I have a physical server with a 16-core CPU running Windows Server 2022. On the Hyper-V manager of this physical server, I'm going to install 10 VMs (however, out of these 10 VMs, only 2 will run Windows Server operating system, while the remaining 8 VMs will use other operating systems like Linux, Windows 11, etc.). So, is purchasing 1 x Windows Server 2022 Standard - 16 Core License Pack sufficient, or do I need to purchase the Data Center edition?

AFAIK, for your setup, the Windows Server 2022 Standard - 16 Core License Pack should be sufficient. Windows Server 2022 Standard License covers up to 2 virtual machines (VMs) running Windows Server. This means, with a 16-core license, you are entitled to run two Windows Server 2022 VMs. There is a somewhat similar scenario described at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windowsserver/clarification-on-server-2022-standard-vs-datacenter-licensing/4007327 If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated. hth Marcin

no additional license is required to run Linux VM. Not sure the requirements if hosting windows 11. As you could be liable for compliance penalties, you should check with Microsoft licensing and not trust a response on this forum.

How to calculate Windows Server 2022 license for Hyper V manager with non-WS VM?

Accepted answer

Marcin Policht 26,540 Reputation points MVP

2024-11-22T20:05:32.94+00:00

AFAIK, for your setup, the Windows Server 2022 Standard - 16 Core License Pack should be sufficient. Windows Server 2022 Standard License covers up to 2 virtual machines (VMs) running Windows Server. This means, with a 16-core license, you are entitled to run two Windows Server 2022 VMs.

There is a somewhat similar scenario described at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windowsserver/clarification-on-server-2022-standard-vs-datacenter-licensing/4007327

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin
Please sign in to rate this answer.

1 person found this answer helpful.
Thành Long Đặng 0 Reputation points

2024-11-22T20:38:50.62+00:00

Thank you for your comment. While the 'Windows Server 2022 Licensing guide' states that "When licensed based on the physical cores on a server, Windows Server Standard provides rights to use two operating system environments (physical or virtual OSEs) or Windows Server Containers with Hyper-V isolation and unlimited Windows Server Containers without Hyper-V isolation on that server. When licensed based on physical cores, Standard edition also permits use of the server software in the physical OSE on the licensed server (in addition to two virtual OSEs), if the physical OSE is used solely to host and manage the virtual OSEs," Microsoft doesn't explicitly clarify whether this licensing rule applies exclusively to 'operating system environments' running Windows Server or to all other operating systems. So I'm wondering if I can create an unlimited number of VMs running Linux with a Windows Server Standard license?"

Marcin Policht 26,540 Reputation points MVP

2024-11-22T22:18:20.56+00:00

The relevant information is included in https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/documents/download/Licensing_brief_PLT_Licensing_Windows_Server_for_use_with_virtualization_technologies_Oct2022.pdf

The cost you are referring to is the licensing cost. Licensing in this context applies only to Windows OS

If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin
Sign in to comment

Use comments to ask for clarification, additional information, or improvements to the question.

Share via

How to calculate Windows Server 2022 license for Hyper V manager with non-WS VM?

1 additional answer

Your answer