Windows Server 2022

Basic Information

• Model: Windows Server 2022
• Version: Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release. The latest stable build, as of November 2025, is 20348.4405.
• Release Date: August 18, 2021.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, 512 MB RAM (2 GB for Desktop Experience), and 32 GB disk space.
• Supported Operating Systems (as a server): Supports management of various client operating systems including Windows 10 and Windows 11, and integrates with other Windows Server versions.
• Latest Stable Version: Windows Server 2022 LTSC, with continuous security and quality updates. The latest build is 20348.4405 (November 2025).
• End of Mainstream Support Date: October 13, 2026.
• End of Extended Support Date: October 14, 2031.
• End of Life Date: October 14, 2031, aligning with the end of extended support for the LTSC.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: Updates are provided until the end of extended support, October 14, 2031.
• License Type: Core-based licensing model, requiring Client Access Licenses (CALs) for users or devices. Available in Standard, Datacenter, and Essentials editions (Essentials is OEM only). Licensing by virtual machine is available with subscription licenses or active Software Assurance.
• Deployment Model: On-premises, hybrid environments with Azure integration, and cloud-native deployments (Datacenter: Azure Edition).

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 512 MB for Server Core installation; 2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience, with 4 GB recommended. Error-Correcting Code (ECC) type or similar technology is recommended for physical host deployments.
• Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor, compatible with x64 instruction set. Must support NX and DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, PrefetchW instructions, and Second Level Address Translation (EPT or NPT).
• Storage: Minimum 32 GB of available disk space for installation. Additional space is required for updates, roles, applications, and data. PATA drives are not supported.
• Display: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor is required for the Server with Desktop Experience installation option.
• Ports: An Ethernet adapter capable of at least 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) throughput is required. 10 GbE or faster is recommended for high-performance workloads.
• Operating System: Windows Server 2022 itself is the operating system, designed to run on compatible server hardware.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The minimum technical requirements for Windows Server 2022 are quite modest, allowing for basic functionality. However, for practical enterprise deployments, especially those involving virtualization, heavy workloads, or numerous roles, significantly more RAM, faster multi-core processors (e.g., Intel Xeon, AMD EPYC), ample SSD/NVMe storage, and high-throughput network adapters (10 GbE or faster) are essential for optimal performance and scalability. The emphasis on 64-bit architecture and specific CPU features highlights its modern foundation and security capabilities.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Windows Server 2022 (LTSC), with the latest build being 20348.4405 as of November 2025.
• OS Support: Compatible with various Windows client operating systems (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11) for client access and management. It supports integration with other Windows Server versions and hybrid cloud services.
• End of Support Date: Mainstream support ends October 13, 2026, and extended support concludes on October 14, 2031.
• Localization: Supports a wide range of locales, typical for Microsoft enterprise products.
• Available Drivers: Broad hardware compatibility, with drivers typically provided by hardware manufacturers or through Windows Update.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Windows Server 2022, as a Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release, offers a robust and predictable support lifecycle, providing five years of mainstream support followed by five years of extended support. This long-term commitment ensures stability, security updates, and continued compatibility for enterprise environments. Its strong integration capabilities with Azure facilitate hybrid cloud deployments, and its broad support for various client and server operating systems, along with extensive hardware driver availability, makes it a highly compatible and versatile platform for diverse IT infrastructures.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • Secured-core server: Combines hardware, firmware, and operating system capabilities to provide multi-layer protection against advanced threats, including hardware root-of-trust, firmware protection, UEFI secure boot, and Virtualization-based Security (VBS).
  • Secure Connectivity: HTTPS and TLS 1.3 are enabled by default, eliminating obsolete cryptographic algorithms and encrypting more of the handshake. DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) encrypts DNS queries.
  • SMB Security Enhancements: Supports SMB AES-256 encryption, including for SMB Direct and East-West intra-cluster communications. SMB over QUIC is available in Datacenter: Azure Edition for secure remote access without VPN.
  • Advanced Threat Protection: Includes features like Windows Defender Exploit Guard and integration with Windows Defender ATP for enhanced threat detection and mitigation.
  • Container Security: New Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSAs) for Windows containers enhance security for container hosts.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As of November 2025, recent vulnerabilities include a GDI+ Remote Code Execution (CVE-2025-60724) and a Windows Kernel Elevation of Privilege (CVE-2025-62215). A WSUS deserialization vulnerability (CVE-2025-59287) has also been noted.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable for the operating system itself; however, specific services or configurations could be flagged if mismanaged.
• Certifications: Adheres to CIS Benchmarks for secure configuration. Supports FIPS and Common Criteria for compliance.
• Encryption Support: Default support for AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.3, DNS-over-HTTPS, and SMB encryption. Integrates with Azure encryption technologies for hybrid cloud scenarios.
• Authentication Methods: Supports standard Windows authentication mechanisms, including Active Directory, Kerberos, and NTLM, with capabilities for multi-factor authentication (MFA) through integrated solutions.
• General Recommendations: Implement regular security updates, adhere to CIS Benchmarks, leverage Secured-core server features, use strong authentication methods, and monitor for emerging threats.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Windows Server 2022 boasts a strong overall security rating due to its comprehensive, multi-layered security architecture. The "Secured-core server" initiative, combined with modern protocol implementations like TLS 1.3 and DNS-over-HTTPS, significantly hardens the operating system against firmware attacks, network eavesdropping, and data breaches. While new vulnerabilities are continuously discovered, Microsoft's commitment to regular patching and its robust security features, including advanced encryption and threat protection, provide a formidable defense. Adherence to industry standards like CIS Benchmarks further enhances its security posture, making it a highly secure platform for critical enterprise workloads.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Storage & File Server: Achieves NVMe SSD Read Speeds up to 3.5 GB/s (a 67% improvement over Server 2019). SMB Compression offers approximately 30% bandwidth savings, and Storage Replica Sync performs up to 900 MB/s (an 80% improvement over Server 2019).
  • Virtualization (Hyper-V): Demonstrates 15-20% faster VM boot times and improved nested virtualization support, allowing for more concurrent virtual machines per host.
  • Network: TLS 1.3 reduces encryption overhead, and QUIC protocol support enables faster connectivity to Azure services.
  • Disk Performance (vs. Server 2025): In specific disk operations, Windows Server 2022 shows performance for file classification up to 73,000 Files/Sec, disk space analysis up to 128,000 Files/Sec, and file synchronization up to 9,300 Files/Sec with 4 parallel threads.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Optimized to support business-critical and large-scale applications, capable of utilizing up to 48 TB of memory and 2,048 logical cores across 64 physical sockets.
• Power Consumption: While specific power consumption benchmarks are not detailed, the performance improvements and efficiency gains in areas like networking and storage generally contribute to better resource utilization and potentially lower power draw compared to previous versions.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly measured for the operating system itself, but improved efficiency and performance can indirectly contribute to a reduced carbon footprint by optimizing hardware resource usage.
• Comparison with Similar Assets:
  • Vs. Windows Server 2019: Windows Server 2022 offers significant performance improvements in storage I/O, virtualization, and network efficiency.
  • Vs. Linux Server (2025 Tests): Windows Server 2022 shows a 5% performance advantage with SQL Server optimization for data warehousing queries. However, Linux generally outperforms in raw database throughput (8-12% faster) and web server concurrent connections (Nginx on Linux handled 27% more than IIS on Windows). Windows excels in large file operations (15% faster), while Linux is 22% faster with many small files.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Windows Server 2022 demonstrates a strong performance profile, particularly in areas critical for enterprise workloads such as storage, virtualization, and networking. The substantial improvements over its predecessor, Windows Server 2019, make it a compelling upgrade for organizations seeking enhanced efficiency and scalability. While comparisons with Linux servers show varied results depending on the workload—with Windows excelling in Microsoft-specific optimizations and large file operations, and Linux often leading in raw database throughput and web server concurrency—Windows Server 2022 is highly capable of handling demanding business-critical applications and large-scale deployments. Its ability to leverage modern hardware, including high-core count processors and vast amounts of RAM, ensures robust real-world performance.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback generally highlight Windows Server 2022's strengths in several key areas:

• Strengths: Users appreciate the advanced multi-layer security features, particularly the Secured-core server capabilities, which provide robust protection against modern threats. The improved hybrid cloud integration with Azure is frequently cited as a major advantage, simplifying management and extending on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. Enhanced performance and scalability, especially in storage and virtualization, are also well-received, enabling better handling of demanding workloads.
• Weaknesses: While not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets, common feedback for enterprise operating systems often includes concerns about licensing complexity and cost, as well as the learning curve for new features.
• Recommended Use Cases: Windows Server 2022 is highly recommended for running business-critical workloads, including SQL Server and other large-scale applications. It is ideal for organizations building or expanding hybrid cloud environments, modernizing applications with containers, and managing Active Directory-centric infrastructures. Its robust security makes it suitable for environments with stringent compliance and security requirements.

Summary

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 is a robust and highly secure operating system designed for modern enterprise environments. Its key strengths lie in its advanced multi-layered security, particularly the innovative Secured-core server features, which provide comprehensive protection from hardware to application layers. The operating system offers significant performance enhancements over its predecessors, especially in storage I/O, virtualization, and network efficiency, making it well-suited for demanding business-critical applications and large-scale deployments. Its seamless hybrid cloud capabilities with Azure integration enable organizations to extend their on-premises infrastructure and leverage cloud services effectively.

The long-term servicing channel (LTSC) provides a stable platform with extended support until 2031, ensuring longevity and consistent security updates. While the licensing model can be complex, it offers flexibility for various deployment scenarios, including physical and virtualized environments. Performance benchmarks indicate strong capabilities for typical server workloads, although specific comparisons with Linux may show varied results depending on the application.

Overall, Windows Server 2022 is a highly recommended asset for organizations prioritizing security, performance, and hybrid cloud integration. It provides a solid foundation for modernizing IT infrastructure, supporting critical applications, and maintaining a secure operational environment.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.