Windows Server 2022 is the thirteenth and current major long term servicing channel (LTSC) release of the Windows Server operating system by Microsoft Corporation, as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. 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
Version of the Windows NT operating system
Screenshot of Windows Server 2022
DeveloperMicrosoft
Written inC, C++, Rust, C#, Assembly language
OS familyWindows Server
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed-source
General
availability
August 18, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-18)[1]
Latest release21H2 (10.0.20348.2762) (October 8, 2024; 21 days ago (2024-10-08)[2]) [±]
Marketing targetBusiness
Available in110 languages
Update method
Package managerWindows Package Manager
Platformsx86-64
Kernel typeHybrid (Windows NT kernel)
Default
user interface
Windows Shell
LicenseProprietary
Preceded byWindows Server 2019 (2018)
Succeeded byWindows Server 2025 (2024)
Official websitemicrosoft.com/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022
Support status
  • Start date: August 18, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-18)[1]
  • Mainstream support: Until October 13, 2026; 23 months' time (2026-10-13)
  • Extended support: Until October 14, 2031; 6 years' time (2031-10-14)[3]

Windows Server 2022 is based on the "Iron" codebase.[5] Its desktop is similar to Windows 10 version 21H2, but its updates are incompatible with the Windows 10 operating system.[5] Like its predecessor, Windows Server 2019, it requires x64 processors.

It will be succeeded by Windows Server 2025.[6]

History

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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]

In June 2022, as a part of its monthly schedule for preview updates (also known as the "C updates"), Microsoft released KB5014665 to test upcoming fixes for Windows Server 2022. The update aimed to address connectivity issues with RDP, RRAS, SSTP VPN clients, and Wi-Fi hotspots.[7]

 
Microsoft Edge, showing Wikipedia on Windows Server 2022 (The Windows taskbar is visible at the bottom.)

Features

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Windows Server 2022 has the following features:[8][9]

Security

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Storage

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  • Storage Migration Service (SMS)
  • Compression of SMB traffic

Cloud

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Software

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Editions

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Essentials
  • Only available through Microsoft OEM partners[12]
  • Intended for small businesses
  • Supports a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices
  • Requires no client access licenses (CALs)[13]
Standard
  • Intended for physical or weak VCC environments
  • Only two virtual machines and one Hyper-V host are deemed usable.[9][14][15]
Datacenter
  • Intended for highly virtualized data centers and cloud environments
Azure Datacenter

Hardware requirements

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Minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2022[13][16]
Hardware Minimum requirement
CPU 1.4 GHz x86-64 processor
RAM 512 MB for Server Core or 2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience
Hard disk space At least 32 GB free space
Display 1024 x 768 pixels resolution (only required for certain features)
Network
  • A wireless adapter that supports 802.11, or
  • An Ethernet adapter capable of at least 1 Gbit per second throughput, or
  • NIC card with a minimum bandwidth of 1 Gbit[9]
Firmware UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware that supports secure boot (only required for certain features)
Security Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (only required for certain features)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Windows Server release information". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. December 23, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
  2. ^ "October 8, 2024—KB5044281 (OS Build 20348.2762)". Microsoft Support. Microsoft.
  3. ^ a b c "Windows Server 2022". Microsoft Lifecycle. Microsoft. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
  4. ^ a b "Announcing Windows Server 2022—now in preview". Microsoft Windows Server Blog. March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Bowden, Zac (December 14, 2020). "Microsoft releases final Windows 10 'Iron' build to Insiders in the Dev Channel". Windows Central.
  6. ^ Woolsey, Jeff. "Introducing Windows Server 2025!". Microsoft Tech Community. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  7. ^ Sergiu Gatlan (June 24, 2022). "June Windows preview updates fix VPN, RDP, RRAS, and Wi-Fi issues". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d "What's new in Windows Server 2022". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
  9. ^ a b c d "10 New Things in Windows Server 2022 to Know". Geekflare. November 11, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Windows Server 2022 has Very Interesting Security Features". Altaro DOJO. October 22, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Protect your infrastructure with Secured-core server". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. March 2, 2021.
  12. ^ "Windows Server 2022 Licensing & Pricing | Microsoft". www.microsoft.com. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Simon Bisson (September 30, 2021). "Windows Server 2022: A cheat sheet". TechRepublic. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  14. ^ Posey, Brian (January 28, 2022). "Compare the features in the Windows Server 2022 editions". TechTarget. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "Pricing and licensing for Windows Server 2022". Microsoft. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "Hardware requirements for Windows Server". Windows Server Portal. Microsoft. December 23, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via Microsoft Learn.
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