Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 16-Core, Lifetime License

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter for servers with up to 16 cores

Datacenter is the Windows Server edition for serious virtualisation. With this license, a server with up to 16 physical cores can run unlimited Windows Server virtual machines, without counting licenses each time you add one.

What it adds over Standard

• Unlimited Windows Server virtual machines.
• Storage Spaces Direct for highly available storage on local drives.
• Storage Replica without limits, for replicating data to a second site.
• Software-Defined Networking and Shielded VMs.

Example

A business with one 16-core server can run separate virtual machines for a domain controller, file server, database, ERP application, terminal server and test environment, all under one license. With Standard, you would need one license per two virtual machines.

Windows Server 2022 features

• Secured-core server, TLS 1.3 and DNS over HTTPS.
• SMB compression and Hyper-V improvements.
• Hybrid management with Azure Arc and Windows Admin Center.
• Security support until October 2031.

Minimum requirements

• 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor with virtualisation support
• 2 GB RAM (far more in practice for a host), 32 GB storage
• Gigabit network adapter, UEFI and TPM 2.0

Installation and activation

1. After payment you receive the product key by email.
2. Install the server from an official Microsoft ISO image, on physical hardware or a virtual machine.
3. Enter the key during setup or later in the activation settings.

If you have already installed the Evaluation edition, convert it to the full version without reinstalling, from an elevated command prompt:

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

Under Microsoft terms, each user or device accessing the server also needs a Windows Server access license (CAL), in addition to RDS CALs where Remote Desktop Services are used.