Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard (Core)

Windows Server 2019 Standard (Core): the Standard edition with core-based licensing

Windows Server 2019 Standard (Core) is the Standard edition of Windows Server 2019, which Microsoft licenses by physical processor cores. The edition contains the basic server roles such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Hyper-V and Failover Clustering and is intended for servers that are operated physically or with a few virtual machines. Typical uses are a domain controller on the corporate network or a Hyper-V host for two virtual servers.

Cores, virtual machines and access licences

With core-based licensing, the physical processor cores of the server count. Microsoft requires licences for all physical cores, with a minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 cores per server, even if the server has fewer cores. A fully licensed server may run two operating system environments, i.e. two virtual machines running Windows Server. The physical host may additionally run Windows Server if it is used exclusively to host and manage these virtual machines. For every two additional virtual machines, all cores are licensed again.

Regardless of the cores, every user or device that accesses the server requires a Windows Server CAL, unless the Microsoft Product Terms provide for an exception. Anyone who provides applications or desktops via Remote Desktop Services additionally requires RDS CALs. These access licences are not part of the offer.

Installation options and features

During installation, you choose between Server Core and Server with Desktop Experience. Server Core does without the graphical desktop environment; according to Microsoft, the minimum RAM requirement is 1 GB instead of 2 GB. For applications that require Desktop Experience components under Server Core, Microsoft provides the App Compatibility Feature on Demand for Windows Server 2019, which can be added later via DISM.

For management, Microsoft provides Windows Admin Center, a locally installed browser-based management interface for servers and clusters. Storage Migration Service transfers the data and configuration of older file servers to the new server. With Storage Replica, a volume of up to 2 TB can be replicated to a second server for disaster recovery in the Standard edition. For containers, any number of Windows containers and up to two Hyper-V containers are available.

Difference from Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

The Datacenter edition is intended for hosts with many virtual servers: with fully licensed cores, it permits any number of virtual machines and additionally contains Storage Spaces Direct, shielded virtual machines and Network Controller for software-defined networking. In this case, choose Windows Server 2019 Datacenter.

Buy Windows Server 2019 Standard (Core): licence and scope of delivery

You receive a product key to activate Windows Server 2019 Standard. You select the number of core licences in the product version when ordering; how many cores must be licensed depends on Microsoft's requirements described above. Windows Server 2019 is installed exclusively as a 64-bit version. The scope of delivery includes:

• the product key for Windows Server 2019 Standard (Core)
• the download link for the installation file (all downloads are also available under Software Download)
• instructions for installation and activation (see also Guides and FAQ)
• the invoice with VAT shown separately

Once your payment has been received, your product key is displayed directly on the order confirmation page and also sent to you by email. After that, you can retrieve it again at any time: with a customer account under My Product Codes, without a customer account via the Guest Portal.

If you have any questions about installation or activation, our Support team is available around the clock by email. For several servers and larger environments, there are offers for businesses, schools and public authorities in the B2B Area. You will find further editions and access licences in the category Windows Server and under Operating Systems.

System requirements

Minimum requirements according to Microsoft. Server roles, updates and servers with more than 16 GB of RAM require additional storage space.