Windows Server 2022 reached the end of mainstream support on October 13, 2026. It is not end of life: security updates continue until October 14, 2031. But it will get no new features or non-security fixes, which makes this a natural point to decide between staying on 2022 and moving to Windows Server 2025.
This guide compares the two releases on support, features and licensing.
Windows Server 2022 vs 2025 at a glance
| Windows Server 2022 | Windows Server 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | August 2021 | November 2024 |
| Mainstream support ends | October 13, 2026 (ended) | November 13, 2029 |
| Security updates end | October 14, 2031 | November 14, 2034 |
| Hotpatching (updates without reboot) | Datacenter: Azure Edition only | Standard and Datacenter through Azure Arc, as a paid service |
| SMB over QUIC | Azure Edition only | Standard and Datacenter |
| Credential Guard | Manual setup | On by default on supported hardware |
| OpenSSH server | Manual install | Installed by default |
| In-place upgrade from | Up to two versions back | Windows Server 2012 R2 and later |
| Desktop experience | Windows 10 style | Windows 11 style |
What is new in Windows Server 2025
Security
- Credential Guard is enabled by default on devices that meet the requirements.
- SMB signing is required by default for outbound connections, and the SMB client can block NTLM.
- A built-in rate limiter slows down brute-force attempts against SMB.
- OSConfig security baselines apply more than 350 recommended settings by server role.
- Windows LAPS adds automatic account management and readable passphrases.
Active Directory
- A new domain and forest functional level, the first since Windows Server 2016.
- An optional 32k database page size, which lifts long-standing object size limits.
- Delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSA) for moving away from traditional service accounts.
- LDAP over TLS 1.3 and NUMA support for domain controllers with more than 64 cores.
Hyper-V and performance
- Generation 2 virtual machines scale to 2,048 virtual processors and 240 TB of memory.
- GPU partitioning lets several VMs share one GPU, with live migration and failover.
- NVMe storage is tuned for more IOPS and lower CPU use.
- Workgroup clusters allow Hyper-V live migration without an Active Directory domain.
File services and remote access
- SMB over QUIC is no longer limited to Azure Edition. It gives remote users secure file access over the internet without a VPN.
- New Routing and Remote Access installs do not accept PPTP or L2TP by default.
Day-to-day administration
- Windows Terminal and WinGet are included.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are supported for edge and small-office deployments.
- You can upgrade in place across up to four versions, directly from Windows Server 2012 R2.
Reasons to stay on Windows Server 2022
- Application support: some line-of-business software and backup agents are certified for 2022 but not yet for 2025. Check with the vendor first.
- Stability: 2022 is a mature release with five more years of security updates.
- Stricter defaults: the security defaults in 2025, such as required SMB signing, can break connections to old NAS devices and legacy clients until they are reconfigured.
Standard or Datacenter?
The choice is the same in both versions.
- Standard covers a physical server plus two virtual machines per licence. It suits small offices and lightly virtualized hosts. See Windows Server 2025 Standard or Windows Server 2022 Standard.
- Datacenter allows unlimited virtual machines and adds Storage Spaces Direct, Software-Defined Networking and shielded VMs. It suits dense Hyper-V hosts and clusters. See Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Windows Server 2022 Datacenter.
Remember that users or devices connecting to the server also need Client Access Licences (CALs), which are licensed separately from the server itself.
Which should you choose?
- New server or new deployment: choose Windows Server 2025. You get three more years of support and stronger default security.
- Running 2022 without problems: there is no urgency. Plan the move to 2025 around your next hardware refresh.
- Still on 2016 or 2019: skip 2022 and go directly to 2025. Windows Server 2016 reaches end of support on January 12, 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows Server 2022 end of life?
No. Mainstream support ended on October 13, 2026, but it receives security updates until October 14, 2031.
Can I upgrade from Windows Server 2022 to 2025 in place?
Yes. An in-place upgrade keeps roles, settings and data. Take a full backup first and confirm your applications support 2025.
Does a Windows Server 2022 key work on 2025?
No. Each version needs its own licence.
Is hotpatching free in Windows Server 2025?
Outside Azure it requires connecting the server to Azure Arc and a paid hotpatch subscription. Regular monthly updates with a reboot remain free.
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