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Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter 4-Core License — main product image
Microsoft

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter 4-Core License

Expand your Windows Server 2025 Datacenter deployment with this 4-core add-on license for high-density virtualization workloads.

$1,899.99*
✓ In Stock on Amazon.com
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 28, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Datacenter 4-Core License is an add-on core pack designed for organizations that need to license additional processor cores on servers already running Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Edition. Since Microsoft moved to core-based licensing, each physical server requires a minimum of 16 cores to be licensed, with additional packs needed to cover every core in multi-processor or high-core-count systems. This 4-core pack lets administrators incrementally scale their licensing to match their hardware configuration.

As a Datacenter Edition license, this pack contributes toward unlimited Windows Server virtual machine rights on the host server — a critical advantage for organizations running dense virtualization workloads with Hyper-V. It is important to understand that this is a medialess, keyless add-on; a base Windows Server 2025 Datacenter license that includes installation media and a product key must be purchased separately. Given the prevalence of counterfeit software licenses, Microsoft emphasizes purchasing only from authorized resellers to ensure compliance and support eligibility.

Key Features

Core-based licensing | Add to Windows Server 2025 Datacenter to license all processor cores.

No media, no key | Base license with media and key required

Beware of counterfeits | Genuine Windows Server software is branded by Microsoft only.

Specifications

Product
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Edition
License Type
4-Core Add-On Pack
Licensing Model
Core-Based
Media Included
No
Product Key Included
No
Base License Required
Yes
Virtualization Rights
Unlimited (Datacenter)
Publisher
Microsoft

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Enables granular core-based licensing so you only pay for the cores you actually need beyond the base requirement
  • Datacenter edition provides unlimited virtualization rights on the licensed physical server
  • Supports the latest Windows Server 2025 security and performance improvements
  • Flexible add-on model lets you scale licensing incrementally as you add processors

👎 Cons

  • Requires a separate base license with media and key — this pack alone cannot activate or install anything
  • Core-based licensing can become expensive on servers with high core counts
  • Only covers 4 cores per pack, so licensing a modern multi-core processor requires purchasing several packs
  • No downgrade rights to Standard edition — you must purchase the correct edition upfront

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a 4-core add-on license. You must already own a Windows Server 2025 Datacenter base license with media and product key before purchasing this.
No. This is a medialess, keyless core pack. The base license (purchased separately) provides the installation media and activation key.
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter requires a minimum of 16 cores licensed per physical server. You would need enough 4-core packs to cover all processor cores, with 16 cores as the minimum.
Datacenter edition includes unlimited Windows Server virtual machine rights on the licensed host, along with advanced features like shielded VMs and software-defined networking. Standard edition limits you to two VM instances per license.
Genuine Windows Server software is branded by Microsoft only. Purchase from authorized Microsoft resellers and verify the licensing through Microsoft's Volume Licensing Service Center.

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