In a development that still has me scratching my head, I learned today that the current version of Windows Server Essentials 2022 is not available from the Volume License Service Center (VLSC).
Unfortunately, TechSoup’s catalog entry didn’t mention that tidbit when I purchased WSE for a nonprofit customer.
In fact, TechSoup’s Current Versions of Microsoft Products page expressly lists Windows Server 2022 Essentials as the current version:
However, after jumping through all the hoops to purchase the license with Software Assurance from TechSoup and view it in the VLSC, the latest version available as a a key or download is 2019:
In case you’re wondering, the “new” view of the VLSC in the Microsoft Admin Center (MAC) shows the same information. (The Microsoft acronym farm is obviously in full bloom!)
Microsoft VLSC support is still available by phone. They confirmed that Essentials 2022 is not “yet” available through VLSC and provided a link to this Microsoft article, which states:
With Windows Server 2022, the Essentials edition is available to purchase from OEMs only, however there is no specific installation media. Instead, an Essentials edition product key is used to activate the Standard edition of Windows Server 2022.
I get it that Essentials 2022 is now just a licensing difference (25 users, 50 devices no CALs required). What I don’t understand is how Microsoft can claim that Software Assurance provides access to the current version of the software during the term of the contract, but stop offering Essentials at 2019.
The alternative is to buy Essentials 2022 as Reseller Option Kit (ROK) software, i.e. vendor-specific OEM software. This looks like the right one for a Hewlett-Packard server:
Microsoft Windows Server 2022 10-core Essentials Reseller Option Kit
I saw a similar product for Dell and I think Lenovo.
I will miss all the great features of Essentials 2016 and earlier. But even without those, Essentials 2022 looks like a good fit for an on-premises server in a small office. Just don’t try to buy it as a volume license.