Windows Server 2022 is the thirteenth major version of the Windows NT operating system produced by Microsoft to be released under the Windows Server brand name. It was announced at Microsoft's Ignite event from March 2–4, 2021.[4] It was released on August 18, 2021,[1][3] almost 3 years after Windows Server 2019, and a few months before the Windows 11 operating system.
Windows Server 2022 is based on the "Iron" codebase, unlike Windows 10 21H2, which is based on the "Vibranium" codebase like its predecessor 20H2; this renders the updates between Windows 10 21H2 and Windows Server 2022 incompatible.[5] Like its predecessor, Windows Server 2019, it requires x64 processors.
It was succeeded by Windows Server 2025 on November 1, 2024.[6]
History
Microsoft announced Windows Server 2022 on February 22, 2021, scheduled for March 2.[4] On March 3, Microsoft started distributing preview builds on Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 reached general availability on August 18, 2021.[1][3]
Features
Windows Server 2022 has the following features:[7][8]
Security
- Enhanced boot-time security via TPM 2.0 and System Guard (a component of Microsoft Defender Antivirus)[9]
- Credential Guard[10]
- Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI)[10]
- UEFI Secure Boot[7]
- Protection against malicious attacks via the DMA path[9]
- DNS over HTTPS[7]
- AES-256 encryption of SMB traffic[7]
- SMB over QUIC instead of TCP[9]
Storage
- Storage Migration Service (SMS)
- Compression of SMB traffic
Cloud
- Azure hybrid capabilities[clarification needed]
Software
Editions
- Only available through Microsoft OEM partners[11]
- Intended for small businesses
- Supports a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices
- Requires no client access licenses (CALs)[12]
- Intended for physical or weak VCC environments
- Only two virtual machines and one Hyper-V host are deemed usable.[8][13][14]
- Intended for highly virtualized data centers and cloud environments
- Designed for the Microsoft Azure platform[8]
Hardware requirements
References
- ^ a b c d "Windows Server release information". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. December 23, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
- ^ "July 14, 2026—KB5099540 (OS Build 20348.5386)". Microsoft Support. Microsoft.
- ^ a b c "Windows Server 2022". Microsoft Lifecycle. Microsoft. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
- ^ a b "Announcing Windows Server 2022—now in preview". Microsoft Windows Server Blog. March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Bowden, Zac (December 14, 2020). "Microsoft releases final Windows 10 'Iron' build to Insiders in the Dev Channel". Windows Central.
- ^ Woolsey, Jeff. "Introducing Windows Server 2025!". Microsoft Tech Community. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "What's new in Windows Server 2022". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
- ^ a b c d "10 New Things in Windows Server 2022 to Know". Geekflare. November 11, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Windows Server 2022 has Very Interesting Security Features". Altaro DOJO. October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ a b "Protect your infrastructure with Secured-core server". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Windows Server 2022 Licensing & Pricing | Microsoft". www.microsoft.com. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ a b Simon Bisson (September 30, 2021). "Windows Server 2022: A cheat sheet". TechRepublic. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Posey, Brian (January 28, 2022). "Compare the features in the Windows Server 2022 editions". TechTarget. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "Pricing and licensing for Windows Server 2022". Microsoft. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "Hardware requirements for Windows Server". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. December 23, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
