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Microsoft Server Essentials 2016 is the Essentials edition of the Microsoft server operating system, designed for small offices: up to 25 users and 50 devices, with no CALs to buy. It includes Active Directory, file server and remote access, with a perpetual license that never expires. The license is delivered with its product key.

Why choose Microsoft Server Essentials 2016

A server exists to centralise what stays duplicated and out of control on a network of scattered computers: accounts, shared folders, permissions, printers, backups. With Active Directory you stop creating a user on every PC and move to a single directory, with policies applied to all workstations.

The Essentials edition removes the CAL calculation, which in an office of ten people weighs more than the license itself: the access right is already included, within the limit of 25 users and 50 devices. In exchange it does not offer the extended virtualisation of the other editions. The 2016 generation introduced Windows containers, Storage Spaces Direct for building shared storage from the servers' internal disks and shielded virtual machines, whose content stays inaccessible even to whoever administers the host.

What Microsoft Server Essentials 2016 is and what it is for

Microsoft Server Essentials 2016 provides the roles a company network rests on: Active Directory Domain Services for users and policies, DNS and DHCP for addressing, the file server with DFS and Storage Spaces, IIS for websites and web applications, print services and Hyper-V for virtual machines.

Extended support for this version runs until January 2027. Unlike the Standard and Datacenter editions, Essentials does not require buying CALs: the access right for the permitted users is already included in the server license.

Key features

• No CALs to buy
  The access right is included in the server license, within the limit of 25 users and 50 devices.
• Active Directory Domain Services
  A single directory of users and computers, with security policies applied to all workstations on the network.
• File server with shared folders
  Centralised document storage with per-user and per-group permissions.
• DNS and DHCP
  Name resolution and automatic address assignment for the whole office network.
• Remote access to resources
  Connection to internal folders and services from outside the office too.
• Centralised print services
  Print queues and drivers distributed by the server to all workstations.
• Server backup and restore
  Scheduled copies of the volumes and full machine recovery in case of failure.
• Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
  Antimalware protection and traffic filtering built in and updated by the system.

Feature overview of Microsoft Server Essentials 2016

Comparison: Windows Server Standard, Datacenter and Essentials

System requirements

Microsoft Server Essentials 2016 requires a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, at least 2 GB of RAM for the installation with a graphical interface and 32 GB of disk space, plus a Gigabit network adapter. In production the resources should be sized on the active roles and the number of virtual machines. For detailed requirements see the "Requirements" tab on the product page.

Why are licenses priced so low?

As these are retail licenses previously owned and decommissioned by the former holder in accordance with EU Court ruling C-128/2011, they can be purchased at a more affordable price. These official licenses are fully compliant and guaranteed at the best price on the market.

What do I receive after purchase?

By purchasing this product you will receive the official download of the software from the Microsoft website, the license for activation and complete instructions for a correct installation.

Advantages of the Licensel License

• Fast delivery by email
  You receive the license and the download link within a few minutes of your order.
• Always free support
  Our technicians assist you via Live Chat and email, at no additional cost.
• Invoice included
  The invoice is issued automatically once the purchase is complete.
• Purchase protected by Trusted Shops
  As a Trusted Shops partner shop, your order is protected by the official buyer guarantee.

How to buy and activate

1. Choose your edition
   Select the version you need and complete your order in a few clicks.
2. Receive the license by email
   Within a few minutes you receive the official download link and the license for activation.
3. Install and activate
   Download the software from the manufacturer's official website and enter the license to complete activation.
4. Support included
   For any question our technicians are available via Live Chat and email.

How to download and install Microsoft Server Essentials 2016

After purchase you receive by email the license and the link to the official download of the Microsoft Server Essentials 2016 ISO image. Prepare a bootable USB stick or mount the image on the server's remote management controller, start the machine from the media and choose between the installation with Desktop Experience and the Core installation without a graphical interface. Once the procedure is complete, enter the license for activation and configure the roles from Server Manager.

Need help with installation?

No problem: our technicians are available via the Live Chat at the bottom right of the website to assist you in real time.