# Pegasus Opera 3 on a Windows Server release Pegasus tests and supports.

> Yes, Pegasus Opera 3 can be hosted: it runs on a Windows server that your team reaches over Remote Desktop, and Pegasus's own requirements guide covers Terminal Services set-ups. We run that server in London on Windows Server 2025, the release that keeps you inside Pegasus's tested and supported range, and your Pegasus partner looks after Opera itself.

Source: https://wharfcloud.co.uk/hosted-business-software/pegasus-opera-3 · Last updated 21 October 2026 · WharfCloud

## At a glance

- **Server location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Windows Server:** 2025, in Microsoft mainstream support
- **Editions:** Opera 3 and Opera 3 SQL SE
- **Remote access:** Dedicated Remote Desktop server
- **Price:** From £119/month (list £149/month)
- **Human support:** Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00 UK time

## Why the Windows version matters for Opera 3

Pegasus's Software Requirements Guide for Opera 3 (version 3.03.00, June 2026) sets out three rules that matter for anyone running Opera on an older server:

- Opera is **tested and supported** on Microsoft products that are in Microsoft mainstream support.
- Pegasus **also supports, but does not test**, Microsoft products in extended support.
- **Pegasus support ends when Microsoft extended support ends.**

Table: Windows Server versions in Pegasus's Opera 3 guide, with Microsoft's support dates

| Windows Server | Microsoft mainstream support | Microsoft extended support | Position for Opera 3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025 | Until 13 November 2029 | Until 14 November 2034 | Tested and supported |
| 2022 | Ended 13 October 2026 | Until 14 October 2031 | Supported, not tested |
| 2019 | Ended 9 January 2024 | Until 9 January 2029 | Supported, not tested |
| 2016 | Ended 11 January 2022 | Ends 12 January 2027 | Pegasus support ends with Microsoft's |

So an Opera 3 server still on Windows Server 2016 loses Microsoft security updates and, under Pegasus's own rule, Pegasus support on 12 January 2027. Moving now to Windows Server 2025 puts you back on the tested list for years.

## How hosted Opera 3 works

1. **A dedicated Remote Desktop server.** Pegasus's guide says Terminal Services implementations should be installed on an independent server, and that servers should have at least 16 GB of RAM. We follow both, and size up from there for your user count.
2. **Opera 3 SQL SE and SQL Server.** Opera 3 SQL SE supports SQL Server 2016 SP2 to SQL Server 2025. Pegasus allows SQL Server Express with Opera 3 SQL SE under conditions: if performance suffers, it expects a move to a full SQL Server edition. We help you decide which fits before the move.
3. **Your team connects with Remote Desktop.** Each user signs in with their own account, a password and a code from an authenticator app. No one can start a Remote Desktop session with a password alone, and we can also limit access to your office IP addresses.
4. **We patch, monitor and back up.** Critical and high-risk Windows and SQL Server updates within 14 days of release, in an agreed window outside your working hours, monitoring of the server, and scheduled backups, with help from us when you need a restore.

> **Using Pegasus Document Management?** Pegasus's guide notes that Pegasus Document Management is not supported on Windows Server 2022. Tell us if you use it, so we can plan the server version around it.

## Who does what

Table: Responsibilities for a hosted Opera 3 server

| Task | WharfCloud | You and your Pegasus partner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Windows Server build, licence and hardening | Yes |  |
| SQL Server installation and patching | Yes | Choose the edition with us |
| Opera 3 installation, upgrades and configuration | We give access and help | Your Pegasus partner |
| Opera licences and support |  | Yes, with Pegasus or your partner |
| Monitoring, backups, restores | Yes | Tell us what matters most |
| Moving your data from the old server | Yes, free, with your partner | Agree a date away from month end |

## What it costs

The managed Windows server starts at £119/month (list £149/month), with no VAT added. Pegasus asks for at least 16 GB of RAM and a dedicated Remote Desktop server, so we size the server for your users and quote a fixed monthly price in writing, including any SQL Server and Remote Desktop user licences, before you pay anything. Licensing details are on our [hosted business software](https://wharfcloud.co.uk/hosted-business-software#licensing) page.

## Price of the underlying server: Managed Windows Server

- **Standard:** £119/month intro price (first 50 customers), £149/month list price. Windows Server with licence, managed by us. Includes: Free migration from your current host; Critical and high-risk security updates within 14 days; Remote Desktop with multi-factor sign-in; Automated monitoring and recovery; Backups with restore help; Support in UK business hours.

Licensing is confirmed with you before setup.

Prices in GBP. No VAT is added: we are not VAT registered. Talk to us first: https://wharfcloud.co.uk/contact?topic=managed-windows-server

## Questions we get asked

### Can Pegasus Opera 3 run on a hosted server?

Yes. Opera 3 is a Windows application, and Pegasus's requirements guide covers Terminal Services (Remote Desktop) set-ups on an independent server. Your team connects over Remote Desktop.

### Which Windows Server version should Opera 3 run on?

Windows Server 2025. It is the only release in Pegasus's list that is still in Microsoft mainstream support, which is what Pegasus tests against.

### What happens to Opera 3 on Windows Server 2016 after January 2027?

Microsoft ends extended support for Windows Server 2016 on 12 January 2027, and Pegasus's guide says Pegasus support ends when Microsoft extended support ends.

### Can Opera 3 SQL SE use SQL Server Express?

Pegasus allows it, with conditions: the set-up must meet your needs, and if performance degrades Pegasus expects a move to a full SQL Server edition.

### Do you replace our Pegasus partner?

No. Your Pegasus partner keeps installing, upgrading and supporting Opera. We host and manage the server it runs on.

## Sources

- [Pegasus: Opera 3 Software Requirements Guide (3.03.00, June 2026), PDF](https://docs.pegasus.co.uk/Guides/Latest/Software_Requirements_Guide.pdf)
- [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2025](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2025)
- [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2022](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022)
- [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2019](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2019)
- [Microsoft Lifecycle: Windows Server 2016](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016)

Sage, Pegasus, Opera, Microsoft and Access are trademarks of their owners. WharfCloud is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.

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