{"product_id":"microsoft-windows-server-2022-datacenter-retail-2-pc","title":"Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Retail [2 PC]","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWindows Server 2022 Datacenter 2PC: A Foundation for Physical, Virtual, and Cloud Workloads\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-datacenter-retail-2-pc\"\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e is Microsoft's general-purpose server operating system, engineered for organizations that need a familiar Windows environment to host file shares, print services, line-of-business applications, and Active Directory domain services. This 2PC license activates the operating system on the specified number of servers for perpetual use, and pairs with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2016-datacenter-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2016 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e CALs (purchased separately) to authorize user and device access. 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\u003eWindows Server \u003cstrong\u003eDatacenter\u003c\/strong\u003e is the edition Microsoft positions for highly virtualized datacenters and cloud environments. A single Datacenter license permits an unlimited number of Windows Server virtual machines and an unlimited number of Windows and Hyper-V containers on the licensed host, with one Hyper-V host counted per license. Datacenter also unlocks the full set of Software-Defined Datacenter features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Spaces Direct\u003c\/strong\u003e for highly available software-defined storage built from locally attached drives\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware-Defined Networking\u003c\/strong\u003e with the Network Controller role for centralized network management\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHost Guardian Hyper-V Support\u003c\/strong\u003e for shielded virtual machines that protect tenant data from fabric administrators\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Replica\u003c\/strong\u003e with no volume count or size cap, including cross-site synchronous and asynchronous replication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\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-2022-datacenter-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e 2PC. The key activates the operating system on the specified number of servers for perpetual use. After activation, the operating system receives the full set of Microsoft updates, security patches, and cumulative updates distributed through Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivation is performed through the standard Windows activation flow. After the operating system is installed, open \u003cstrong\u003eSettings → System → Activation\u003c\/strong\u003e on the Server with Desktop Experience, or run \u003ccode\u003eslmgr \/ato\u003c\/code\u003e from an elevated command prompt on Server Core. The activation servers are operated by Microsoft; once the key validates, the server remains activated offline. If you are migrating from an Evaluation edition, you can use the product key to convert the evaluation installation to a full Datacenter installation without needing to redeploy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features and Capabilities\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-rds-device-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 RDS Device CAL\u003c\/a\u003e feature set spans security, virtualization, storage, networking, and hybrid cloud integration. The Datacenter edition includes the following capabilities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnlimited Virtualization Rights:\u003c\/strong\u003e Run an unlimited number of Windows Server VMs and Hyper-V containers per license\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Spaces Direct:\u003c\/strong\u003e Build a software-defined storage fabric from industry-standard servers with local NVMe, SSD, or HDD\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHost Guardian Hyper-V Support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deploy shielded virtual machines and attest fabric integrity to protect tenant workloads\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware-Defined Networking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use Network Controller, Software Load Balancer, and RAS Gateway to virtualize the entire network plane\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Replica:\u003c\/strong\u003e Replicate volumes synchronously or asynchronously between servers or clusters with no size cap\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutomatic Virtual Machine Activation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Activate guest Windows Server VMs without reaching out to Microsoft KMS or AVMA servers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAzure Hybrid Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Replicate on-premises VMs to Azure with Azure Site Recovery and back up to Azure Backup\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHotpatching (Azure Edition):\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply security updates to running VMs without rebooting when managed by Azure Arc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's New in Windows Server 2022\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with earlier releases, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-rds-user-cal-50-cal\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 RDS User CAL\u003c\/a\u003e adds the following platform improvements:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSMB over QUIC (Azure Edition):\u003c\/strong\u003e Encrypted SMB 3.1.1 file-share access over UDP\/443 with TLS 1.3, removing the need for a VPN\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAES-256-GCM and AES-256-CCM Encryption:\u003c\/strong\u003e New SMB encryption suites for stronger confidentiality of file-share traffic\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage Replica Compression:\u003c\/strong\u003e On-the-fly compression of replicated data between source and destination servers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecured-Core Server:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardware-rooted protection that combines TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and virtualization-based security\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDNS over HTTPS (DoH):\u003c\/strong\u003e Encrypted name resolution for clients and servers that protects DNS queries from eavesdropping\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAzure Arc Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Onboard physical and virtual servers to Azure Arc for centralized policy and extension management\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 and medium businesses\u003c\/strong\u003e running a single application server, file server, or print server that needs a familiar Windows environment with Active Directory\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBranch offices\u003c\/strong\u003e of larger organizations that need a local domain controller, DNS, and DHCP server synchronized with the central datacenter\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManaged service providers\u003c\/strong\u003e hosting customer workloads on dedicated servers and selling per-server or per-VM service tiers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware-defined datacenters\u003c\/strong\u003e that need Storage Spaces Direct, Software-Defined Networking, Host Guardian Hyper-V Support, and an unlimited number of Windows Server VMs (Datacenter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDevOps and platform engineering teams\u003c\/strong\u003e running a mix of Windows containers, Hyper-V containers, and nested virtualization for build agents and test environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegulated industries\u003c\/strong\u003e (finance, healthcare, government) that require the heightened security baseline of secured-core server with TPM 2.0, Credential Guard, and HVCI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSystem Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-standard-mak-volume-100-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e runs on certified 64-bit x86 hardware. The following table lists the minimum supported configuration; in production, plan for additional CPU, RAM, and storage headroom to support your workload, virtualization, 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 (x86-64)\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\u003e512 MB (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\u003e2 GB (Desktop Experience)\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 (60 GB recommended for the system partition)\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 (1 Gbit\/s) or faster\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 BitLocker, Credential Guard, secured-core server)\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\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\u003eCore Licensing Model (16-core minimum, CALs, and per-core packs)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-standard-retail-2-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e uses a per-core licensing model combined with Client Access Licenses (CALs). Every physical server must be licensed for a minimum of 16 cores, with at least 8 cores per physical processor. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs. If the physical server has more than 16 cores, you must add additional 2-core license packs to cover every physical core. A 2-core add-on license pack is the smallest unit of additional core licensing you can purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the server license, every user or device that connects to the server must have a Windows Server CAL. CALs are sold as User CALs (one per named user, who can connect from any device) or Device CALs (one per device, which any number of users can use to connect). If you enable Remote Desktop Services, every user or device that opens a Remote Desktop session also needs an RDS CAL, which is sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eActivation and Licensing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-standard-retail-5-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2022 Standard\u003c\/a\u003e uses a per-core licensing model combined with Client Access Licenses (CALs). Each physical server must be licensed for a minimum of 16 cores, with at least 8 cores per physical processor. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs. Servers with more than 16 physical cores must add additional 2-core license packs until every physical core is covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery user or device that connects to the server must have a Windows Server CAL. Remote Desktop Services additionally requires an RDS CAL for every user or device that uses the Remote Desktop Protocol to access the host.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a perpetual license: once activated, the right to use the software continues for the life of the server hardware. The license may be transferred to a different server provided the original installation is decommissioned. The product key cannot be moved to a new server more frequently than every 90 days except in cases of permanent hardware failure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWindows Server 2022 follows the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), which delivers security and cumulative updates on a predictable monthly cadence. Mainstream support is provided for 5 years from general availability, with an additional 5 years of extended support. Mainstream support for \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2019-datacenter-mak-volume-1000-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2019 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e ended on January 9, 2024; extended support continues through January 9, 2029. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 ends on October 13, 2026, with extended support through October 13, 2031. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2025-datacenter-mak-volume-1000-pc\"\u003eWindows Server 2025 Datacenter\u003c\/a\u003e was released on November 1, 2024, with mainstream support through November 13, 2029 and extended support through November 14, 2034.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGet Started With Windows Server 2022 Datacenter\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 ISO, run Setup, and select the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience or Server Core) option that matches your deployment. When prompted, enter the product key to complete activation. If you are converting an Evaluation edition, open an elevated command prompt and run \u003ccode\u003edism \/online \/set-edition:ServerDatacenter \/productkey:YOUR-KEY-HERE \/accepteula\u003c\/code\u003e, then restart the server.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 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 minimum number of cores I must license?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eWindows Server 2022 requires a minimum of 16 core licenses per server, with at least 8 core licenses assigned to each physical processor. Core licenses are sold in 2-packs. If a server has fewer than 16 physical cores, it is still licensed for 16. Servers with more than 16 cores must purchase additional 2-core add-on packs until every physical core is covered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo I need Client Access Licenses in addition to the server license?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The Windows Server license covers the server itself, but every user or device that connects to the server must have a Windows Server CAL. CALs are sold separately as User CALs (one per named user) or Device CALs (one per device).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the difference between Standard and Datacenter editions?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth editions share the same core feature set. The difference is virtualization rights. Standard allows the host operating system plus two virtual machines (or two Hyper-V containers) per license. Datacenter allows an unlimited number of Windows Server virtual machines and unlimited Hyper-V containers per licensed server. Datacenter also unlocks Storage Spaces Direct, Host Guardian Hyper-V Support for shielded VMs, Software-Defined Networking, and the network controller role.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan I run Windows Server 2022 in a virtual machine?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Datacenter permits unlimited Windows Server VMs on a properly licensed host. Standard permits two Windows Server VMs per license. A guest running on a Datacenter host may use inherited activation, which automatically activates the guest. Essentials is not licensed for use as a guest on a Datacenter host for production use beyond a single instance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the license perpetual?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. This is a perpetual license: once activated, the right to use the software continues for the life of the server hardware. Security updates, cumulative updates, and feature updates from Microsoft are delivered separately on Microsoft's support lifecycle schedule. Windows Server 2022 follows the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and is supported for 5 years of mainstream support plus 5 years of extended support.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan I transfer the license to another server?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, the license may be transferred to a new server, provided the original installation is removed or the transfer occurs when the original server is decommissioned. Each license must cover the new server's minimum 16-core requirement, and any previously used CALs remain assigned to the original users or devices until reassigned.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do I convert an Evaluation edition to a full edition?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen an elevated command prompt on the Evaluation server and run \u003ccode\u003edism \/online \/set-edition:Serverdatacenter \/productkey:YOUR-KEY-HERE \/accepteula\u003c\/code\u003e, then restart the server. The DISM command preserves applications, roles, and data while changing the installed edition. Do not run the Evaluation ISO when applying a full product key; only the full ISO accepts the product key during setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n","brand":"Microsoft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59850924720209,"sku":"MS-162-MICROSOFT-WINDOWS-SERVER-2022-DATACENTER","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1059\/0191\/6241\/files\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-datacenter-retail-2-pc.webp?v=1784725687","url":"https:\/\/dotkeys.net\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-2022-datacenter-retail-2-pc","provider":"DotKeys","version":"1.0","type":"link"}