Windows Server IoT 2025
Microsoft Windows Server 2025 delivers the security, performance, and flexibility needed today to be future ready. It gives more productivity with easier networking, faster storage and additional hybrid cloud capabilities, as well as forward-looking security, and AI-ready compute.
Some key improvements include:
- Hybrid: Adapt quickly across hybrid, cloud and edge. Easier to connect to Azure Arc to bridge on-premises and cloud-based servers. Deliver Azure capabilities to your on-premises servers.
- Security: Hardware and software-level security; next-generation Active Directory that improves security and scalability. Enable a tailored security baseline and configure drift protection from the start.
- Modern, future-ready platform: Windows Server 2025 is now easier to upgrade and scale, with better-than-ever app compatibility. Windows Server 2025 desktop brings consistent client and server UI experience, plus conveniences like WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Performance: Faster and easier networking and storage; live hotpatching for reduced downtime; GPU partitioning for inferencing at the edge. Improvements in flash-based storage make Windows Server an even better platform for SQL Server.
Installation options:
- Server Core: This is a smaller installation that includes the core components of Windows Server and supports all server roles but does not include a local graphical user interface (GUI). It is used for “headless” deployments which are managed remotely through Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, or other server management tools..
- Server with Desktop Experience: This is the complete installation and includes a full GUI for customers who prefer this option.
Editions
- Windows Server IoT 2025 Standard: A dedicated server with Active Directory integration (file, print, networking services) or those requiring a connected keyboard, monitor or mouse to perform its dedicated purpose.
- Windows Server IoT 2025 Datacenter: A turnkey solution for highly virtualized datacenters or cloud environments that can consolidate several complex functions into a single server appliance. The solution may require Storage Spaces Direct.
- Windows Server IoT 2025 Telecommunications: A specialized telecommunications application such as PBX, IP PBX, Automated Attendant, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or teleconferencing.
- Windows Server IoT 2025 Storage Standard: A dedicated file server appropriate for Network Attached Storage, Storage Area Network Gateway or another storage solution.
- Windows Server IoT 2025 Storage Workgroup: A small storage solution (for 50 users or less) that does NOT require network infrastructure services (file, print, etc.) or a connected keyboard, monitor or mouse.

Contact Us
Need local assistance for your Microsoft Embedded Solution? Let us know!
Windows Server IoT 2025 SKUs
WS IoT 2025 Standard | WS IoT 2025 Standard CAL-less | WS IoT 2025 Datacenter | WS IoT 2025 Telco | WS IoT 2025 Storage Standard | WS IoT 2025 Storage Workgroup | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Binary compatible to non-IoT SKUs | Yes | N/A | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A |
Max. # supported CPUs | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 | N/A | 1 |
Max. # Cores | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A | |
Maximum RAM | - 4 PB for hosts that support 5-level paging - 256 TB for hosts that support 4-level paging |
- 4 PB for hosts that support 5-level paging | - 4 PB for hosts that support 5-level paging - 256 TB for hosts that support 4-level paging |
- 4 PB for hosts that support 5-level paging - 256 TB for hosts that support 4-level paging |
N/A | N/A |
OS and Application preinstalled | Mandatory, only on new HW (no virtual appliance) | |||||
Line of Business Applications | Not allowed | |||||
Application type | Embedded application for a specific purpose only, cannot be used with other commercial applications | |||||
Client Access License (CAL) required | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No (max. 50 Users) |
Core based licensing | Yes | No | ||||
min. 16 cores per server & min. 8 cores per CPU | max. 1 CPU | |||||
# of virtual instances | 2 | 2 | Unlimited | 2 | 2 | 0 |
# of add. virtual instances with full core re-licensing | +2 (max. 4) | N/A | +2 (max. 4) | +2 (max. 4) | ||
Headless (w/o KVM) | No | No | No | Mandatory | ||
Remote Usage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Remote Management only | N/A | N/A |
Active Directory DC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Active Directory Member | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Support Channel | LTSC, 5 years Mainstream + 5 years Extended Support through Microsoft included | |||||
Software Assurance | Not available via IoT, must be sourced by end user of device |
Client Access Licences