Windows Server Standard 2016

What you get with Windows Server Standard 2016

You get a product key for Windows Server Standard 2016, release 1607, which Microsoft describes as the edition for low-density or non-virtualized servers. A Standard license permits two Windows Server operating system environments on one physical server: two Hyper-V guests on a host that does nothing else, or one installation directly on the hardware. The key arrives by e-mail with the Microsoft download link and installation notes, and you receive the PDF invoice once the order is complete. It is bought once and kept.

Roles and features in Standard 2016

• Active Directory Domain Services, Federation Services and Certificate Services for identity and internal certificates.
• Hyper-V for two Windows Server guests per license, and Windows Server containers.
• File services with DFS, data deduplication, Storage Spaces and Work Folders.
• Windows Server Essentials Experience, a role that brings the Essentials Dashboard, client PC backup and Remote Web Access to a Standard server.
• Remote Desktop Services and IIS, installed as roles when you need them.

Four features are Datacenter-only in 2016: Storage Spaces Direct, Storage Replica, Network Controller and Host Guardian Hyper-V Support for shielded VMs.

Which 2016 edition do you need?

Standard 2016 was the first release licensed per physical core: Microsoft counts every core, with at least 8 per processor and 16 per server. It suits a server that runs its own roles or up to two Windows Server VMs. Hosts with more guests, or anyone who needs the four Datacenter-only features above, should look at Windows Server Datacenter 2016. Buyers who can choose the release freely may prefer Windows Server Standard 2019, which moved Storage Replica into Standard.

Activating Windows Server Standard 2016

1. Download the Windows Server 2016 ISO from the Microsoft link in the e-mail and install Windows Server 2016 Standard, choosing Desktop Experience if you want the graphical shell.
2. Open Settings → System → About and click “Change product key or upgrade your edition of Windows”; enter the key there.
3. Server Core installs use slmgr /ipk and your key, followed by slmgr /ato, in a command prompt run as administrator.
4. For a Desktop Experience evaluation installation, DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:your-key /AcceptEula switches it to the full edition, unless the server is a domain controller.

Our walkthrough for installing and activating Windows Server has the matching screenshots.

System requirements

Questions about Windows Server Standard 2016

Which RDS CALs work with a 2016 session host?

RDS CALs for Windows Server 2016 or any later version. Our Windows Server 2016 RDS 5 User CAL fits a small team; Windows Server CALs are needed as well.

Can I upgrade my Windows Server 2012 R2 server to 2016?

Yes. Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 upgrade to 2016 in place from the installation media, provided you keep the same installation type and language.

Can I add more virtual machines later?

Yes, by licensing all of the server’s cores with Standard again for each extra pair of VMs, or by moving the host to Datacenter.