Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM license - downgrade to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter - license Windows Server 2025 VMs

Question

Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM license - downgrade to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter - license Windows Server 2025 VMs

Vladislav Shepelin 0

Hi,

We have a following scenario:

We buy servers from Dell with Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM license, and we need to downgrade OS to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (we have some specific software for the hosts that currently supports only Windows Server 2022).

Since the original license of the server is Windows Server 2025 Datacenter, can we deploy Windows Server 2025 VMs on this (after downgrade) Windows Server 2022 Datacenter host without buying any additional licenses?

I found this article from Microsoft:

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/guidance/Windows-Server-2025

It says that the Use Rights after downgrade remain at the "original" level (in our case it would be Windows Server 2025 Datacenter). So, I understand it as following: even after downgrading to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, we can deploy Windows Server 2025 VMs on the host without buying additional licenses because Use Rights of the original license (Windows Server 2025 Datacenter) allows this.

If this is true, then how do we activate the VMs? AVMA will not work obviously, so I guess we need a MAK for Windows Server 2025 then? How do we get it then?

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Domic Vo 17,825 Independent Advisor

Hello Vladislav Shepelin,

When you purchase a Dell server with Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM, the license grants you Datacenter‑level virtualization rights for that version. Downgrade rights allow you to install an earlier version (such as Windows Server 2022 Datacenter) on the physical host, but the use rights remain at the original level meaning you still retain the entitlement to run unlimited Windows Server VMs up to the 2025 edition. This is consistent with Microsoft’s licensing guidance: the downgrade only affects the installed OS version, not the rights granted by the purchased license.

The challenge is activation. AVMA (Automatic Virtual Machine Activation) only works when the host and guest versions align. If you downgrade the host to 2022, AVMA keys for 2025 guests will not activate because the host does not expose the 2025 AVMA channel. In this case, you need to activate the Windows Server 2025 VMs using either a MAK key or through KMS if your environment has a KMS host updated to support 2025. Since you purchased OEM Datacenter 2025, Dell or your licensing provider should provide access to the appropriate activation keys. If they only gave you OEM media and no MAK, you will need to request the MAK from Dell or escalate through Microsoft Volume Licensing support, referencing your OEM entitlement.

In short: yes, you can legally deploy Windows Server 2025 VMs on a downgraded Windows Server 2022 Datacenter host because the use rights are tied to the 2025 Datacenter license. However, you cannot rely on AVMA in this mixed scenario. You will need MAK or KMS activation for the 2025 guests, which must be obtained from your OEM or licensing channel.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.

Vladislav Shepelin 0 Reputation points

2026-03-06T12:30:46.9433333+00:00

Hi!

Thank you for reply!

I opened a support call with Dell, and I've this answer from them: after downgrading Windows Server 2025 Datacenter to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, we can deploy and license Windows Server 2025 Datacenter VMs (and to activate them with the key from the sticker on the host), but we cannot license Windows Server 2025 Standard VMs. And that for Windows Server 2025 Standard VMs we would need additional licenses.

I'm a no expert in this, but it sound very weird.

If Windows Server 2025 Datacenter allows to deploy VMs with both Standard and Datacenter OS, and use rights remain at the original level after downgrading the host, then we should be able to license VMs with both Standard and Datacenter. If use rights do not remain at the original level, then we should not be able to deploy neither Standard nor Datacenter OS.
Domic Vo 17,825 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-06T18:34:45.9633333+00:00
Hello Vladislav,

Thank you for sharing Dell’s response. I’d like to clarify a key point:

When you purchase Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM, the license grants you Datacenter‑level virtualization rights. That means you are entitled to run unlimited Windows Server VMs, regardless of whether those VMs are running the Datacenter or Standard edition. The edition of the guest OS does not change the entitlement that the rights are tied to the Datacenter license you purchased.

Downgrade rights allow you to install Windows Server 2022 Datacenter on the physical host, but the use rights remain at the 2025 Datacenter level. In other words, even if the host runs 2022, you are still legally entitled to deploy Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Standard VMs.

The only complication is activation:

AVMA will not work in this mixed scenario (2022 host with 2025 guests).

You will need to activate 2025 VMs using MAK or KMS keys. These should be provided by Dell or available through Microsoft licensing channels.

So, to be precise:

You can deploy and license both Windows Server 2025 Datacenter and Standard VMs under your Datacenter OEM license.

You do not need separate Standard licenses, because Datacenter already covers unlimited VMs of either edition.

The only extra step is ensuring proper activation of the 2025 guests. Hello Vladislav, Thank you for sharing Dell’s response. I’d like to clarify a key point: When you purchase Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM, the license grants you Datacenter‑level virtualization rights. That means you are entitled to run unlimited Windows Server VMs, regardless of whether those VMs are running the Datacenter or Standard edition. The edition of the guest OS does not change the entitlement — the rights are tied to the Datacenter license you purchased. Downgrade rights allow you to install Windows Server 2022 Datacenter on the physical host, but the use rights remain at the 2025 Datacenter level. In other words, even if the host runs 2022, you are still legally entitled to deploy Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Standard VMs. The only complication is activation:

AVMA will not work in this mixed scenario (2022 host with 2025 guests).

You will need to activate 2025 VMs using MAK or KMS keys. These should be provided by Dell or available through Microsoft licensing channels.

So, to be precise:

You can deploy and license both Windows Server 2025 Datacenter and Standard VMs under your Datacenter OEM license.

You do not need separate Standard licenses, because Datacenter already covers unlimited VMs of either edition.

The only extra step is ensuring proper activation of the 2025 guests.
Domic Vo 17,825 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-08T08:10:38.43+00:00

Good morning,

I hope you are doing well.

Have you found the answer useful? If everything is okay, don't forget to share your experience with the issue by accepting the answer. Should you need more information, free free to leave a message. Happy to help! :)

Domic Vo.
Vladislav Shepelin 0 Reputation points

2026-03-09T06:28:24.9366667+00:00

Hello!

Thank you once again for the reply.

I'm keep pushing Dell in this direction, telling them exactly the same things you do, but they still insist that I need additional licenses.

Is there any way for me to contact Microsoft directly and ask for the support? Or all OEM licenses related stuff goes through the manufacturer (in our case Dell) only?

Answer 2

The context only provides technical details about activation mechanisms and downgrade/upgrade behavior, not the licensing use‑rights question itself. Licensing rights (whether Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM downgraded to 2022 Datacenter still permits running 2025 VMs without extra licenses) are governed by the Product Terms and OEM license terms, which are not included in the context. That part cannot be answered here.

Only the activation mechanics that are covered in the context can be addressed:

AVMA requirements
- Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) requires a Windows Server Datacenter edition host with the Hyper‑V role installed.
- The host version determines which guest versions can be activated via AVMA:
  
  Host 2025 guest 2022 guest 2019 guest 2016 guest 2012 R2 guest
  
  2025 X X X X X
  
  2022 X X X X
- A Windows Server 2022 Datacenter host cannot AVMA‑activate Windows Server 2025 guest VMs.
Reference: AVMA host/guest matrix.
KMS activation for Windows Server 2025 guests
- Windows Server 2025 can be activated by a KMS host running:
  - Windows Server 2022 (with KB5034765 or later), or
  - Windows Server 2019 (with KB5034768 or later), among other options.
- This means that if there is a KMS host in the environment that meets the update requirements, Windows Server 2025 VMs can be activated as KMS clients against that host.
Reference: KMS activation planning – activation versions and required updates.
MAK or other keys
- The context explains where volume licensing product keys (including MAK/KMS keys) are obtained for volume‑licensed customers:
  - Product keys are available in the Microsoft 365 admin center on the Keys tab of the product details panel.
  - Keys can also be requested through Microsoft Assisted Support or Volume Licensing support.
- For OEM scenarios, the context does not specify how to obtain MAK keys for Windows Server 2025; that is governed by OEM and licensing terms outside this context.
Reference: Volume licensing product keys and how to obtain them.
OEM license for Azure Local (related but distinct)
- The OEM license for Azure Local includes Windows Server Datacenter 2025 guest VMs and uses automatic activation without tools or keys on Azure Local hardware.
- This is a specific scenario (Azure Local hyperconverged deployments) and does not describe general OEM downgrade/activation behavior for Dell servers.
Reference: OEM license for Azure Local overview.

Because the context does not include the Windows Server Product Terms or OEM downgrade use‑rights, it does not state whether Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM downgraded to 2022 Datacenter can legally run 2025 guest VMs without additional licenses, nor how OEM MAK keys for such guests are provided. That part must be confirmed through the Product Terms and OEM/Volume Licensing channels, not from this context.

References:

Share via

Windows Server 2025 Datacenter OEM license - downgrade to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter - license Windows Server 2025 VMs

2 answers

Your answer