{"product_id":"windows-server-2025-standard-retail","title":"Windows Server 2025 Standard Retail Key","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWindows Server 2025 Standard Retail Key\u003c\/strong\u003e licenses Microsoft's newest general-purpose server operating system for file servers, domain controllers, application servers and small Hyper-V hosts. It includes rights to run two virtual machines on the licensed server. It's a one-time purchase, delivered by email with step-by-step activation instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat Windows Server 2025 Standard Is Best For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDomain controllers\u003c\/strong\u003e taking advantage of the new Active Directory functional levels and delegated Managed Service Accounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFile and print servers\u003c\/strong\u003e with SMB signing by default and SMB over QUIC for secure remote access without a VPN.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLine-of-business apps\u003c\/strong\u003e and small SQL Server workloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall Hyper-V hosts\u003c\/strong\u003e running up to two Windows Server VMs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Facts at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eItem\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEdition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWindows Server 2025 Standard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVirtualisation rights\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 VMs (OSEs) per fully licensed server\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLicensing basis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer physical core, 16-core minimum per server\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDelivery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct key and instructions by email\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainstream support until\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNovember 13, 2029\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSecurity updates until\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNovember 14, 2034\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStandard vs Datacenter\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStandard covers two VMs. Planning four to six or more VMs on one host, or Storage Spaces Direct? \u003ca href=\"\/it\/products\/windows-server-2025-datacenter-retail-keys\"\u003eWindows Server 2025 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e is the better value. Our in-depth \u003ca href=\"\/it\/products\/windows-server-2025-standard\"\u003eWindows Server 2025 Standard guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers every new feature and the full edition comparison.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Install and Activate\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownload the Windows Server 2025 ISO from the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/evalcenter\/evaluate-windows-server-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMicrosoft Evaluation Center\u003c\/a\u003e and install the \u003cstrong\u003eDesktop Experience\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eServer Core\u003c\/strong\u003e option.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvaluation installs must be converted before a retail key will activate. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run: \u003ccode\u003eDISM \/Online \/Set-Edition:ServerStandard \/ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX \/AcceptEula\u003c\/code\u003e, then restart when prompted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf the server is already a full (non-evaluation) installation, enter the key under \u003cstrong\u003eSettings → System → Activation\u003c\/strong\u003e or run \u003ccode\u003eslmgr \/ipk\u003c\/code\u003e followed by \u003ccode\u003eslmgr \/ato\u003c\/code\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActivation is online, so make sure the server is connected to the internet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTip:\u003c\/strong\u003e an evaluation edition that has already been promoted to a domain controller can't be converted with DISM. Convert first, then promote, or demote it before converting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDo You Need Client Access Licences?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The server licence lets you run Windows Server; every user or device that connects to it also needs a Windows Server CAL. If people will use Remote Desktop to run apps or desktops on the server, each user or device additionally needs an RDS CAL, such as our \u003ca href=\"\/it\/products\/device-cal-for-windows-server-2022-remote-desktop-services-rds\"\u003eRDS Device CALs\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy From MicrosoftSoftwareSwap?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30-day money-back guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e — if the key does not work for you, request a refund within 30 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifetime replacement warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e — if an activated key ever stops working, we replace it free of charge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstant email delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e — key and activation instructions by email, usually within minutes, plus an invoice for your records.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree 24\/7 support\u003c\/strong\u003e by email and Discord, including activation and edition conversion help.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWindows Server 2025 Standard Retail FAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I run more than two VMs with Standard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, by licensing all the server's cores again with another Standard licence, which adds two more VMs. For many VMs, Datacenter is cheaper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I upgrade my Server 2022 in place?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Windows Server 2025 supports in-place upgrades from Windows Server 2012 R2 and later. Take a full backup first.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it work on Server Core?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The same key activates both Server Core and Desktop Experience installations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat if my server has more than 16 cores?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery physical core must be licensed. Servers with more than 16 cores need additional core licences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs hotpatching included?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWindows Server 2025 supports hotpatching, but it requires connecting the server to Azure Arc and a separate paid hotpatch subscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrder your \u003cstrong\u003eWindows Server 2025 Standard retail key\u003c\/strong\u003e today — delivered by email with full activation support.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Microsoft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45701174624391,"sku":"14121","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/9943\/7191\/files\/server-2022-standard-2_366cb8c7-4f17-43a0-984f-5f24e0604130.png?v=1787928336","url":"https:\/\/microsoftsoftwareswap.com\/it\/products\/windows-server-2025-standard-retail","provider":"MicrosoftSoftware Swap","version":"1.0","type":"link"}