Compare features in Windows Server versions

Windows Server Comparison Guide

View the security, infrastructure, and application workload features of Windows Server 2019 as compared to previous versions.
 View the complete feature comparison guide
 Shop Windows Server 2019

Windows Server
2008/2008 R2

Windows Server
2012/2012 R2

Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2019

EXTENDED SUPPORT END DATE

1/20/2020

10/10/2023

1/12/2027

1/9/2029

EXTENDED SUPPORT END DATE

1/20/2020

10/10/2023

1/12/2027

1/9/2029

Physical (host) memory support

Up to 4 TB per physical server

Up to 4 TB per physical server

Up to 24 TB per physical server (6x)

Up to 64 TB per physical server (6x)

Physical (host) logical processor support

Up to 320 LPs

Up to 320 LPs

Up to 512 LPs

Up to 512 LPs

Virtual machine memory support

Up to 1 TB per virtual machine

Up to 1 TB per virtual machine

Up to 12 TB per virtual machine (12x)

Up to 12 TB per virtual machine (12x)

Virtual machine virtual processor support

Up to 64 VPs per virtual machine

Up to 64 VPs per virtual machine

Up to 240 VPs per virtual machine (3.75x)

Up to 240 VPs per virtual machine (3.75x)

Security

win server not included Windows Server Comparison Not Supported     win server partial Windows Server Comparison Limited Support     win server included Windows Server Comparison Fully Supported

Feature description

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2019

Enhanced Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Shielded Virtual Machines for Windows

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Shielded Virtual Machines for Linux

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

HGS offline mode for shielded VMs

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

VM Connect for shielded VMs

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Cluster hardening

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

SDN encrypted subnet

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Just Enough Administration

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Just-in-Time Administration

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Credential Guard

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Remote Credential Guard

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Device Guard (code integrity)

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

AppLocker

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Windows Defender

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Control Flow Guard

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Cloud-ready application platform

win server not included Windows Server Comparison Not Supported     win server partial Windows Server Comparison Limited Support     win server included Windows Server Comparison Fully Supported

Feature description

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2019

Linux containers

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Windows Server containers

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Server Core base container image

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Nano Server base container image

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Server Core Features on Demand (FoD)

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Kubernetes platform support

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSA)

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Hyper-V containers

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Azure Service Fabric for Windows Server

win server not included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Windows PowerShell 5.1

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)

win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server partial Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison
win server included Windows Server Comparison

Shop versions

Office 2019 Release Comparison Banner V1 Windows Server Comparison

Get the most from your Office

Enhancements that help you create & communicate– Work from just about anywhere.

Office for PC
Office for Mac

With Microsoft 365 plans, you’ll receive access to the comprehensive set of Office applications, as well as various online-enabled services. These additional services include extra cloud storage through OneDrive and Skype minutes for personal use. Microsoft 365 grants you the complete Office experience, installed and available on a range of devices including PCs, Macs, tablets (such as Windows, iPad, and Android), and smartphones. These plans are offered on a monthly or annual subscription basis, and allow for up to 5 device installations. Furthermore, upgrades are automatically included with your Office 365 subscription.

The Office 2019 suites, such as Office Home & Student and Home & Business, comprise of various applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. They are designed for a one-time purchase and can be used on a single PC or Mac. These applications do not receive automatic updates, and to acquire the latest version, a new purchase of Office is necessary once it becomes available.

Compatibility
Product Does not work with
Office 2016 (HS/HB/PRO) Visio 2013/2019/365 or Project 2013/2019/365
Visio 2016 (Standard and Professional) Office 2013/2019/365 or Project 2013/2019/365
Project 2016 (Standard and Professional) Office 2013/2019/365 or Visio 2013/2019/365

Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 provide you with access to a range of essential programs to help you work, play, and remain connected. With the capability to create documents and presentations, and the flexibility to design database applications and communicate through email, Office streamlines your workflow whether online or offline.

It’s worth noting that Office is available in various versions tailored to meet different needs, purposes, and computer systems. However, it’s important to compare the various Microsoft Office versions before purchasing to ensure you select the appropriate software that caters to all your requirements.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: This version of Microsoft Office is intended to be utilized on a maximum of 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets (e.g. iPad, Android, or Windows), and 5 phones. The software suite comprises of Word, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. Subscribers receive the most up-to-date Office updates, including Office 2019, in addition to 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, complimentary Microsoft Answer Desk assistance, and 60 minutes of monthly Skype calling

Microsoft 365 Personal: When you compare Office versions, Microsoft 365 Personal gives you all the same great features you’ll find in Microsoft 365 Business, but on just one PC or Mac and one tablet device, instead of up to five of each.

Office 2019 Home & Student:

Microsoft Office 2019 is equipped with updated versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which aim to enhance productivity and provide advanced authoring capabilities, design controls for precise layouts, and intuitive tools for effective data utilization. Additionally, the software allows access to documents from the cloud, granting you the ability to work wherever and whenever it is convenient. Moreover, Office 2019 provides the option to share documents and collaborate with others. This version of Microsoft Office is designed for a single PC.

Office 2019 Home & Business offers the same features as Office 2019 Home & Student, with the inclusion of Outlook. With Office 2019 Home & Business, you’ll have everything necessary to remain productive, and stay in contact with family, friends, and colleagues worldwide.

Office 2019 Professional:

With the latest version of Microsoft Office, you can optimize your performance from anywhere, at any time, and with anyone. The 2019 version of Office provides Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, with additional Publisher and Access programs, all of which can increase productivity and efficiency. With the advantage of online document storage, it is easy to collaborate with team members located worldwide.

When comparing Office and Microsoft 365, the crucial factor to consider is that Microsoft 365 remains updated, and there’s no need to purchase upgrades or be unsure about using the most recent version.

[1] Microsoft 365 is designed to work with Windows 7 or later, and Mac OS X 10.10. Microsoft 365’s availability and features can vary depending on the platform and device. At present, the Microsoft 365 package comes with Office 2019 for Windows and Office 2019 for Mac. For comprehensive system requirements, including tablet and smartphone compatibility, please visit www.office.com/information.

[2] Available on PC only.

[3] Skype available only in select countries; see FAQ for details. Calling to select countries only. Excludes calling to special, premium and non-geographic numbers.