Microsoft Revamps License Terms for Windows Server 2022
Microsoft has recently modified the license terms for Windows Server 2022. While the current terms are more user-friendly and have removed some restrictions, Microsoft has not issued any press release or blog post about the matter.
Relaxed Benefit Conditions
The licenses for Windows Server Standard Datacenter and Essentials have undergone three significant changes. Firstly, Microsoft has loosened the conditions for using the Azure Hybrid Benefits model. With this, existing Windows server licenses can be moved to the Azure cloud, and customers no longer need to own at least 16 Windows server licenses to do so.
Secondly, Microsoft has eliminated the denomination previously applied to conditions. Previously, eight Windows Server Core licenses always had to be transferred simultaneously, and in the past, 24 licenses were required for a virtual machine with twenty cores. This is no longer the case.
Lastly, anyone who obtains their Windows server license through a cloud service provider software subscription will also be able to run data center images on virtual machines with a standard license in the future.
Limited Publicity
Despite the changes to license terms, Microsoft has yet to make any official statement. The alterations have gone unnoticed, with only two blogs – Cloudy with a chance of licensing and Licensing school – initially reporting on the changes.
These adjusted license conditions can be found in the summary of the Microsoft License Center. The manufacturer’s reasons for relaxing the licenses remain unknown.
