Explore the key differences between the three versions of Windows Server 2022: Essentials, Standard, and the Datacenter Edition.

Windows Server 2022
Editions & Licenses

Understanding the distinctions between editions will help you determine the most suitable edition for your customers' specific needs and requirements. Dive into the features and capabilities that set each version apart and discover which one aligns best with your business objectives.

Windows Server 2022 Editions

Essentials Edition

Standard Edition

Datacenter Edition

A cloud-connected first server for
up to 25 users and 50 devices.

 Ideal for customers with low density
or non-virtualized environments.

Ideal for highly virtualized and software-defined datacenter environments.

25 users/50 devices (OEM ONLY)

Unlimited, based on CALs

Unlimited, based on CALs

1 physical or virtual1

2 VMs

Unlimited VMs

Must be root of domain

2 Hyper-V containers2

Unlimited Hyper-V containers

N/A

Unlimited Windows Server containers

N/A

N/A

Storage features including:
Storage Replica and Storage Spaces Direct

N/A

N/A

New Networking Stack

N/A

N/A

Shielded VMs and Host Guardian Service

Ensure your customers are properly licensed and compliant by focusing on these three components:

Windows Server Licensing Basics

The Base License

Additional Cores

Client Access Licenses

EVERY physical server requires a base license

Available for Standard and Datacenter, the base license provides the following:

  • 16 Cores of Windows Server Licensing.

  • Installation Media.

  • Product Activation Code.

Standard and Datacenter require that ALL physical cores be licensed.

Additional Core licenses may be required in addition to the Base License.

  • Additional Core licenses are available in, 2, 4 and 16 Cores.

  • Some Additional Core licenses come with reassignment benefits.

In addition to licensing the server, ANY device that accesses server resources requires a license, or CAL.

  • CALs are available for both User and Device access.

  • CALs are available in 1, 5, 10 and 50 packs.

  • Remote users may also require an RDS CAL.