Windows Server 2022 Explained

Windows Server 2022
Logo Size:	200px
Logo Caption:	The logo for Windows Server 2022 featuring the same symbol and font from earlier Windows NT releases such as Windows 8 and 10
Version Of:	Windows NT
Developer:	Microsoft
Family:	Windows Server
Working State:	Current
Source Model:	Closed-source
Ga Date:	^[1]
Marketing Target:	Business
Programmed In:	C, C++, Rust, C#, Assembly language
Language Count:	110
Package Manager:	Windows Package Manager
Supported Platforms:	x86-64
Kernel Type:	Hybrid (Windows NT kernel)
Ui:	Windows Shell
License:	Proprietary
Preceded By:	Windows Server 2019 (2018)
Succeeded By:	Windows Server 2025 (2024)

Windows Server 2022 is the fourteenth 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. It was released on August 18, 2021, almost 3 years after Windows Server 2019, and a few months before the Windows 11 operating system.

Windows Server 2022 is based on the "Iron" codebase.^[2] Its desktop is similar to Windows 10 version 21H2, but its updates are incompatible with the Windows 10 operating system. Like its predecessor, Windows Server 2019, it requires x64 processors.

It will be succeeded by Windows Server 2025.^[3]

History

Microsoft announced Windows Server 2022 on February 22, 2021, scheduled for March 2.^[4] On March 3, Microsoft the company started distributing preview build on Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 reached general availability on August 18, 2021.

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.^[5]

Features

Windows Server 2022 has the following features:^{[6] [7]}

Security

• Enhanced boot-time security via TPM 2.0 and System Guard (a component of Microsoft Defender Antivirus)
• Credential Guard
• Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI)^[8]
• UEFI Secure Boot
• Protection against malicious attacks via the DMA path^[9]
• DNS over HTTPS
• AES-256 encryption of SMB traffic
• SMB over QUIC instead of TCP

Storage

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

Cloud

• Azure hybrid capabilities

Software

• Microsoft Edge

Editions

Essentials:

• Only available through Microsoft OEM partners^[10]
• Intended for small businesses
• Supports a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices
• Requires no client access licenses (CALs)^[11]

Standard:

• Intended for physical or weak VCC environments
• Only two virtual machines and one Hyper-V host are deemed usable.^{[12] [13]}

Datacenter:

• Intended for highly virtualized data centers and cloud environments

Azure Datacenter:

• Designed for the Microsoft Azure platform

Hardware requirements

Minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2022^[14] !Hardware!Minimum requirement

CPU	1.4 GHz x86-64 processor
RAM	2 GB
Hard disk space	At least 32 GB free space
Display	1024 x 768 pixels resolution
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
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)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Windows Server release information . Windows Server Portal . Microsoft Learn . . September 18, 2022 . December 23, 2021.
2. Web site: Microsoft releases final Windows 10 'Iron' build to Insiders in the Dev Channel. Zac. Bowden. December 14, 2020. Windows Central.
3. Web site: Introducing Windows Server 2025!. Microsoft Tech Communoty. Jeff. Woolsey. January 26, 2024.
4. Web site: March 2, 2021. Announcing Windows Server 2022—now in preview. January 12, 2022. Microsoft Windows Server Blog.
5. Web site: June Windows preview updates fix VPN, RDP, RRAS, and Wi-Fi issues. Bleeping Computer. June 24, 2022. Sergiu Gatlan. June 24, 2022.
6. Web site: What's new in Windows Server 2022 . Windows Server Portal . . . January 12, 2022.
7. Web site: November 11, 2021 . 10 New Things in Windows Server 2022 to Know . January 12, 2022 . Geekflare.
8. Web site: Protect your infrastructure with Secured-core server. March 2, 2021. TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM.
9. Web site: 2021-10-22 . Windows Server 2022 has Very Interesting Security Features . 2022-10-16 . Altaro DOJO.
10. Web site: Windows Server 2022 Licensing & Pricing Microsoft . 2022-10-01 . www.microsoft.com.
11. Web site: September 30, 2021 . Simon Bisson . Windows Server 2022: A cheat sheet. January 12, 2022. TechRepublic.
12. Web site: Compare the features in the Windows Server 2022 editions. January 28, 2022. Posey. Brian. TechTarget. January 3, 2023.
13. Web site: Pricing and licensing for Windows Server 2022. Microsoft. January 3, 2023.
14. Web site: December 23, 2021 . Hardware requirements for Windows Server . Windows Server Portal . . . January 12, 2022 .