Windows Server Standard

Description

Windows Server Standard is a server operating system that enables a computer to handle network roles such as print server, domain controller, web server, and file server. As a server operating system, it is also the platform for separately acquired server applications such as Exchange Server or SQL Server. The Standard edition is designed for small-to-medium-sized organizations with physical or lightly virtualized server environments.

This donation provides two core licenses for Windows Server Standard. Windows Server requires a minimum of 8 core licenses for each physical processor and a minimum of 16 core licenses for each server. The Standard edition allows up to two virtual instances of the server software when all cores on the server are licensed. For additional licensing information, see the Guide to Windows Server Editions and Licensing.

Which Versions of This Software Are Available?

You can choose to download the current version or the previous version of this software. You can find out which version is the current one on the Current Versions of Microsoft Products page. In addition, you can download the software in any language that's available.

Benefits for Organizations

If you have system administration experience, you can use Windows Server to

Run multiple server roles and different operating systems on a single server
Reduce the amount of hardware needed to run server workloads
Minimize the time it takes to set up hardware and software and reproduce test environments

Major Capabilities

Server virtualization: Windows Server provides tools for creating and managing a virtualized server computing environment. You can replicate a virtual machine from one location to another, without shared storage, storage arrays, or other replication technologies.
Server management: Server Core and Nano Server provide minimal environments for running specific server roles. Those roles are then easier to maintain and manage and less exposed to attack. Administrators can manage groups of servers collectively from within a single, integrated console.
Integrated services: Windows Server delivers a unified platform for web publishing that integrates IIS, ASP.NET, and Windows Communication Foundation and also supports SharePoint Services.
Failover clustering: Administrators can minimize disruptions of services and applications by creating a redundant server environment with dynamic hardware partitioning.
DirectAccess: This secure tunneling feature allows access to the network from any computer or device. It is faster than typical VPN connections and provides off-site access to file shares, on-premises equipment, and other resources.

Obtaining This Product

Installing this product requires you to download the software from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) and enter a license key. You can download any available version or language for your product.

The license key allows you to install the product on as many computers as you have received licenses for. This quantity is specified in the email you receive from TechSoup after we approve your request.

Expect two emails:

When your donation request has been approved, TechSoup will send a message to your organization email address. This email will confirm the number of licenses you have requested and provide information about how to use the VLSC once Microsoft accepts your license agreement. Make sure the email address in your organization details is up to date in your account.
Three to five business days after your request is approved, Microsoft will send an email welcoming your organization to the VLSC. This email will indicate that Microsoft has accepted your license agreement. After you receive this email, you'll be able to follow the steps in the first email you received from TechSoup to obtain your donation through the VLSC.

Software Assurance

Under the Software Assurance program, you have the right to install any new release of products covered in the agreement during the term of your coverage.

System Requirements

See system requirements and resources for installing Windows Server.

Rules, Eligibility and Restrictions

Quantity: Organizations receive an allotment of Microsoft software donations that is reset every two years. An organization's two-year cycle begins with its first donation request after July 27, 2011. After two years, a new cycle begins, and a new allotment is available.

During its two-year cycle, an organization can request

Up to 50 of each donated desktop product or CAL.
Up to 25 donated Windows Server Standard.
Up to five donated server products total that are not Windows Server Standard.

For further details, see Quantity and Frequency of Microsoft Requests on the Microsoft Eligibility, Allotments, and Returns page.

Budget: Organizations with annual operating budgets of any size are eligible for products in this program.
Nonprofits and public libraries only:

Donated products are available to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database.
Public libraries without a 501(c)(3) designation may request donated products through this program only for use on public access computers or on computers that are used to directly manage either the public access computers or the library's public access program.
Microsoft reserves the right to grant or deny an organization's request at any time, for any reason.

Eligible organization types: Only nonprofit organizations whose missions benefit the local community are eligible for donated Microsoft products. This could include organizations with the following missions:

Providing relief to the poor
Advancing education
Improving social welfare
Preserving culture
Preserving or restoring the environment
Promoting human rights
Establishment of civil society

Ineligible organization types: Not all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for donated Microsoft products. Ineligible organizations include the following:

Governmental organizations or agencies.
Educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools.
Healthcare organizations, including hospitals, healthcare networks, health plans, ambulatory healthcare services, home healthcare and assisted living healthcare organizations, health research organizations, pregnancy centers, and laboratories. Exceptions include independent nonprofit organizations with the following missions: community, behavioral and women's health clinics; hospices; emergency services; and blood, tissue and organ banks.
Professional, commerce, and trade associations.
Professional and semiprofessional sports organizations.
Political, labor, and fraternal organizations.
Refurbishers that will be installing the software on refurbished computers to be distributed or donated to nonprofits or schools. Please visit the Registered Refurbisher Program.
Nonpublic, non-501(c)(3) libraries, including private libraries, school libraries, specialty libraries, armed forces libraries, and libraries in government agencies.

Terms of service: Organizations that request Microsoft products must agree to any applicable terms of service.
Amendments: Microsoft reserves the right to supplement or amend these eligibility guidelines at any time without notice.
Anti-discrimination policy: Microsoft values and respects individual and cultural differences and is committed to providing an inclusive environment that is welcoming and free from discrimination. Therefore, organizations are not eligible to participate in this program if they have a policy or mission of discrimination in hiring, compensation, promotion, termination, retirement, training, programs, and/or services based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political affiliation, union membership, or veteran status. The only exception to this policy is for religious organizations that are exempt from laws that prohibit such discrimination.
FAQ: For more information about Microsoft's resources for nonprofits and program eligibility, see its Nonprofit FAQ.
Product distribution:

Products will be distributed under this program to qualifying organizations and libraries only, not to individuals.
Products are intended only for use by paid nonprofit employees and unpaid full-time equivalent (FTE) staff who have material day-to-day managerial, operational, and fiduciary responsibilities, and who will not use the license for personal income generation. Volunteers, members, and beneficiaries of the nonprofit are not eligible for nonprofit licenses and subscriptions
Recipient organizations may not transfer or resell Microsoft products to other organizations, including partner nonprofits or legally independent sister organizations.
Microsoft products may not be installed on computers that will be given to or sold to other organizations or individuals, even as part of a charitable program.

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