Windows Server 2022 Licenses

Windows Server 2022: which edition do you need?
Windows Server 2022 comes in three editions. The right one depends on how many virtual machines you plan to run and whether you need advanced storage and networking features.

Standard — a single physical server, or up to two virtual machines on one licensed host. Covers the full Windows Server feature set except Datacenter-only extras.
Datacenter — unlimited virtual machines on one licensed host, plus Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica, and Shielded VMs. Built for heavily virtualized hosts and private cloud.
Essentials — for small environments up to 25 users and 50 devices. Access rights are included in the license, with no separate CAL to buy.

Not sure which one fits? See Windows Server 2022: Standard vs Datacenter — Which Edition Do You Need? for the full comparison, including where the cost crossover between the two actually falls.

What’s different in 2022 vs earlier versions
Windows Server 2022 is built on Windows Server 2019, with most of the changes in security and Azure integration rather than core server roles:

Secured-core server support — hardware-backed protection (TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, virtualization-based security) against firmware-level attacks, on certified hardware.
TLS 1.3 enabled by default — encrypted connections use the current protocol out of the box, with legacy TLS 1.0/1.1 disabled by default.
SMB AES-256 encryption — stronger encryption for file-sharing traffic, alongside the AES-128 used in earlier versions.
Azure Arc integration — manage on-premises servers from Azure’s control plane, without moving the workload itself to the cloud.

None of this changes core administration — Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, file and print, and IIS work the same way they did in 2019.

Frequently asked questions
Do I need a CAL with a Windows Server 2022 license?
Standard and Datacenter both require Client Access Licenses for every user or device connecting to the server, sold separately. Essentials is the exception — CALs are included. See User CAL vs Device CAL if you’re not sure which type to buy.
Can I upgrade from Windows Server 2019 to 2022?
Yes, an in-place upgrade path exists from 2019 to 2022. Back up before upgrading, and check that your installed roles and third-party software are supported on 2022 first.
How is the license delivered?
By email, typically within minutes of payment confirmation.

Browse the editions below, or go straight to Windows Server 2022 Standard, Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, or Windows Server 2022 Essentials.