You can deploy Windows on an ECS instance by using an image that contains the operating system and applications. This topic describes how to deploy Windows on an ECS instance by replacing its image.
Prerequisites
- An Alibaba Cloud account is created. To create an Alibaba Cloud account, go to the Alibaba Cloud official website.
- The instance is stopped. If the instance is not stopped, stop it first. For more information,
see Stop an instance.
Warning
- When you stop an instance, the services running on the instance may be interrupted. Proceed with caution.
- If the target instance is a pay-as-you-go instance and the No Fees for Stopped Instances (VPC-Connected) feature is enabled, the instance may not be able to start after you replace the operating system. We recommend that you disable the No Fees for Stopped Instances (VPC-Connected) feature before you stop the instance.
Background information
Alibaba Cloud Marketplace images contain operating systems and applications and can be used to deploy application environments of ECS instances. For more information, see Alibaba Cloud Marketplace.
You can choose one of the following methods to use Alibaba Cloud Marketplace images that contain the Windows application environment:
- If you are creating an instance, select an Alibaba Cloud Marketplace image that contains the Windows application environment. For more information, see ECS instance creation overview.
- If you are using an existing instance, you can replace the operating system of the instance with an Alibaba Cloud Marketplace image that contains the Windows application environment.
- You cannot install or deploy virtualization software such as KVM, Xen, or VMware on ECS instances.
- After the operating system is replaced, the original system disk will be released and the data will be permanently lost. Exercise caution when you replace the operating system. For more information, see Replace the system disk (non-public images).
Procedure
- Log on to the ECS console.
- In the left-side navigation pane, choose .
- In the top navigation bar, select a region.
- Replace the system disk of the ECS instance.
Result

Click Back to Instance List to go back to the Instances page. The instance automatically starts. Connect to the instance, and you can use the Windows environment. For more information about how to connect to an instance, see Overview.