Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
Instant activation
The legacy virtualisation edition of 2008 R2, licensed per processor with unlimited virtual instances. Support ended in January 2020.
$13one-time
Instant Activation
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
Microsoft · Windows Server
The first 64-bit-only Windows Server release, licensed per server with one physical and one virtual instance. Support ended in January 2020.
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per server
- Edition
- Standard
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
- Support
- Ended 14 January 2020 — no security updates
Pricing
$13one-time
Covers 1 device.
- Activated automatically after checkout
- Delivery: Digital key by email
- License Type: Perpetual, per server
- Payment handled by the payment provider
Prices exclude any applicable tax. Licenses are issued to the account used at checkout.
Overview
Windows Server 2008 R2 was the first Windows Server release shipped exclusively as 64-bit. It brought Hyper-V with live migration, IIS 7.5, PowerShell 2.0, DirectAccess and BranchCache, and renamed Terminal Services to Remote Desktop Services. The Standard edition is licensed per server and grants one physical plus one virtual operating system environment. Microsoft's extended support ended on 14 January 2020 — it is bought only to keep a legacy application on the platform it was certified against.
Standard or Datacenter?
Both editions of this release install from the same media, carry the same system requirements and are licensed the same way. The difference is how many operating system environments the license grants — and, on the Datacenter side, the virtualisation features that come with it.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
ViewingThe first 64-bit-only Windows Server release, licensed per server with one physical and one virtual instance. Support ended in January 2020.
$13one-time
This pageWindows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
The legacy virtualisation edition of 2008 R2, licensed per processor with unlimited virtual instances. Support ended in January 2020.
$13one-time
Open
Features
One physical plus one virtual instance
The Standard edition license covers the host operating system and a single virtual machine.
Hyper-V with live migration
Move running virtual machines between cluster nodes without downtime.
Remote Desktop Services
Session-based remote applications and desktops, renamed from Terminal Services.
IIS 7.5 and PowerShell 2.0
Modular web server and the scripting surface most legacy automation was written against.
License details
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per server
- Edition
- Standard
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
- Support
- Ended 14 January 2020 — no security updates
- OS Environments
- 1 physical + 1 virtual
- Processor Licensing
- Up to four physical processors
- CALs
- Client Access Licenses sold separately
- Architecture
- 64-bit only
System requirements
Processor and memory
- 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor — this release has no 32-bit edition
- 512 MB RAM minimum
- 32 GB minimum disk space, 40 GB on systems with more than 16 GB of RAM
Licensing
- Licensed per server, covering up to four physical processors
- Client Access Licenses are purchased separately
Installation
Windows Server 2008 R2 is installed from official Microsoft media in Server Core or full installation mode, then activated with the supplied product key.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a 32-bit version?
No. Windows Server 2008 R2 was the first release to ship 64-bit only. The non-R2 Windows Server 2008 was the last with a 32-bit edition.
How many virtual machines does the Standard edition allow?
One. The license covers the physical host operating system plus a single virtual instance. The Datacenter edition removes that limit.
Is Windows Server 2008 R2 still supported?
No. Extended support ended on 14 January 2020 and it has received no security updates since. A machine running it should not be exposed to the internet.
Do I need Client Access Licenses?
Yes. Client Access Licenses are required for users or devices accessing the server and are purchased separately from the server license.
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