Azure Hybrid Benefit

Question

Azure Hybrid Benefit

Handian Sudianto 6,071

How Azure Hybrid Benefit work both for Windows and SQL license?

Should we apply our own license to the windows or SQL in azure?

1 answer

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Answer 1

Andreas Baumgarten 122.3K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Hi @Handian Sudianto ,

if you have available "on-premises" licenses for Windows Server or/and SQL Server that are eligible for Hybrid Benefit in Azure it makes sense to use them in Azure. But the licenses must fulfil some criteria/requirements.

Please take a look here for more details: Azure Hybrid Benefit

SQL Server and Windows Server core licenses with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription core licenses have Azure Hybrid Benefit eligibility in Azure, including:

Windows Server Datacenter edition.

Windows Server Standard edition.

SQL Server Enterprise Edition.

SQL Server Standard Edition.

If you don't have Software Assurance, please work with your Microsoft account team or a Cloud Service Provider partner. The offer is available in all Azure regions.

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards

Andreas Baumgarten

Markapuram Sudheer Reddy 1,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-15T07:32:02.6666667+00:00

Hi Handian Sudianto,

In continuation to the response of Andreas Baumgarten,

Azure Hybrid Benefit enables to use the qualifying on-premises licenses to get Windows virtual machines (VMs) on Azure at a reduced cost. It works by letting you use your on-premises Software Assurance or subscription-enabled Windows Server and SQL Server licenses on Azure.

This licensing benefit can significantly reduce your Azure costs by applying the licenses you’ve already paid for.

Please check below documentation for more information:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/azure-hybrid-benefit?tabs=azure

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/azure-hybrid-benefit?view=azuresql&tabs=azure-portal

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/itopstalkblog/what-is-azure-hybrid-benefit/1764400

If the information is helpful, please click on "Upvote"

If you have any queries, please do let us know, we will help you.
Handian Sudianto 6,071 Reputation points

2025-05-16T01:40:51.5166667+00:00
hi @Andreas Baumgarten , @Markapuram Sudheer Reddy

What happen if we have windows license but not have windows assurance?

If AHB enabled this mean we still key in the product key to each VM? How if we enable the AHB for Azure SQL, where we can key in the product key?

In Azure Local environment the VM guest need license?
Andreas Baumgarten 122.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-05-16T07:58:45.27+00:00

Hi @Handian Sudianto ,

existing licenses without active Software Assurance are not eligible to use for Hybrid Benefit (as far as I know).

The product key for Azure Windows VMs and/or Azure SQL VMs are provided with Hybrid Benefit the same as without Hybrid Benefit. There is no difference with the Product Key and activation.

Regarding the Azure Local please take a look here:

Activate Windows Server VMs on Azure Local

Azure verification for VMs on Azure Local

Azure Hybrid Benefit for Azure Local

(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards

Andreas Baumgarten
Handian Sudianto 6,071 Reputation points

2025-05-17T11:16:22.2266667+00:00

hi @Andreas Baumgarten

The product key for Azure Windows VMs and/or Azure SQL VMs are provided with Hybrid Benefit the same as without Hybrid Benefit. There is no difference with the Product Key and activation.

This mean we still to enter the product key in each VM with our own license right even use AHB or not?

The different is if we enable the AHB we will get the discount.
Markapuram Sudheer Reddy 1,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-19T04:09:23.3533333+00:00

Hi Handian Sudianto,

The licence for Windows Server is covered by Azure Hybrid Benefit, so you only need to pay for the base compute rate of the VM. To qualify for Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server, you need on-premises core licences for Windows Server from an applicable programme with active Software Assurance or qualifying subscription licences.

Please check the workaround followed here for more information:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/76359972/how-to-activate-my-windows-server-license-on-an-existing-azure-vm

Reference:

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-in/pricing/hybrid-benefit/#faq

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/hybrid-use-benefit-licensing

If the information is helpful, please click on "Upvote"

If you have any queries, please do let us know, we will help you.
Handian Sudianto 6,071 Reputation points

2025-05-19T23:46:12.37+00:00

As i know if we have one license of window server this mean we can use the license for 2 core.

If i have 2 VM in azure with 4 and 2 core this mean i need 3 window license?

Also if i have 2 VM in azure local with 4 and 2 core this mean i need 3 window license?
Markapuram Sudheer Reddy 1,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-20T09:45:28.85+00:00

Hi Handian Sudianto,

When licensing is based on physical cores, each processor needs to be licensed with a minimum of eight core licenses. Core licenses are sold in packs of two (each pack contains two licenses), and packs of 16 (each pack contains 16 licenses).

When licensing by virtual machine, one license must be assigned for each virtual core allocated to the virtual machine, subject to a minimum of eight licenses per virtual machine. Licensing by virtual machine requires subscription licenses or licenses with Software Assurance.

For Example:

References:

Licensing_brief_PLT_Introduction_to_Microsoft_Core_licensing.pdf

Licensing_guide.pdf

Please check below documentation for more information:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/windows-server

If the information is helpful, please click on "Upvote"

If you have any queries, please do let us know, we will help you.

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