Why choose it
What this licence covers
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Covers 16 cores
The licence covers a server with up to 16 physical cores. If your server has more, you need additional licences to cover them all.
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CALs are not included
Windows Server needs a CAL for every user or device accessing the server. They are not part of this licence and are bought separately.
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Up to 2 server environments
Standard edition grants two operating system environments, or Windows containers with Hyper-V isolation, once every physical core is licensed.
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Active Directory, Hyper-V, file and web
Includes the Windows Server Standard roles: Active Directory Domain Services, Hyper-V, file and print server, and IIS.
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Digital licence by email
Key and instructions arrive by email once your payment is confirmed: nothing to wait for in the post.
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Updates without restarting
Windows Server 2025 adds hotpatching through Azure Arc, cutting planned reboots, alongside a hardened Active Directory and native NVMe support.
System requirements
Compatibility and technical requirements
Indicative figures from Microsoft documentation. Always check the current requirements before installing.
Processor
64-bit processor at 1.4 GHz or faster. The 2025 release also requires SSE4.2 and POPCNT instructions: check your CPU before buying.
Memory
2 GB for Server Core and 2 GB with Desktop Experience, 4 GB recommended.
Disk space
At least 32 GB free on the system partition. Servers with more than 16 GB of RAM need extra room for paging and dump files.
Network
Ethernet adapter with at least 1 Gbps throughput, compliant with the PCI Express specification.
How it works
Order, delivery and activation
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Complete your order
Pay with any method available at checkout: card, PayPal or digital wallets.
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Receive the key
Product key and instructions arrive by email once your payment is confirmed.
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Install and activate
Install the system and activate the licence through official Microsoft channels, following the instructions you receive.
FAQ
Answers before you buy
Are CALs included in the price?
No. Windows Server requires a Client Access Licence for every user or device using the server, and it is not part of this licence. CALs are bought separately and cover your whole environment rather than a single server.
What if my server has more than 16 cores?
The licence covers 16 cores. If your server has more, every physical core must be licensed, so you buy additional licences. Microsoft requires a minimum of 16 licensed cores per server.
How many virtual machines can I run?
Standard edition grants two operating system environments (or Windows containers with Hyper-V isolation) once every physical core in the server is licensed. Beyond that you need additional licences.
What exactly do I receive?
You receive the licence key and instructions by email once your payment is confirmed. Delivery is digital only: no physical media is shipped.