{"product_id":"microsoft-windows-server-2019-essentials-retail-5-pc","title":"Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Essentials Retail [5 PC]","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWindows Server 2019 Essentials: A Cloud-Connected First Server for Small Businesses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-essentials-retail-5-pc\"\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2019 Essentials\u003c\/a\u003e is Microsoft's Specialty Server edition for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. It packages the file, print, identity, and remote-access features a small organization needs into a single SKU, with user and device rights included in the license so there is no separate CAL purchase. Your key is delivered to your account dashboard within seconds of payment clearing, ready to paste into the activation dialog on a clean or upgraded install. If the key fails to activate for any reason within 7 days, you get a one-to-one replacement key or a full refund — your choice, no questions asked. Activate on a clean install or upgrade in place, and bring your datacenter services online within minutes. 🖥️⚙️\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2012-essentials-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEssentials\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Specialty Server edition designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. It targets the “first server” scenario, where a single on-premises server must provide file sharing, printer sharing, Remote Web Access, Active Directory domain services, and integration with cloud services such as Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery. Essentials includes 25 user \/ 50 device rights with the license, so you do not need to purchase separate Windows Server CALs. The edition supports a maximum of 2 CPU sockets and 64 GB of RAM.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarting with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-datacenter-mak-volume-1000-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e Essentials, the Essentials Experience role was removed. The dashboard, client computer backup, and Remote Web Access that the role provided were deprecated and replaced with Windows Admin Center for browser-based management. Azure integration is delivered through Azure Backup, Azure File Sync, and Azure Site Recovery, all managed from the same admin console.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Is Included and How Activation Works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis listing provides a single product key for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-datacenter-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e Essentials that activates the operating system on 5PC for perpetual use. Essentials is a Specialty Server edition licensed as a single SKU: the user and device rights for up to 25 users and 50 devices are included with the server license, so you do not need to purchase separate Windows Server CALs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivation follows the standard Windows product key flow. Install the operating system from the official Microsoft ISO, enter the key when prompted, and complete setup. If you are converting an Evaluation edition, open an elevated command prompt and run \u003ccode\u003edism \/online \/set-edition:ServerEssentials \/productkey:YOUR-KEY-HERE \/accepteula\u003c\/code\u003e, then restart the server. After activation, the server receives the full set of Microsoft security updates and cumulative updates through Windows Update and WSUS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features and Capabilities\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssentials delivers the essential Windows Server features a small business needs to run an on-premises IT environment and bridge it to Azure cloud services:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUser and Device Rights Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 25 users and 50 devices without purchasing separate CALs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActive Directory Domain Services:\u003c\/strong\u003e Promote the server to a domain controller; if used as a DC, it must be the only DC in the environment and run all FSMO roles\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFile and Print Services:\u003c\/strong\u003e Centralized CIFS \/ SMB file shares and shared printers with BranchCache support\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWindows Admin Center Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Browser-based server management from anywhere on the network\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAzure Backup and Azure Site Recovery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natively integrated cloud backup and disaster recovery for the server itself\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemote Web Access:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide remote users with a browser-based portal to access files and web applications\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWindows Defender Exploit Guard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Network protection, controlled folder access, and exploit mitigation are built into the operating system\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax 2 CPU Sockets \/ 64 GB RAM:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardware caps specific to the Essentials edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo CALs Required:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 25 users \/ 50 devices limit is enforced by the SKU; no separate User or Device CALs are sold for Essentials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's New in Windows Server 2019\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with earlier releases, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-rds-device-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2019\u003c\/a\u003e brings the following platform improvements to Essentials:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHybrid Azure Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Azure File Sync, Azure Backup, and Azure Site Recovery are integrated into the Windows Admin Center\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSystem Insights:\u003c\/strong\u003e A built-in predictive analytics capability that surfaces local capacity forecasts and remediation steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Migration Service:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inventory and migrate file servers to a newer server or to Azure, with cutover orchestration\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWindows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP):\u003c\/strong\u003e Endpoint detection and response built into the operating system\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImproved Linux Subsystem and Containers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Run Linux containers side by side with Windows containers and use OpenSSH, Curl, and Tar natively\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity: Windows Defender Exploit Guard, Credential Guard, and HVCI\u003c\/strong\u003e for defense-in-depth against credential theft and kernel attacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Edition Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices\u003c\/strong\u003e that need a single on-premises server for file, print, and identity services\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst-time server deployments\u003c\/strong\u003e that need a turnkey solution without having to plan a separate CAL purchase\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBranch offices\u003c\/strong\u003e of larger organizations that need a small footprint server with cloud-integrated backup and recovery\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustomers modernizing from \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-essentials-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 Essentials\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e that need continuity in the Essentials feature set on a newer platform\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eService providers and resellers\u003c\/strong\u003e who deliver managed file, print, and identity services to small business customers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrganizations that need a domain controller with built-in Azure backup and disaster recovery\u003c\/strong\u003e without the cost of full Standard licensing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSystem Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssentials runs on certified 64-bit x86 hardware with a maximum of 2 CPU sockets and 64 GB of RAM. The following table lists the minimum supported configuration; in production, plan for additional headroom to support file shares, backups, and growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComponent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMinimum Requirement\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProcessor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.4 GHz 64-bit processor with NX\/DEP, SLAT, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF\/SAHF, PrefetchW, SSE4.2, POPCNT\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRAM (Server Core)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 GB (Server Core)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRAM (Desktop Experience)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 GB minimum for Desktop Experience, 8 GB recommended for virtualized deployments\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHard Disk Space\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32 GB minimum (160 GB with a 60 GB system partition for Essentials)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Adapter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGigabit Ethernet adapter (10\/100\/1000baseT PHY\/MAC), PCI Express compliant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTPM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTPM 2.0 (required for certain security features)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirmware\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUEFI 2.3.1c-based firmware with Secure Boot support (required for certain features)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuper VGA (1024 × 768) or higher (Desktop Experience only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLicensing Model (25 Users \/ 50 Devices, No CALs Required)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssentials uses the Specialty Servers license model: a single SKU grants the right to run the server operating system and includes the user and device rights for up to 25 users and 50 devices. Client Access Licenses (CALs) are not required. RDS CALs are still required if Remote Desktop Services is enabled, and are sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eActivation and Licensing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-rds-user-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 RDS User CAL\u003c\/a\u003e Essentials is licensed under the Specialty Servers model. A single license covers one physical server, the host operating system environment, and the rights for up to 25 users and 50 devices. You do not need to purchase separate Windows Server CALs, and the user \/ device rights are included in the Essentials SKU.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Essentials edition supports a maximum of 2 CPU sockets and 64 GB of RAM. The license is perpetual: once activated, the right to use the server software continues for the life of the hardware. The key may be reactivated on the same server after reinstallation of the operating system. If Remote Desktop Services is enabled, every user or device that opens a Remote Desktop session still needs an RDS CAL, which is sold separately and is not included with Essentials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-standard-mak-volume-100-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e follows the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), which delivers security and cumulative updates on a predictable monthly cadence. Mainstream support runs for 5 years from general availability and is followed by 5 years of extended support. Essentials continues to receive security updates as long as the underlying Windows Server LTSC release is in support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou cannot run Essentials as a guest on a Datacenter host for production use beyond a single instance. The Essentials SKU is intended as a primary server; if you need to host multiple Essentials VMs in a private cloud, consider Standard or Datacenter licensing instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGet Started With Windows Server 2019 Essentials\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter purchase, you will receive a 25-character product key and a link to the official Microsoft download. Mount the Essentials ISO, run Setup, and follow the first-server configuration wizard, which configures the Active Directory domain, file shares, Remote Web Access, and Azure integration. If you are converting an Evaluation edition, use the \u003ccode\u003edism\u003c\/code\u003e command shown in the activation notes above. Plan to add Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery vaults in parallel with the on-premises setup to protect the server from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2019 Essentials Alternatives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree credible alternatives cover most server workloads depending on your requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLinux Server (Ubuntu LTS or RHEL)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFree or low-cost, runs most modern web, container, and database workloads, and is widely supported by cloud providers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWindows Server on Azure \/ AWS \/ GCP\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eManaged cloud versions of Windows Server with pay-as-you-go licensing. Removes the need for an on-premises licence key.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWindows Server LTSC container images\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMicrosoft-published container images for development and CI\/CD scenarios. Free for development but require a licence for production use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to choose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stay on Windows Server if you run Active Directory, SQL Server, Exchange, or .NET Framework line-of-business apps. Move to Linux server for new web and container workloads. Move to cloud-managed Windows Server to remove licence management overhead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the user and device limit for Windows Server 2019 Essentials?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-standard-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e Essentials is licensed for small businesses of up to 25 users and 50 devices. Client Access Licenses (CALs) are not required because the user and device rights are included with the single Essentials license.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow does Essentials compare to Standard or Datacenter?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eEssentials is a Specialty Server edition tailored for first-server deployments. It supports up to 25 users and 50 devices without additional CALs, has a maximum of 2 CPU sockets and 64 GB of RAM, and includes Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and Windows Admin Center integration. Standard and Datacenter add unlimited users and devices (with CALs), more RAM, and far broader virtualization rights.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan Essentials be used as a domain controller?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. If \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-standard-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e Essentials is configured as a domain controller, it must be the only domain controller in the environment, must run all FSMO roles, and cannot establish two-way trusts with other Active Directory domains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes Essentials include the Essentials Experience role?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Starting with Windows Server 2019 Essentials, the Essentials Experience role was removed. File sharing, device management, and administrative tasks are now performed through the Windows Admin Center browser-based management tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow are client backups handled in Essentials?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eClient computer backup was deprecated alongside the Essentials Experience role. Administrators should deploy a modern backup solution such as Azure Backup, Microsoft 365 Backup, or a third-party product for endpoint data protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs Essentials a good fit for branch offices?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eEssentials is well suited as a primary server in a single-location small business, or as a branch-office server in a multi-server deployment where the central site runs Standard or Datacenter. The 25-user \/ 50-device ceiling is the key sizing constraint.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes Essentials support Windows containers?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eEssentials supports Windows Server containers for application development and modernization. It is not licensed for use as a guest on a Datacenter host for production use beyond a single instance. As with Standard and Datacenter, you must license the host with an appropriate number of core licenses.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n","brand":"Microsoft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59850923507793,"sku":"MS-155-MICROSOFT-WINDOWS-SERVER-2019-ESSENTIALS","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1059\/0191\/6241\/files\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-essentials-retail-5-pc.webp?v=1784725678","url":"https:\/\/dotkeys.net\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-essentials-retail-5-pc","provider":"DotKeys","version":"1.0","type":"link"}