Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
Instant activation
The legacy virtualisation edition with unlimited OS environments per processor pair. Extended support ended in October 2023.
$13one-time
Instant Activation
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard
Microsoft · Windows Server
Licensed per processor pair with two operating system environments. Extended support ended in October 2023.
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per processor pair
- Edition
- Standard
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
- Support
- Ended 10 October 2023 — no security updates
Pricing
$13one-time
Covers 1 device.
- Not currently self-service — we confirm price and availability before you pay
- Activated automatically after checkout
- Delivery: Digital key by email
- License Type: Perpetual, per processor pair
- Payment handled by the payment provider
Prices exclude any applicable tax. Licenses are issued to the account used at checkout.
Overview
Windows Server 2012 R2 is a legacy release, licensed under the per-processor model that preceded per-core: one license covers up to two physical processors, and the Standard edition grants two operating system environments. It introduced Storage Spaces tiering, Generation 2 virtual machines in Hyper-V, Work Folders and IIS 8.5. Microsoft's extended support ended on 10 October 2023, which means it no longer receives security updates — it is bought to keep an existing application running, not to build on.
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 2012 R2 Standard
ViewingLicensed per processor pair with two operating system environments. Extended support ended in October 2023.
$13one-time
This pageWindows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
The legacy virtualisation edition with unlimited OS environments per processor pair. Extended support ended in October 2023.
$13one-time
Open
Features
Two OS environments
Each license permits two virtual instances, or one virtual and one physical.
Storage Spaces with tiering
Automatic placement of hot data on SSD and cold data on spinning disk within a pool.
Generation 2 virtual machines
UEFI-based VMs with Secure Boot, SCSI boot and no emulated legacy hardware.
Work Folders
Sync user files to managed devices from a file server without third-party software.
License details
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per processor pair
- Edition
- Standard
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
- Support
- Ended 10 October 2023 — no security updates
- OS Environments
- 2 per license
- Processor Licensing
- One license per two physical processors
- CALs
- Client Access Licenses sold separately
- Architecture
- 64-bit
System requirements
Processor and memory
- 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
- 512 MB RAM minimum
- 32 GB minimum disk space
Licensing
- One license covers up to two physical processors
- Additional licenses are required per processor pair beyond the first
- Client Access Licenses are purchased separately
Installation
Windows Server 2012 R2 is installed from official Microsoft media in Server Core or full installation mode, then activated with the supplied product key.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I buy a license for an unsupported release?
Because an application is certified against it and cannot be moved yet. That is a legitimate reason and it is the only one — for anything new, license a release that is still patched.
How is 2012 R2 licensed compared with later releases?
Per processor pair rather than per core. One license covers up to two physical processors; a four-socket server needs two licenses. Per-core licensing arrived with Windows Server 2016.
Does Windows Server 2012 R2 still receive security updates?
No. Extended support ended on 10 October 2023. Microsoft no longer issues security patches outside a paid Extended Security Updates agreement, so a 2012 R2 machine should be isolated from untrusted networks or migrated.
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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