License Download Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Standard Multi Language 64bit DVD

Minimal System Requirements for Windows Server 2016

The following table shows the minimum requirements for Windows Server 2016.The actual requirements depend on the system configuration and the installed applications and features.

Edition comparison by server roles

The Windows Server 2016 editions differ in the following server roles:

^{(1) Limited to the setting up of certification authorities - other features of the Active Directory Certificate Services (Network Device Enrollment Services, Online Responder Service)) are not available. More information can be found in the description of the AD CS role on TechNet.}

^{(2) Must be the root of an ADDS domain structure and must own all operating master roles.}

^{(3) Access requires an additional AD RMS CAL.}

^{(4) Data deduplication is not available.}

^{(5) Limited to 50 RRAS connections and 50 IAS connections; DirectAccess and VPN are supported.}

^{(6) Access requires an additional RDS CAL (exception: using the Remote Web Access feature of the Essentials Edition).}

^{(7) Only RD Gateway service is installed and configured, other remote services (including RD session host) are not supported.}

Edition comparison by new features

The Windows Server 2016 editions differ in the following features:

The editions are suitable for the following application areas:

Edition	Ideal for...	Visualization rights	Licensing model	Client Access Licenses	RAM Limit	CPU Limit	Versions
Essentials	Small businesses with basic IT requirements; very small or no IT department	no, one physical or one virtual installation	CPU-based	CALs not required * (limited to 25 users / 50 devices)	64 GB RAM	max. 2 CPUs
Standard	For all companies that require advanced features and virtualize to a lesser extent	2 virtual machines ** or 2 Hyper-V Container	Core-based	CALs required ***	24 TB RAM	512 Cores
Datacenter	For all companies with high requirements on IT workloads with large number of virtual systems	unlimited virtual machines and Hyper-V Container

^{(*) An RDS CAL is required to access Remotedesktop.}

^{(**) The Windows Server Standard Edition license allows 2 OSEs (Operating System Environments) when all physical cores are licensed.}

^{(***) CALs are required for every user or device, which connects directly or indirectly to a server. Details can be found on the Microsoft website in the area Client Access Licenses and Management Licenses.}