Windows Server Blog

Licensing guides, comparisons and practical tips to help you choose the right server software.

Windows Server 2022 Standard vs Datacenter: Which Edition Do You Actually Need? Windows Server 2022 Standard vs Datacenter: Which Edition Do You Actually Need? The price gap between Windows Server 2022 Standard and Datacenter is huge, but for most companies the cheaper edition is the right call. Here is... Read article Windows Server CALs Explained: User CAL vs Device CAL in Plain English Windows Server CALs Explained: User CAL vs Device CAL in Plain English Client Access Licenses are the part of Windows Server licensing that surprises most buyers. This guide explains who needs a CAL, which type to pick... Read article RDS CALs: What They Are and When Your Server Needs Them RDS CALs: What They Are and When Your Server Needs Them Two admins connecting to manage a server need no RDS CALs. Twenty accountants working in published apps do. Here is where the line runs and how to... Read article Windows Server 2019 vs 2022: Is the Upgrade Worth It? Windows Server 2019 vs 2022: Is the Upgrade Worth It? Windows Server 2019 still works fine, but its clock is ticking. We compare security, performance and support timelines to answer the only question... Read article How Windows Server Core Licensing Works: The 16-Core Minimum Explained How Windows Server Core Licensing Works: The 16-Core Minimum Explained Since 2016, Windows Server is licensed by CPU core, not by socket. The rules fit on a napkin, but getting them wrong doubles your bill. Here they... Read article Windows Server for Small Business: A Practical Buyer's Guide Windows Server for Small Business: A Practical Buyer's Guide A small company does not need a licensing consultant to buy its first server. It needs three questions answered honestly. This guide answers them... Read article How to Activate a Windows Server Digital License Key, Step by Step How to Activate a Windows Server Digital License Key, Step by Step A digital license key turns into a running server in four steps. This walkthrough covers the official ISO download, both activation methods and the... Read article Setting Up Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2022: A Field Guide Setting Up Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2022: A Field Guide RDS turns one server into a workplace for dozens of users. The wizard takes an afternoon; the details in this guide keep it secure and compliant... Read article Windows Server 2025: What's New and Should You Buy 2022 Today? Windows Server 2025: What's New and Should You Buy 2022 Today? Windows Server 2025 brings real improvements, but new is not automatically better for your budget or your compatibility matrix. An honest look at... Read article Hyper-V Virtualization Rights: Licensing Windows Server VMs Correctly Hyper-V Virtualization Rights: Licensing Windows Server VMs Correctly The hypervisor is free; the Windows VMs on it are not. This guide explains the 2-VM rule, when stacking Standard licenses beats Datacenter and how... Read article Windows Server 2016 End of Support: Risks, Deadlines and Your Four Options Windows Server 2016 End of Support: Risks, Deadlines and Your Four Options Support for Windows Server 2016 ends on January 12, 2027. This guide covers what actually stops on that date, what an unpatched server really... Read article Windows 10 End of Support: What Changed and How to Move to Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 End of Support: What Changed and How to Move to Windows 11 Pro Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Your PCs still boot, but they stop getting security fixes. Here is what changed, how to check... Read article