Windows Server is the operating system that powers the vast majority of enterprise servers worldwide — Active Directory, file sharing, virtualisation, DNS, DHCP, Remote Desktop Services, and the foundation for applications like SQL Server, Exchange and SharePoint. It is the backbone of IT infrastructure for businesses of every size.

At La Tienda de las Licencias you can buy genuine Windows Server licence keys with savings of up to 90% compared to the official Microsoft price. All our licences are original Microsoft product keys from legitimate enterprise software surplus. Their resale is fully legal within the European Union under CJEU ruling C-128/11. We ship worldwide and accept local payment methods in the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya, Nigeria and 30+ other countries.

Our Windows Server catalogue

All Windows Server licences below are available for instant delivery. Prices are displayed in your local currency.

Server operating system licences

Client Access Licences (CALs)

In addition to the server licence itself, each user or device that accesses Windows Server requires a Client Access Licence (CAL). We sell both User CALs and Device CALs.

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs

Windows Server Standard vs. Datacenter: which do you need?

Both editions share the same core features: Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, file sharing, Hyper-V, IIS, and more. The difference is in virtualisation rights and a handful of advanced infrastructure features.

When to choose Standard

Standard is the right choice for the vast majority of businesses. If you are running a physical server for Active Directory, file sharing, DNS, DHCP, a database (SQL Server), web applications (IIS), or up to 2 virtual machines, Standard does everything you need. It includes all the core Windows Server features and is significantly cheaper than Datacenter. Roughly 85% of Windows Server deployments worldwide use the Standard edition.

When you need Datacenter

Datacenter is for heavily virtualised environments. If you are running a Hyper-V host with more than 2 virtual machines, Datacenter is the only edition that allows unlimited VMs per licence. It also adds Shielded VMs (encrypted virtual machines for multi-tenant security), Storage Spaces Direct (software-defined storage across multiple servers) and full Software-Defined Networking. If you are running 3 or more VMs on one physical server, Datacenter is almost always cheaper than buying multiple Standard licences.

Windows Server 2025 vs. 2022 vs. 2019: version comparison

Choosing the right version depends on when your Microsoft support needs to extend to, which features matter for your environment, and your budget.

Our recommendation for new deployments: Windows Server 2022. It has the most mature feature set, excellent stability, Azure Arc integration, and support until October 2031. If you specifically need Hotpatch (apply security patches without rebooting) or the latest AD improvements, go with 2025. If budget is your primary concern and you do not need features newer than 2019, Server 2019 with support until 2029 offers the best price.

How does Windows Server licensing work?

Core-based licensing

Windows Server is licensed by physical processor cores. The minimum is 16 cores per server (or 8 cores per processor, whichever is higher). Licences are sold in packs of 2 cores or 16 cores. Our licences come with 24 cores included, which covers the vast majority of enterprise servers without needing to buy additional core packs. If your server has more than 24 physical cores, you can add additional 2-core packs.

Client Access Licences (CALs)

Every user or device that accesses Windows Server needs a CAL. There are two types: User CAL (one licence per person, regardless of how many devices they use) and Device CAL (one licence per device, regardless of how many people use it). For most offices, User CALs are the better choice. If you run Remote Desktop Services (terminal server), you also need RDS CALs in addition to the standard CALs.

What you receive with each licence

Every licence includes a genuine Microsoft product key that activates Windows Server permanently. You download the ISO directly from the official Microsoft Evaluation Center or the link we provide, install it, and enter the product key. Activation is permanent — it never expires and never needs renewal.

Legal framework: CJEU ruling C-128/11

The resale of software licences within the European Union is protected by the ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU (case C-128/11, UsedSoft vs. Oracle, July 2012). This ruling established that the principle of exhaustion of the distribution right applies to software acquired legitimately, whether on physical media or by digital download. All our licences come from legitimate enterprise surplus. La Tienda de las Licencias is a registered Spanish company that issues official invoices with full tax details.

Need SQL Server too? Save over 90% on both

If your Windows Server will host a database, you likely need a SQL Server licence as well. The combined official Microsoft price for Windows Server 2022 Standard + SQL Server 2022 Standard exceeds $5,000 USD. Buying both from La Tienda de las Licencias, your combined savings can exceed 90%.

We carry SQL Server Standard and Enterprise licences from 2016 to 2025, plus User CALs and Device CALs. View SQL Server licences

Who buys Windows Server licences from La Tienda de las Licencias?

IT companies, MSPs and system integrators

Managed service providers and IT companies that deploy and manage servers for their clients. They buy Windows Server and CALs at reduced prices and include them in their infrastructure projects. Through our reseller programme, they get an additional 30% discount on Windows Server, SQL Server and RDS.

Small and medium businesses

Companies setting up their first server (or renewing an expired licence) for Active Directory, file sharing, internal applications or databases. The official Microsoft price can be a significant barrier for SMBs. Our prices make proper licencing affordable for businesses of any size.

IT departments preparing for audits

Organisations that need to regularise their server licences before a Microsoft compliance audit. All our licences come with an official invoice that documents the legitimate purchase, backed by the CJEU C-128/11 ruling on software resale rights.

Software resellers and distributors

Computer shops, freelance IT technicians and software resellers who offer licences to their end clients. Our reseller programme offers discounts of up to 30% on Windows Server, SQL Server and RDS, allowing you to resell with your own margin.

How to buy and activate your Windows Server licence

1. Choose your licence

Select the version (2019, 2022, 2025) and edition (Standard or Datacenter) from the products on this page. Remember to add CALs for each user or device that will access the server. Prices are displayed automatically in your local currency.

2. Complete your purchase

We accept multiple payment methods worldwide. Credit/debit card and PayPal are available everywhere. We also offer local payment options:

Kenya: M-Pesa, Airtel Money, credit/debit card (KES)

Nigeria: Bank transfer, card payment (NGN)

Indonesia: GoPay, OVO, DANA, bank transfer, virtual account (IDR)

Malaysia: FPX online banking, e-wallets, card payment (MYR)

United Kingdom: Credit/debit card, PayPal (GBP)

3. Receive your licence by email

Immediately after payment is confirmed, you receive your genuine Microsoft product key by email, together with download links and step-by-step installation instructions.

4. Install and activate

Download the Windows Server ISO from the official Microsoft Evaluation Center (or the link in your email), install and activate with your product key. Activation is permanent — it does not expire and does not need renewal.

Frequently asked questions about Windows Server