Software Licensing · Windows Server
Windows Server 2025 Licence & CALs in Saudi Arabia
Genuine Windows Server 2025, 2022 and 2019 licences, CALs and RDS CALs for your company, supplied through our Saudi distributors. Windows Server 2016 support ends on 12 January 2027. Use our free calculator below or send us your server list, and we will tell you exactly which licences you need.
- Genuine licences
- Correct core and CAL count
- Upgrade and migration by our team
- Aramco CCC ready
16 coresminimum licence per server
12 Jan 2027Windows Server 2016 support ends
150+ companieshelped through Aramco CCC
Windows Server 2016 support ends on 12 January 2027
—days left
After 12 January 2027, Windows Server 2016 gets no more security updates from Microsoft. Servers that stay on 2016 become an easy target for ransomware and a finding in Aramco CCC and NCA ECC assessments.
Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 support has already ended. If you still run 2012, 2016 or older SQL Server and Exchange on them, now is the time to plan the upgrade to Windows Server 2025.
- Upgrade to Windows Server 2025 on your current hardware, if it is supported
- Move to new Dell or HP servers with Windows Server 2025
- Move some workloads to Azure
- Buy Extended Security Updates as a short bridge, where Microsoft offers them
Free Windows Server licence calculator
Enter one physical server. The calculator shows the core licences and CALs Microsoft licensing rules require. Send the result to us on WhatsApp and we confirm it and send a written quotation.
Your licence estimate
Our suggestion:
Estimate only, based on Microsoft core-licensing rules (8 cores per CPU, 16 per server minimum, Standard covers 2 VMs per full licence). We confirm the final count in your quotation.
Send this result on WhatsAppWindows Server 2025 Standard vs Datacenter vs Essentials
| Standard | Datacenter | Essentials | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Physical servers or a few virtual machines | Hosts with many virtual machines | Very small offices |
| Virtual machines | 2 VMs per full licence (stack more licences for more VMs) | Unlimited VMs on the licensed host | 1 VM |
| Licensing | Per core: 16 cores minimum per server | Per core: 16 cores minimum per server | Per server, one CPU up to 10 cores |
| CALs needed | Yes | Yes | No (up to 25 users, 50 devices) |
| Typical choice | Most Saudi SMEs with 1 to 3 servers | Hyper-V or VMware hosts with 10+ VMs | Single small server, few users |
Essentials is sold with new servers (OEM) only. Feature details can change; we confirm them in your quotation.
How Windows Server licensing works
Core licences
Every physical core in the server must be licensed, with at least 8 cores per processor and 16 cores per server. Licences come in 16-core and 2-core packs.
CALs: user or device
Every person or device that uses the server needs a Windows Server CAL. A user CAL is usually better when staff use more than one device; a device CAL suits shared PCs and shift work.
RDS CALs
Users who connect with Remote Desktop to a Windows Server session (for example for an ERP or accounting system) also need a Remote Desktop Services CAL.
CAL version
CALs must match or be newer than the server version. A Windows Server 2025 CAL covers 2025, 2022 and 2019 servers, but a 2022 CAL cannot be used with a 2025 server.
What is new in Windows Server 2025
- Hotpatching through Azure Arc: install many security updates without restarting the server
- Stronger security defaults and Active Directory improvements
- Hyper-V improvements, including GPU partitioning for virtual machines
- SMB over QUIC for secure file access without a VPN
- Supported until 2034 (extended support), much longer than 2016 or 2019
Upgrade and migration to Windows Server 2025
We plan and carry out the move: check your hardware, count licences and CALs, back up with Veeam, upgrade or migrate Active Directory, file servers, ERP and SQL Server, and test everything before your team starts work. Work can be done after hours so your business keeps running.
Companies across Saudi Arabia that trust Waves
Engineering, contracting and industrial companies rely on our team for their servers and IT.
How it works
Send your server list
Number of servers, CPUs, cores, virtual machines, users and current Windows Server versions.
Free licence check
We calculate core licences, CALs and RDS CALs and recommend Standard or Datacenter.
Quotation
You receive a written quotation through our Saudi distributors.
Upgrade or migration
Our engineers install Windows Server 2025, move your roles and data, and test.
Support
We keep your servers updated and remind you before any support deadline.
Genuine Windows Server licences only
Downloaded copies and cheap keys sold online are not licensed for company servers and can be blocked or flagged in a Microsoft licence review. We supply genuine licences with the right number of cores and CALs, so you are covered in audits and in Aramco CCC assessments.
Frequently asked questions
How many core licences do I need for Windows Server 2025?
License every physical core, with a minimum of 8 cores per processor and 16 cores per server. For example, a server with 2 processors of 12 cores needs 24 core licences; a server with 1 processor of 8 cores still needs 16.
What is the difference between Windows Server Standard and Datacenter?
Both have the same core features. Standard covers 2 virtual machines per full licence; Datacenter covers unlimited virtual machines on the licensed host. Datacenter is usually better value from about 10 virtual machines on one host.
Do I need CALs for Windows Server 2025?
Yes. Every user or device that accesses the server needs a Windows Server CAL, and Remote Desktop users also need an RDS CAL. Essentials edition does not need CALs but is limited to 25 users.
Can I use my Windows Server 2022 CALs with Windows Server 2025?
No. CALs must be the same version as the server or newer. Windows Server 2025 CALs work with 2025, 2022 and 2019 servers.
Windows Server 2016 support ends on 12 January 2027. What should we do?
Plan the upgrade now: check whether your hardware supports Windows Server 2025, buy the right licences and CALs, and schedule the migration. Extended Security Updates can be a short-term bridge where available.
Can we upgrade directly from Windows Server 2016 or 2019 to 2025?
In-place upgrade is supported from recent versions, but for business servers we usually recommend a clean installation and migration of roles and data, which is safer and faster to roll back.
Is Windows Server 2025 required for Aramco CCC?
Aramco CCC requires supported, patched systems. Servers on versions that no longer get security updates are a common finding, so upgrading before the support end date helps you pass.
Can I download Windows Server for free?
Microsoft offers a time-limited evaluation version for testing. For company use you need genuine licences and CALs.
Do you also supply the servers?
Yes. We supply Dell and HP servers sized for Windows Server 2025, Hyper-V and SQL Server, and install everything for you.
Get your Windows Server licence quote
Send your server list or the calculator result. We confirm the licences and CALs you need and send a written quotation.
- 📞 +966 58 236 5619
- 💬 +966 58 236 5619
- ✉️ info@wavestelecom.net
- 📍 3266 Adh Dhahran – Al Aqrabiyah, Al Khobar 34446
Request a Windows Server quote
Cybersecurity, compliance & IT partner for Saudi businesses.10 years · 150+ companies certified through Aramco CCC · Certified engineers
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+966 58 236 5619Call or WhatsApp
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Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia3266 Adh Dhahran – Al Aqrabiyah, Al Khobar 34446
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