Versatile server OS with two VM licenses, core infrastructure roles, and Azure hybrid integration for mid-size businesses.
Windows Server 2019 Standard is the mid-tier edition of the Windows Server 2019 family, designed to meet the needs of businesses that require reliable infrastructure with limited virtualization. It includes rights to run up to two Hyper-V virtual machines on licensed physical servers, making it suitable for organizations consolidating workloads onto modern hardware. The OS supports the full complement of Windows Server roles including Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, DHCP, File and Storage Services, IIS (Internet Information Services), and Web Application Proxy. Integration with Azure Backup, Azure File Sync, and Azure Site Recovery enables businesses to extend their existing infrastructure into the cloud affordably.
The Storage Migration Service simplifies the process of migrating legacy Windows Server or Linux Samba file servers to Windows Server 2019, handling inventory, file transfer, and identity cutover automatically. System Insights provides local machine-learning analytics that can forecast resource usage trends to help prevent outages. Improved Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection integration delivers real-time threat detection and response capabilities. Windows Server 2019 Standard also supports Windows Admin Center — a browser-based management console eliminating the need for legacy MMC snap-ins. Server Core installation minimizes attack surface and resource usage for headless deployments. PowerShell 5.1 and compatibility with DSC (Desired State Configuration) facilitate automated, repeatable server provisioning.
| Component | Minimum Specification | Recommended Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1.4 GHz 64-bit | 2.0 GHz+ multi-core |
| RAM | 2 GB | 16 GB for multi-role servers |
| Storage | 32 GB | 200 GB SSD for OS and roles |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet | Dual Gigabit NIC with teaming |
| Firmware | BIOS compatible | UEFI 2.3.1 with Secure Boot |