Windows Server

Windows Server 2025 Standard and Datacenter in 16-core, 24-core and 2-core add-on packs, Standard bundles with 5 or 10 User CALs, and Windows Server 2022 and 2019 Standard, Datacenter and Essentials for software certified on earlier versions. We check your cores and virtual machines before you buy.

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Help from our licensing team

How Windows Server 2025 licensing works

Windows Server Standard and Datacenter are licensed per physical core. Every core in the server must be licensed, with a minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 cores per server. Licenses are sold as 16-core and 24-core licenses, plus 2-core add-on packs.

Server	Cores to license	What to buy
1 processor, 8 cores	16 (minimum)	1 x 16-core license
1 processor, 16 cores	16	1 x 16-core license
2 processors, 10 cores each	20	1 x 16-core + 2 x 2-core packs
2 processors, 12 cores each	24	1 x 24-core license

Standard or Datacenter?

Windows Server 2025 Standard lets you run 2 virtual machines when all cores are licensed, and you can license the cores again for every 2 more. Datacenter allows unlimited virtual machines and adds Storage Spaces Direct and software-defined networking. As a rule, Datacenter becomes better value from about 12 to 14 virtual machines per host.

Don’t forget CALs

Users or devices that access Windows Server need Client Access Licenses. See Server CALs & RDS or choose a Standard bundle with 5 or 10 User CALs.

Frequently asked questions

How many Windows Server core licenses do I need?

Count the physical cores in the server, with a minimum of 8 per processor and 16 per server. Buy a 16-core or 24-core license and add 2-core packs for the remainder. Send us the server model and we will confirm.