Windows Server 2022 Standard
Instant activation
The previous long-term server release, licensed per core with two operating system environments per license.
$13one-time
Instant Activation
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
Microsoft · Windows Server
The 2022 release for highly virtualised environments, permitting unlimited operating system environments on licensed hardware.
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per core
- Edition
- Datacenter
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
Pricing
$13one-time
Covers 1 device.
- Activated automatically after checkout
- Delivery: Digital key by email
- License Type: Perpetual, per core
- Payment handled by the payment provider
Prices exclude any applicable tax. Licenses are issued to the account used at checkout.
Overview
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter is the edition intended for hosts running many virtual machines. It shares the per-core licensing model and the secured-core capabilities of the Standard edition, and adds unlimited virtualisation rights on the licensed hardware together with the software-defined datacenter features Standard does not include: Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica without the Standard edition's single-partnership limit, software-defined networking and shielded virtual machines. Where a host runs more than about a dozen virtual machines, Datacenter is usually cheaper than stacking Standard licenses to cover them.
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 2022 Standard
The previous long-term server release, licensed per core with two operating system environments per license.
$13one-time
OpenWindows Server 2022 Datacenter
ViewingThe 2022 release for highly virtualised environments, permitting unlimited operating system environments on licensed hardware.
$13one-time
This page
Features
Unlimited OS environments
Run as many Windows virtual machines as the hardware supports, with no additional license per guest.
Storage Spaces Direct
Pool local drives across servers into a hyper-converged cluster with no external SAN.
Software-defined networking
Network Controller and software load balancing for virtualised network fabric.
Shielded virtual machines
Encrypted VMs that a compromised host administrator cannot read.
Secured-core server
Firmware protection, virtualisation-based security and TLS 1.3 enabled by default.
License details
- Platform
- Windows Server
- License Type
- Perpetual, per core
- Edition
- Datacenter
- Delivery
- Digital key by email
- Servers
- 1 server
- Support
- Extended support until 14 October 2031
- OS Environments
- Unlimited
- Core Licensing
- 16 cores minimum per server
- CALs
- Client Access Licenses sold separately
- Architecture
- 64-bit
System requirements
Processor and memory
- 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor compatible with the x64 instruction set
- 512 MB RAM minimum (2 GB for Desktop Experience installations)
- 32 GB minimum disk space
Firmware and security
- UEFI 2.3.1c firmware with Secure Boot for secured-core features
- TPM 2.0 for BitLocker and virtualisation-based security
Licensing
- All physical cores in the server must be licensed
- 16-core minimum per server, 8-core minimum per processor
- Client Access Licenses are purchased separately
Installation
Windows Server 2022 is installed from official Microsoft media in Server Core or Desktop Experience mode, then activated with the supplied product key.
Frequently asked questions
How many virtual machines does Datacenter allow?
Unlimited Windows OS environments on the licensed hardware, provided every physical core in that server is licensed.
Is Windows Server 2022 still supported?
Yes. Mainstream support ends on 13 October 2026 and extended support — security updates only — runs to 14 October 2031.
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.
Related products
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter
Instant activation
Server operating system for highly virtualised environments, permitting unlimited operating system environments on licensed hardware.
$13one-time
Windows Server 2025 Standard
Instant activation
Server operating system licensed per physical core, permitting two operating system environments per license.
$13one-time
Windows Server 2019 Standard
Instant activation
Licensed per physical core with two operating system environments per license, and still within its extended support window.
$13one-time