What is STACKIT Windows Server?
STACKIT Windows Server provides preconfigured Windows Server standard images for virtual machines on STACKIT’s cloud infrastructure. Standard editions of Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 are available, and STACKIT republishes them monthly with the latest security updates. When using a STACKIT standard image, the operating system license is included in the price; STACKIT is responsible for licensing these images under a Microsoft SPLA agreement. Windows Server runs in the EU01 (Germany) region and, since March 2026, also in EU02 (Austria).
Core Features
- Predefined standard images for Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, refreshed monthly
- License included in the vCPU-based price when using STACKIT standard images
- Available in EU01 (Germany) and, since March 2026, also in EU02 (Austria)
- Runs on second-generation (Gen2) and third-generation (Gen3) Intel machine types with CPU overprovisioning
- Option to upload your own, self-licensed images via OpenStack
- Suitable for lift-and-shift migration of existing Windows workloads
- Support for .NET applications and classic Windows Server roles
Typical Use Cases
Active Directory Domain Controller: Operating central AD infrastructure for hybrid or cloud-based environments with centralized user and rights management.
.NET Application Hosting: Hosting ASP.NET, .NET Core, or classic .NET Framework applications with IIS in a native Windows environment.
Lift-and-Shift Migration: Existing Windows Server workloads from on-premises environments are moved to the STACKIT cloud without major changes.
Benefits
- License included in the vCPU price for standard images, no separate license management needed
- Flexible pricing based on shared or dedicated vCPUs
- Operated in the STACKIT regions EU01 (Germany) and EU02 (Austria)
- Option to bring your own images for special requirements
Integration with innFactory
As an official STACKIT partner, innFactory supports you with STACKIT Windows Server: architecture, migration, operations, and cost optimization.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows licensing included in the price?
Yes, when using a STACKIT standard image (e.g., Windows Server 2025 Standard), the operating system license is included in the price per vCPU. STACKIT licenses these images under a Microsoft SPLA agreement.
Which Windows Server versions does STACKIT offer?
STACKIT provides standard images for Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 and refreshes them monthly with the latest security updates.
Can I bring my own Windows licenses (BYOL)?
STACKIT does not offer preconfigured BYOL images. Customers can upload their own custom-built images via OpenStack, but are then fully responsible for correctly licensing the operating system and installed software themselves.
Can I run Active Directory Domain Services?
Yes, STACKIT Windows Server is suitable for Active Directory domain controllers. For high availability, it is recommended to run multiple domain controllers across different availability zones.
How is the price for Windows Server calculated?
The licensing portion is calculated based on the number of virtual CPUs, tiered by whether the vCPUs are shared or dedicated. See the official STACKIT pricing overview for current per-vCPU prices. Since 1 December 2025, STACKIT bills compute resources and the operating system license as separate SKUs instead of a single combined product.
Are Remote Desktop Services (RDS) licenses included in the price?
No. Since 1 January 2026, STACKIT no longer provides RDS Subscriber Access Licenses (SALs) as part of the Windows Server offering. RDS licensing is now handled exclusively through your own eligible Microsoft agreements (Bring Your Own License) under the Microsoft Flexible Virtualization Benefit (FVB).
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of STACKIT (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by STACKIT.
