DETERMINE YOUR LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Soft & Cloud Licence Configurator

Windows Server licensing follows clear but complex rules: if you get your calculations wrong, you will either pay too much or risk being found to be under-licensed during an audit. With our Windows Server Licence Configurator, you can calculate your specific requirements quickly, easily and in compliance with the rules – for Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 in either the Standard or Datacentre Edition.

Microsoft’s core-based licensing is based on four binding rules: each physical processor counts as having at least eight cores, and each server as having at least 16 cores. All active cores must be fully licensed – only then does the Standard Edition receive two VM licences, whilst the Datacentre Edition receives an unlimited number. For every two additional VMs, the Standard Edition must be fully licensed again.

Simply enter the number of your physical servers, processors and cores. The Windows Server Licence Calculator automatically takes into account all four of Microsoft’s licensing rules and shows you exactly how many core licences you need – including a note on the required Client Access Licences (CALs). The result provides the ideal basis for your subsequent, non-binding licence enquiry.

The licence configurator already takes these specifications into account automatically. Here is a brief summary of the four rules:

Rule No. 1: Each physical processor is counted as having at least eight cores.
Rule No. 2: Each physical server is counted as having at least 16 cores.
Rule No. 3: Taking into account Rules 1 and 2, all physical and active cores must be fully licensed. Only then does the Standard Edition receive two virtualisation licences and the Datacentre Edition receive unlimited virtualisation licences.
Rule No. 4: For every two additional virtualisation rights, all physical and active cores must be relicensed in accordance with Rules 1 and 2 for the Standard Edition.