Buy a genuine Windows Server 2022 Standard or Datacenter licence key, with Microsoft security updates until October 14, 2031. Each key covers a 16-core server and activates online. Add RDS CALs for Remote Desktop users.
| Licence | VMs included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2022 Standard | 2 | Domain controllers, file and application servers |
| Windows Server 2022 Standard – Lifetime Licence | 2 | Budget single-server setups |
| Windows Server 2022 Datacenter | Unlimited | Virtualisation hosts and clusters |
| Windows Server 2022 RDS Device CAL | – | Remote Desktop access from shared devices |
| Standard | Datacenter | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Per core, 16-core minimum per server | Per core, 16-core minimum per server |
| Virtual machines (OSEs) | 2 per fully licensed server | Unlimited |
| Hyper-V | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Spaces Direct, software-defined networking | No | Yes |
| Best for | Physical or lightly virtualised servers | Heavily virtualised hosts and clusters |
Windows Server 2022 left mainstream support on October 13, 2026 and receives security updates until October 14, 2031, giving years of supported use. For the longest runway on a brand-new server, consider Windows Server 2025.
Windows Server Standard and Datacenter require a Client Access Licence (CAL) for each user or device that connects to the server. Remote Desktop Services needs separate RDS CALs on top of that, beyond the two administrative sessions included with every server. Choose RDS User CALs when people connect from several devices, or RDS Device CALs for shared PCs. Our RDS CAL activation guide explains installation.
Follow our Windows Server 2022 Standard installation guide or the Datacenter guide. Both cover clean installs, evaluation conversion and activation errors.
Two per fully licensed server. Datacenter allows unlimited virtual machines.
Yes. Run DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter with a Datacenter key; no reinstall is needed.
Use DISM with your Standard or Datacenter key to switch the evaluation edition to the licensed edition.
No. Choose Standard, or Windows Server 2019 Essentials for very small offices.
Security updates continue until October 14, 2031.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Standard licence | Windows Server 2022 Standard |
| Datacenter licence | Windows Server 2022 Datacenter |
| RDS CALs | RDS Device CAL for 2022 |
| Install guide | Install Windows Server 2022 |
| Support dates (Microsoft) | Windows Server 2022 lifecycle |
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