Windows Server 2019 vs 2022: What’s Different and Which Should You Buy?
The main Windows Server 2019 vs 2022 differences are what 2022 adds, including Secured-core server, TLS 1.3 on by default, and SMB compression.
Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 are both Long-Term Servicing Channel releases of Microsoft’s server operating system. Microsoft describes Windows Server 2022 as “built on the strong foundation of Windows Server 2019,” so the two share the same core roles, the same management tools, and the same way of licensing.
This guide sets out what Microsoft lists as new in Windows Server 2022, what stays the same, and the one licensing detail that catches people out when they run both versions: CALs.
The quick answer
Both versions come in Standard and Datacenter editions, use the same per-core licensing with CALs, give Standard two VMs and Datacenter unlimited VMs, and run the same everyday roles: Active Directory, file and print, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, IIS, and Remote Desktop Services.- Windows Server 2022 adds security features (Secured-core server support, TLS 1.3 on by default, DNS-over-HTTPS, SMB AES-256 encryption), SMB compression, storage and container improvements, Microsoft Edge in place of Internet Explorer, and a third edition, Datacenter: Azure Edition.
- The CAL rule: a Windows Server 2019 server accepts 2019, 2022, or 2025 CALs. A Windows Server 2022 server needs 2022 or 2025 CALs.
If your network already runs Windows Server 2019, your line-of-business software is certified for 2019, or you already own 2019 CALs, Windows Server 2019 is a sound choice. If you want the 2022 features below, choose Windows Server 2022.
What stays the same
| Windows Server 2019 | Windows Server 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Editions sold for your own servers | Standard, Datacenter | Standard, Datacenter (plus Datacenter: Azure Edition for Azure) |
| Licensing model | Per core + CALs | Per core + CALs |
| Minimum core licenses | 8 per processor, 16 per server | 8 per processor, 16 per server |
| Standard VM rights | 2 VMs + Hyper-V host | 2 VMs + Hyper-V host |
| Datacenter VM rights | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Datacenter-only features | Storage Spaces Direct, Network Controller, Host Guardian Hyper-V Support | Same three |
| Installation options | Server Core or Desktop Experience | Server Core or Desktop Experience |
| Minimum hardware (Microsoft) | 1.4 GHz 64-bit CPU, 2 GB RAM (Desktop Experience), 32 GB disk | Same |
Because the hardware minimums are the same, a server that meets Microsoft’s requirements for one version meets them for the other. Microsoft does list extra hardware requirements if you want to use Secured-core server features in 2022, such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and DMA protection.
For the roles and features in each Windows Server 2019 edition, see the 2019 view of Microsoft’s Comparison of Windows Server editions page.
What Microsoft added in Windows Server 2022
These features are from Microsoft’s “What’s New in Windows Server 2022” page and apply to all editions unless noted.
Security
- Secured-core server. With certified Secured-core hardware, Windows Server 2022 uses hardware root-of-trust (TPM 2.0), firmware protection, UEFI Secure Boot, and virtualization-based security.
- HTTPS and TLS 1.3 enabled by default.
- DNS-over-HTTPS in the DNS client, to encrypt DNS queries.
- SMB AES-256 encryption, plus encryption for SMB Direct (RDMA) and controls for encrypting traffic within a failover cluster.
Files, storage, and networking
- SMB compression, which compresses files as they move over the network.
- Storage Migration Service improvements, including migrating local users and groups, migrating from Linux Samba servers and NetApp CIFS servers, and migrating to or from failover clusters.
- Storage bus cache for Storage Spaces on standalone servers.
- ReFS file-level snapshots.
- UDP and TCP networking improvements, plus Hyper-V virtual switch improvements.
Management, virtualization, and apps
- Azure Arc setup built in, for managing on-premises servers from Azure.
- Windows Admin Center reporting on Secured-core features.
- Nested virtualization on AMD processors.
- Task Scheduler and Hyper-V Manager available for Server Core through the App Compatibility Feature on Demand.
- Microsoft Edge included, replacing Internet Explorer, on Server with Desktop Experience.
- Container improvements, including a smaller Server Core container image and group Managed Service Accounts without a domain-joined container host.
Memory limits
Microsoft’s locks-and-limits tables list a 24 TB maximum RAM for Windows Server 2019. For Windows Server 2022, Microsoft lists up to 4 PB on hosts that support 5-level paging, or 256 TB on hosts with 4-level paging.
Datacenter: Azure Edition
Windows Server 2022 adds a third edition, Datacenter: Azure Edition. Microsoft describes it as a VM-only edition with features such as Hotpatch, SMB over QUIC, and Azure Extended Network, and it runs on Azure and Azure Local. If you need it, request a quote.
The CAL rule when you run both versions
If you run Windows Server 2019 and 2022 servers side by side, the CALs you buy matter. Microsoft’s licensing guidance sets out which CALs cover which servers:
| CAL version | Windows Server 2019 | Windows Server 2022 | Windows Server 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 CAL | Yes | No | No |
| 2022 CAL | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2025 CAL | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In practice:
- Only 2019 servers? 2019 CALs, or newer CALs, cover your users or devices.
- Any 2022 server on the network? The people or devices using it need 2022 (or 2025) CALs. Those same CALs also cover your 2019 servers.
Remote desktop access needs RDS CALs on top of the regular CALs. See User CAL vs Device CAL and RDS CALs explained for the details.
Which version fits your business?
Choose Windows Server 2019 if…
- Your other servers run Windows Server 2019 and you want matching versions across the network.
- Your accounting, ERP, or line-of-business software vendor certifies Windows Server 2019.
- You already own Windows Server 2019 CALs and want to keep using them.
- The 2019 feature set covers your roles, such as a domain controller, file server, or Hyper-V host.
Choose Windows Server 2022 if…
- You want Secured-core server features on certified hardware, TLS 1.3 by default, DNS-over-HTTPS, or SMB AES-256.
- You move large files over slower links and want SMB compression.
- You run AMD-based Hyper-V hosts and need nested virtualization.
- Your software vendor certifies Windows Server 2022.
Either way, the edition choice works the same way: Standard for physical or lightly virtualized servers, and Datacenter for many VMs. See our edition guides for Windows Server 2019 Standard vs Datacenter and Windows Server 2022 Standard vs Datacenter. Comparing newer versions too? Read Windows Server 2025 vs 2022.
Windows Server 2019 and 2022 at Solved IT Services
Windows Server 2019: Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard 16 Core License or Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Datacenter 16 Core License- Windows Server 2022: Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Standard 16 Core License Key | Activation Key or Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 16 Core License
- CALs: Windows Server 2019 5 User CALs, Windows Server 2022 5 User CALs, or Windows Server 2022 5 Device CALs
- Browse everything in Windows Server.
Licensing several servers, a larger core count, or a mix of versions? Request a quote and we’ll put it together. After you order, follow the installation and activation steps included with your order.
Frequently asked questions
Windows Server 2022 builds on Windows Server 2019. It adds Secured-core server support, TLS 1.3 on by default, DNS-over-HTTPS, SMB AES-256 encryption, SMB compression, storage and container improvements, nested virtualization on AMD processors, and Microsoft Edge in place of Internet Explorer. Licensing, VM rights, and the core server roles work the same way in both.
Yes. Both are licensed per physical core, with at least 8 core licenses per processor and 16 per server, plus CALs for users or devices. In both versions, Standard covers two VMs and Datacenter covers unlimited VMs on a fully licensed server.
Yes. Microsoft lists the same minimums for both: a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 2 GB of RAM for Server with Desktop Experience, and 32 GB of disk space. Secured-core server features in 2022 need extra hardware, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
No. Microsoft’s licensing guidance shows that 2019 CALs cover Windows Server 2019 only. A Windows Server 2022 server needs 2022 or 2025 CALs, and those CALs also cover Windows Server 2019 servers.
Yes. Both versions can run side by side. Just make sure your CALs match the newest server version that people access. For example, 2022 CALs cover both 2022 and 2019 servers.
Yes, when it fits your setup. Windows Server 2019 is a good match if your other servers run 2019, your software vendor certifies it, or you already own 2019 CALs. It includes the same core roles as 2022, such as Active Directory, file and print, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V, and Remote Desktop Services.
No. Microsoft’s edition comparison lists Standard and Datacenter for Windows Server 2019. Datacenter: Azure Edition was added with Windows Server 2022, and Microsoft describes it as a VM-only edition for Azure and Azure Local.
Questions about Windows Server?
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