Microsoft Windows Server licensing per virtual machine terms

What are the new Windows Server licensing rules, exactly?

Firstly, now you are allowed to license Windows Server based on individual virtual machines.

The number of core licenses assigned to a virtual machine equals to the number of cores with a minimum of eight core licenses. So you may not assign less than eight licenses, and if you are a new client, you must buy at least 16 such licenses.

The licenses must be either subscription licenses for Windows Server Standard or Windows Server Datacenter or similar licenses with active Software Assurance. Also, all the Client Access Licenses must be covered by active Software Assurance or be subscription CALs.

Such licenses may travel with this virtual machine from a host to a host freely. You don't have to wait for 90 days. So effectively, Windows Server now has got License Mobility in Server Farms.

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✅ Let's figure out a way to fix your licensing headaches the best way possible, with 🚫 zero BS and 🚫 zero waste.

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Please watch: "Windows Server 2025, Azure Cost Management, FY2024 Results - August 2024 Microsoft Update"
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[Dagussel]

Nice Vide, thank you! 👌 For SPLA this will probably be the same? Except that there are no CAL's?

[katarisreevishnu]

Can you share more elaborated video on these new changes with Illustration comparing with the previous one. Thank you!

[DimiterValov]

HI Alex, Can we mix both types of licensing(per VM and per Host) in the same environment/contract?

[RMPLPRO]

So are there also profit for virtualization hosts with large physical core count. Currently we must license all physical cores which are severly prohibiting especially on EPYC CPUs up to 128core per server.

[salmanshaikh]

Does the same rule apply of licensing per VM of min 8 cores even if Vmotion is enabled?

[drkmccy]

So an 8 core server running 3 VMs....
I purchase a 16 core pack to cover the host and 2 VMs. Can I use my remaining 8 licenses from the pack to license the 3rd VM?

[luizmello]

Hi Alex.
When you say "a new client" what exactly does it mean?
A company with no Microsoft Windows Server licenses on any of its servers or just a new server with no Microsoft Windows server licenses on it?
And does the version matter on that case?
Thank you!