn a marketing page into an apples-to-apples comparison. If a value is not published, record it as unknown and ask support before purchase.
| Comparison axis | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Windows Server version | Exact release, patching responsibility and whether older versions remain available |
| ASP.NET and .NET compatibility | Supported ASP.NET mode, .NET Framework versions, MVC support and required IIS modules |
| Microsoft SQL | Engine edition, database count, maximum size, connection limits and backup method |
| IIS and Plesk access | Whether you receive administrative access, application-pool controls and the Plesk features included |
| Backups | Frequency, retention, storage location, restore fees and whether databases are included |
| SSL | Whether certificates are included, auto-renewed and installable on every hostname |
| Migration assistance | Which files, databases, mailboxes and DNS records support will move, and at what cost |
| Resource limits | CPU, RAM, processes, connections, storage, bandwidth and fair-use rules |
| Data-center geography | Available regions, latency to your users and whether the region can run the required Windows package |
| Pricing | Introductory term, renewal rate, Windows licensing charges, taxes and cancellation rules |
Bluehost’s comparison does not establish a complete value for every axis above. Treat any item not stated by a provider as a question, not as an assumed inclusion.
How to move an ASP.NET site from Bluehost
A migration is safest when you separate preparation, testing and DNS cutover. The exact Plesk labels vary by host, so use the destination provider’s documented names while following this sequence.
- Inventory the current site. List domains and subdomains, application-pool settings, framework version, scheduled jobs, file paths, connection strings, mailboxes, SSL certificates, DNS records and database sizes. Note anything that depends on Linux-specific behavior.
- Choose a destination package that matches the inventory. Confirm Windows Server, IIS, ASP.NET/.NET Framework, MSSQL or Access support, storage, memory, backup coverage and Plesk access. Obtain written confirmation for any component the sales page does not state.
- Lower DNS TTL in advance. Reduce the time-to-live on the relevant DNS records before the final move so resolvers can pick up the new address sooner. Keep the old site available during the transition.
- Copy files and configuration. Transfer the application files, static assets and required configuration to the destination. Recreate application settings using the destination’s connection-string and secret-management method; do not publish credentials in a public file.
- Export and import the database. Take a fresh backup, verify that it can be restored, import it into the destination MSSQL or Access environment and update the application connection string. Check collation, compatibility level, users and permissions.
- Recreate services. Set up scheduled tasks, writable directories, URL bindings, mail relays, authentication providers and any native dependencies. Windows plans differ in which IIS modules and outbound ports are enabled.
- Test on a temporary hostname. Exercise sign-in, registration, file uploads, search, payments, background jobs, email delivery and administrative screens. Review IIS and application logs for warnings that a browser test will not reveal.
- Install and test TLS. Bind the certificate to every required hostname, test HTTP-to-HTTPS redirects and confirm that mixed-content or certificate-chain errors do not break the application.
- Freeze writes and perform the final sync. Put the old site into maintenance mode if users can change data, take a final database backup, copy new files and verify record counts before switching DNS.
- Change DNS and monitor. Point the required records to the new server, keep the old hosting account active, and watch logs, error rates, mail flow and database activity while cached DNS entries expire.
- Retire the old service only after verification. Preserve backups and export billing records first. Cancel the old plan only after every hostname, mailbox and scheduled process has been tested from outside your own network.
What to do when Bluehost shows no Windows option
The package selector lists Linux only
Ask Bluehost whether a Windows shared or dedicated package is available for your account’s region and which product name should appear in the order flow. If support confirms that your region or tier cannot use Windows, obtain a written cancellation or migration timeline before purchasing elsewhere.
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- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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The site works on a Windows desktop but not on Linux hosting
Separate the development machine from the server dependency. A Windows desktop does not prove that the application needs Windows hosting. Identify whether the site actually uses ASP.NET, classic ASP, MSSQL, Access, IIS modules or another Windows-only component. If it is PHP/MySQL, a Linux plan may be sufficient.
ASP.NET uploads but returns server errors
Check the target framework, IIS application-pool mode, required modules, file permissions, connection string and database provider. A successful file transfer only proves that files were copied; it does not prove runtime compatibility. Ask the host for the relevant IIS and application logs.
The database cannot be restored
Compare the source and destination SQL Server editions, compatibility levels, database-size limits, user permissions and backup format. If the destination supports only a restricted database tier, request its documented import procedure before attempting another production restore.
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Cached DNS records can continue directing some visitors to the old address until their TTL expires. Check authoritative DNS, the new server’s bindings and HTTPS certificates, and keep the old site online until traffic has moved consistently.
How pricing can mislead you
The five prices in Bluehost’s January 2026 comparison are starting prices, not guaranteed October 2026 bills. A low introductory figure may apply only to the first term; renewal pricing, Windows licensing, backups, database storage, dedicated IP addresses, taxes and support may be separate. Compare the total cost for the period you expect to keep the site, including migration and restore work.
Do not use the price table as a speed, uptime or market-share ranking. No independent performance test or authoritative market-size statistic establishes that one listed provider is faster or more reliable than another. Choose the package that meets your runtime and operational requirements, then validate it with a test deployment.
Quick Recap
A practical decision guide
- PHP/MySQL site: Select a Linux plan unless another dependency requires Windows; Bluehost says Linux is the better fit for this workload.
- ASP.NET or classic ASP application: Require a Windows/IIS plan and verify the framework version, application-pool settings and Plesk access before ordering.
- MSSQL or Access dependency: Confirm database engine, size, connection and backup limits in writing; do not rely on the word “Windows” alone.
- Small site with limited administration experience: Examine the beginner-oriented shared option in Bluehost’s comparison, but test resource limits and backup restores.
- Enterprise or directory-integrated deployment: Compare managed VPS, cloud or dedicated options, Microsoft SQL support and Active Directory capability rather than headline shared-hosting prices.
- Existing Bluehost customer: First check whether a Windows package is available in your account region. If it is not, collect a full inventory and migrate to a provider whose published plan matches every requirement.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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