Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Standard Edition (64-Bit, 16-Core, OEM, DVD)

I'm surprised B&H stocks this

Color me surprised. I needed a copy of Server 2025 for a client who needed a new server built to replace an ancient Server 2012 R2 box. With the current RAM shortages, Storage Crunches, and demand from AI and Data Center, it has proven difficult to get reasonable server pricing, or for that matter, a complete quote that a vendor could process a quote into a sale. Turns out we live in an era where charging $3,300+ for a dual core consumer-grade Pentium processor in a server chassis is acceptable, as well as selling tower servers without RAM. Not in my book! I ended up having to purchase a used Workstation with semi-proper hardware (Xeon processor, redundant Data Center grade disks, SSD, and ECC memory) and get a copy of Windows Server due to Microsoft's licensing agreements. I'm surprised B&H actually stocks these for easy purchase, as you normally have to set up an account with, and go through a VAR to get this software. Having a physical copy of the software, and a physical key is very important for a small business should Microsoft ever come knocking. Thanks for selling this, and for not marking up the product beyond the MSRP! Windows Server does what it is supposed to do, to be honest. There are definitely plenty of quirks with Server 2025 that take getting used to. Such as the changes to the way Active Directory (doesn't) work, and Storage Spaces configuration being a broken mess if you go through the wrong place. As well as Windows Activation being broken due to a bug with the March 2026 Cumulative Updates. But once you get Windows Server set up, it's reliable and dependable. I generally advise using Linux instead of Windows, but in this case my client has some hard dependencies on Windows, like Microsoft SQL Server 2022+ and their vendor's software only supporting Windows. Don't forget to purchase a Client Access License along with this if you are planning to host applications internally or allow others to use RDP sessions on Windows Server. Microsoft will ask for proof of a CAL if you happen to get audited. For my client's case, the Windows Server is hosting some Samba shares, a Database, and a Windows application with no more than three workstations. I purchased a 5 device CAL (the minimum CAL license for Windows) since they do not have distinct users to deal with, but instead use shared terminals.