Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter is the virtualisation edition of Windows Server 2019. It gives you unlimited VMs on the licensed host, plus Storage Spaces Direct, software-defined networking and shielded VMs. Buy a genuine Windows Server 2019 Datacenter license key for Hyper-V hosts and hyperconverged clusters, with security updates until January 2029.

Datacenter-Only Features

• Unlimited VMs and Hyper-V containers per fully licensed host.
• Storage Spaces Direct with support for persistent memory and deduplication on ReFS.
• Software-defined networking including encrypted virtual networks.
• Shielded VMs, now also for Linux guests.
• Unrestricted Storage Replica. Standard allows one partnership and a 2 TB volume.

Included in Every Server 2019 Edition

• Windows Admin Center — browser-based management for servers, clusters and Hyper-V.
• System Insights — local predictive analytics that forecast CPU, storage and network capacity.
• Storage Migration Service — move file servers from older Windows Server versions with inventory, transfer and cutover.
• Microsoft Defender ATP integration and Windows Defender Exploit Guard.
• Linux and Kubernetes container support, built-in OpenSSH and Windows Subsystem for Linux.

Datacenter or Standard?

Only one or two workloads? Windows Server 2019 Standard costs less.

Support status: Windows Server 2019 left mainstream support in January 2024 and receives security updates until January 9, 2029, according to Microsoft's lifecycle page. For new deployments, Windows Server 2025 is supported until 2034.

How to Install and Activate

1. Download the Windows Server 2019 ISO from the Microsoft Evaluation Center and install Desktop Experience or Server Core.
2. Convert the evaluation edition before activating: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula, then restart.
3. On a full (non-evaluation) installation, run slmgr /ipk with your key, then slmgr /ato.
4. Activation is online, so make sure the server is connected to the internet.

Do You Need CALs?

Yes. Every user or device that connects to Standard or Datacenter needs a Windows Server CAL. Remote Desktop users also need RDS CALs: RDS User CALs or RDS Device CALs.

Why Buy From MicrosoftSoftwareSwap?

• 30-day money-back guarantee — if the key does not work for you, request a refund within 30 days.
• Lifetime replacement warranty — if an activated key ever stops working, we replace it free of charge.
• Instant email delivery — key and activation instructions by email, usually within minutes, plus an invoice for your records.
• Free 24/7 support by email, including activation and edition conversion help.

Windows Server 2019 Datacenter FAQ

How many VMs does Datacenter allow?

Unlimited Windows Server VMs on the host, as long as every physical core is licensed.

How is it licensed?

Per physical core, with a 16-core minimum per server and 8 per processor.

Can I convert Standard to Datacenter?

Yes. Run DISM with the ServerDatacenter edition and your Datacenter key. No reinstall is needed.

Should I buy 2022 or 2025 Datacenter instead?

For new hosts, yes. Server 2022 Datacenter and 2025 have longer support. Choose 2019 to match existing clusters.

Can I mix 2019 and newer hosts in a cluster?

Rolling cluster upgrades are supported during migrations, but plan to move the whole cluster to one version.

Order your Windows Server 2019 Datacenter key today and license your virtualisation host.