Windows Server 2025 Datacenter – Retail
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter – Retail
At a glance
Everything you need to know, in plain words.
- Devices1 PCEach licence is for one computer. Need it on more computers? Buy additional licences.
- Licence typePerpetual licencePay once: no subscription, no expiry.
- DeliveryInstantly by e-mailActivation code and download link arrive by e-mail right after payment.
-
Works onWindowsMake sure your computer is of this type.
- LanguageAll languagesChoose English or another language during installation.
- Instantly by e-mailUsually within minutes, for some products within 24 hours
- Pay securelyEncrypted checkout
- Invoice includedWith every order
- Support in 8 languagesDelivery by email · invoice included
Microsoft
Product description
Compatibility and support
Server licensing: the edition, number of physical processor cores, minimum licensing and required Client Access Licences (CALs) must match your environment. A product key alone does not prove full licensing. Hotpatching may involve additional requirements and costs.
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter (Retail) as a perpetual licence for 16 or 24 physical processor cores – the edition for highly virtualised environments: once all physical cores of the server are licensed, you may run an unlimited number of virtual operating system environments. You receive the product key and download link by email within 24 hours.
Who is Windows Server 2025 Datacenter for?
For data centres, hosting providers and businesses with high virtualisation density. If you run many virtual machines on the same hardware or use software-defined storage and networking, Datacenter is often a better fit than several Standard licences.
16 or 24 cores – which option?
Windows Server is licensed per physical processor core. All physical cores of the server must be licensed; Microsoft requires a minimum of 8 cores per processor and a minimum of 16 cores per server. Choose the option that covers the number of cores in your server.
Your benefits
- Unlimited virtual operating system environments per fully licensed server.
- Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica for highly available storage.
- Software-defined networking with Network Controller and load balancing.
- Shielded virtual machines for additional protection of sensitive workloads.
- Perpetual licence with no subscription – buy once, run for good.
New in Windows Server 2025
- Hotpatching: install many security updates without restarting (requires Azure Arc, among other things, and may incur additional costs).
- SMB over QUIC in all editions and improved SMB security.
- Storage Spaces Direct with higher performance, including for NVMe storage.
- Active Directory with a new functional level and better scalability.
System requirements
| Processor | 1.4 GHz, 64-bit (x64), with support for SSE4.2 and POPCNT |
| Memory | 512 MB (Server Core), 2 GB for installation with Desktop Experience |
| Storage | at least 32 GB |
| Network | Ethernet adapter with at least 1 Gbit/s |
| Firmware | UEFI 2.3.1c with Secure Boot (for certain features) |
| Security | TPM 2.0 (for certain security features) |
Licence & activation
You receive a perpetual Retail licence for Windows Server 2025 Datacenter for the selected number of physical cores (16 or 24). Activation takes place online using the product key supplied. For access by users or devices, Microsoft additionally requires Client Access Licences (CALs); user/device CALs and RDS CALs are not part of this offer.
Delivery – what do you receive?
- Product key by email
- Download link and illustrated installation guide
- Invoice
Digital product – no physical shipment. Delivery is made by email within 24 hours of payment being received.
Important information
- Unlimited virtual operating system environments only apply if all physical cores of the server are licensed.
- Client Access Licences (CALs) and RDS CALs must be purchased separately.
- Licensing is core-based with minimum quantities (8 cores per processor, 16 cores per server); please check the number of cores in your server.
- Please note: for digital products, the right of withdrawal may expire once performance has begun – for details, please refer to the withdrawal policy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the licence valid permanently?
Yes, it is a perpetual licence with no expiry date and no subscription.
Which option do I need?
For servers with up to 16 physical cores, the 16-core option is sufficient – it also covers the minimum licensing of 16 cores per server. For 17 to 24 cores, choose the 24-core option; larger servers require additional core licences.
How many virtual machines are covered?
Once all physical cores of the server are licensed, the Datacenter edition covers an unlimited number of virtual operating system environments on that server.
Do I also need CALs?
Yes. For users or devices to access the server, Microsoft requires separate Client Access Licences (CALs), plus RDS CALs for Remote Desktop Services. These are not part of this offer.
How does activation work?
You install Windows Server 2025 Datacenter using the download link supplied and enter the product key. Activation takes place online.
Will I receive an invoice?
Yes, you receive an invoice with every order.
How quickly is it delivered?
Delivery is digital, by email, within 24 hours of payment being received.
Questions before you buy? Contact us.
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