Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022 is Microsoft's current long-term server release and the one we recommend for new deployments. It adds advanced multi-layer security (secured-core server, TLS 1.3 enabled by default), better hybrid cloud integration and performance improvements for Hyper-V and storage. It belongs to our Windows Server range, and Microsoft supports it until October 2031.

• Standard and Datacenter editions
• 50-user Remote Desktop Services CAL
• Secured-core server and TLS 1.3 support
• Extended support until October 2031
• Activation guide included
• 10-day replacement guarantee

• Standard — physical servers and light virtualisation (two VMs per licensed host).
• Datacenter — unlimited VMs, unlimited Storage Replica and extra software-defined networking and storage features for large virtual environments.
• Remote Desktop Services 50 User CAL — lets 50 users connect to remote desktop sessions or published apps.

Compare them in Windows Server editions explained. Prefer the earlier release? See Windows Server 2019.

• A genuine product key delivered by email delivery (usually within minutes, always within 24 hours of payment).
• The licence to run the edition you selected on the licensed server.
• our 10-day replacement guarantee and help from our 24/7 support team.

Plan for CALs as well: every user or device that accesses the server needs a Client Access Licence, and remote desktop sessions need RDS CALs.

Windows Server 2022 needs a 64-bit 1.4 GHz processor with virtualisation support, at least 512 MB of RAM (2 GB with Desktop Experience) and 32 GB of disk — real workloads need considerably more. Desktop clients such as Windows 11 connect without issue, and databases pair naturally with SQL Server.

1. Install the edition that matches your key.
2. Go to Settings → System → Activation → Change product key, or run slmgr /ipk <key> then slmgr /ato in an elevated Command Prompt.
3. Confirm that the server shows as activated.

Read how to activate Windows Server for the full walkthrough.