License Requirements for Installing Windows Server Standard 2022 on a Virtual Machine with a Fully Licensed Windows Server Datacenter 2022 Host

Question

Dear Microsoft Support Team,

I would like to inquire whether Windows Server Standard 2022 can be installed on a virtual machine hosted by a physical server that is fully licensed with Windows Server Datacenter 2022.

If so, will I need to purchase additional Windows Server Standard 2022 licenses for the virtual machine?

Thank you for your assistance.

Answer 1

Hello MinMin_09，

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

The core licensing model for Windows Server Datacenter 2022 entitles you to run an unlimited number of Windows Server instances on that licensed host, whether on physical or virtual machines. Therefore, if your physical server is fully licensed with Windows Server Datacenter 2022, you are entitled to run any number of virtual instances of Windows Server without needing additional licenses for those instances.

Specifically, your scenario of installing Windows Server Standard 2022 on a virtual machine hosted by a physical server with Windows Server Datacenter 2022 is covered under the Datacenter licensing. You will not need to purchase additional Windows Server Standard 2022 licenses for virtual machines running on a Datacenter-licensed host.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Haijian Shan

Answer 2

Hello,

I currently have a Windows Server 2022 Datacenter license, and I am running several virtual machines in a VMware ESXi 7 environment. I understand that AVMA (Automatic Virtual Machine Activation) is not compatible with VMware ESXi since this method requires the physical host to be licensed directly with Windows Server Datacenter, which is not possible due to the use of ESXi as the hypervisor.

Given that I need to activate multiple virtual machines running Windows Server 2022 Standard in this environment, I would like to obtain MAK (Multiple Activation Key) licenses to more efficiently manage the activations.

1. What is the process to acquire additional MAK keys?

2. Are there any other activation options you would recommend for this setup?

Any guidance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Claudio Donoso

Answer 3

Hello MinMin_09，

 

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

 

The core licensing model for Windows Server Datacenter 2022 entitles you to run an unlimited number of Windows Server instances on that licensed host, whether on physical or virtual machines. Therefore, if your physical server is fully licensed with Windows Server Datacenter 2022, you are entitled to run any number of virtual instances of Windows Server without needing additional licenses for those instances.

Specifically, your scenario of installing Windows Server Standard 2022 on a virtual machine hosted by a physical server with Windows Server Datacenter 2022 is covered under the Datacenter licensing. You will not need to purchase additional Windows Server Standard 2022 licenses for virtual machines running on a Datacenter-licensed host.

 

I hope the information above is helpful.

 

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

 

Best Regards,

Haijian Shan

Dear Haijian Shan,

Thank you for your timely and comprehensive response.

Your clarification on the licensing model for Windows Server Datacenter 2022 is greatly appreciated. It’s reassuring to confirm that running Windows Server Standard 2022 in virtualized environments under Datacenter licensing does not require additional licenses.

I would like further clarification on the activation process for Windows Server Standard 2022 in these virtual machines. Specifically, does the activation procedure vary depending on the virtualization platform, such as Hyper-V or VMware ESXi, that is being utilized?

Best Regard

Answer 4

Hello  MinMin_09，

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, the activation procedure for Windows Server Standard 2022 can vary depending on the virtualization platform being utilized.

• Hyper-V: You can use Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA), which allows VMs to automatically activate without the need for a product key, as long as they are running on a properly activated Windows Server Datacenter host.
• VMware ESXi: AVMA is not supported. You will need to use other activation methods such as Key Management Service (KMS), Multiple Activation Keys (MAK), or Active Directory-based Activation (ADBA).

Best Regards,

Haijian Shan