Microsoft has introduced its latest model of Windows Server recently. We are all excited to know about Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs new features and what makes them superior to older models of Windows Server including the 2022 model.
In this blog, we are doing a Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs vs. 2022 performance comparison to understand why it is worth upgrading to Windows Server 2025. Continue reading to learn about Microsoft RDS CALs and how they promote remote work and help grow your business.
Understanding Windows Server RDS CAL
Remote Desktop Service CALs play a crucial role in enabling access to Windows server environments and facilitating remote work efficiently. With a stable internet connection, your employees can work anywhere in the world, just like they are at the office.
To use Remote Desktop Services provided by Microsoft, you have to choose a proper licensing method called Client Access License (CAL) in order to enjoy the benefits of remote desktop services in 2024.
Using this, you can improve productivity, centralized management, business continuity, disaster recovery and many more. Windows Server 2025 is the latest and updated model of Windows Server. Continue reading to know about Microsoft RDS CALs and Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL new features.
Overview of Windows Server 2022 RDS CAL
Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs has three editions. Essentials Edition, Datacenter Edition, and Standard Edition. These editions can match the demands of varying remote work. Whether it is a small business or a large scale business, Windows Server 2022 can enable efficient remote work.
When you have Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs, you can effortlessly access the previous versions of Windows Server environments. But this model is not enough to access Windows Server 2025 and its updated features.
What’s New in Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL?
Windows Server 2025 is the latest model of Windows Server introduced by Microsoft, with advanced features. When compared to the older versions of Windows servers, this one has better features integrated into it to support heavy remote work in heavily virtualized settings. Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL new features include enhanced security measures, seamless cloud integration, advanced VDI support, better performance, automation and management enhancement, and many more, which gives the users a better experience.
Suggested reading: What’s New in Windows Server 2025?
Performance Comparison: Windows Server 2025 vs. 2022 RDS CAL
Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL is built upon the features of Windows Server 2022 RDS CAL with improvements. The performance optimizing features make it a better option than all the older models of Windows Server licenses.
When we do a Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL vs. 2022 performance comparison based on its performance metrics, we can clearly see the differences between both. Even if the 2022 model is good at handling remote workloads, 2025 has improved features that can efficiently handle high workloads and enable a smoother user experience.
Security Features in Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL
One of the key features and updates of Windows Server 2025 is its security enhancements. Let’s take a look into how much security the latest version offers compared to its older version.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Enhancements
Microsoft added several multi factor authentications to improve Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL security enhancements. Multi-factor authentication in Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs provides additional protection to your data. After entering the usual password and username, to use the Windows server, you have to provide additional information. This can be a time-based one-time password that is sent to your device that lasts only 30 seconds, hardware tokens and biometric data.
Improved Encryption Standards
Improved encryption standards offered by this version are one reason why upgrade to Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs. It has customized baseline security that provides protective measures right from the beginning itself. This version offers improved security for confidential attributes and default machine account passwords, and improved algorithms for Name/Sid Lookups.
Advanced Threat Protection
AI-powered threat detection is one of the most important benefits of Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs over 2022 model of Windows Server. Windows Server 2025 offers advanced threat protection by using behavior analytics and Azure Defender. The credential guard improvements provide heightened security for user credentials and prevent cyber attacks and data leaks.
Licensing Differences: 2025 vs. 2022 RDS CAL
Let’s take a look into the major licensing differences between Windows Server 2025 and 2022.
Virtual Machine Licensing
Windows Server 2025 continues the licensing model introduced in October 2022, where organizations can license at the virtual machine (VM) level, in addition to the physical core-based licensing. This VM-based licensing allows customers to pay only for the virtual machines without needing to license the entire physical server, making it more flexible for heavily virtualized environments. This model applies mainly to users with active Software Assurance (SA) or server subscriptions.
Hot Patching Across All Editions
In Windows Server 2022, the hotpatching facility was available in Azure Edition. But in Windows Server 2025, the hotpatching features are available on all licensing editions when the user has Software Assurance.
Compatibility and Migration: Upgrading to Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL
Before upgrading to Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL, make sure that your existing systems are compatible with the requirements of this model.
Before upgrading to Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL, make sure that your existing systems are compatible with the requirements of this model.
System Requirements and Compatibility Checks
Storage | Minimum 32 GB |
Network | An Ethernet adapter that can achieve a throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second
Compliant with the PCI Express architecture specification |
RAM | 512 MB for Server Core
2 GB for Server with desktop experience ECC (Error Correcting Code) type or similar technology for physical host deployments |
CPU | 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
Compatible with x64 instruction set Support for NX and DEP Support for CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW instructions Support for Second Level Address Translation (EPT or NPT) Support for the SSE4.2 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2) instruction set Support for the POPCNT instruction |
Read How to Set Up RDS CALs in Windows Server 2025 to learn the step by step guide to upgrading from 2022 to 2025 RDS CAL.
Cost Analysis: Is It Worth Upgrading to Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL?
When you analyze the Windows Server 2025 pricing and cost benefits, you’ll understand why it is worth upgrading to this model of Windows Server. Even though the initial cost of upgrading to a Windows Server 2025 seems a bit costly, in the long run, it’ll give you a lot of cost benefits.
Hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 are different from 2022. So if your business does not meet these requirements, you may need to upgrade them, resulting in additional costs.
Improved performance and enhanced security features of Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs prevent cyber attacks, reducing security costs and downtime and resulting in increased productivity.
Use Cases: When to Choose Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL Over 2022
Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs have better features compared to Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs. But when should you go for Windows Server 2025 over 2022?
Ideal for High-Security Environments
Does your company have high security environments? Windows Server 2025 offers increased security measures compared to its older models including Windows Server 2022. Windows Server 2025 offers hotpatching for everyone, AI-based threat detection, Multi-factor authentication, increased credential guards, and many more. These security measures offer extra layers of protection to your data.
Supporting a Large Remote Workforce
With performance optimization and cloud integration, Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs offer a better user experience. Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL remote work features, including better network connectivity and other added features, make it a better option for a large remote workforce.
Scalability for Growing Businesses
Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL compatibility with existing systems and its scalability features make it the best option for growing businesses. Depending on the growth of the company and its need for RDS, you can increase and decrease the number of CALs resulting in cost savings.
Suggested Reading: RDS CALs for Windows Server 2012 vs. Windows Server 2019
Which One Should You Choose?
Benefits of Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs over 2022 make the latest model of Windows Server a better option for growing businesses. It is highly compatible with older versions of Windows Server and has enhanced features that enable efficient remote work and provide cost benefits.
Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs new features provide better security for your data by encryption and use AI to detect malicious behaviors and mitigate them before it turns into a problem. Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs is a top option for companies that have highly virtualized environments.
How to Get Started with Windows Server 2025 RDS CAL
If you’re a business owner who trusts the Windows Server environment for efficient remote work, you may need to upgrade to the latest Windows RDS CALs, Windows Server 2025. This version has all the improved features of Windows Server 2022 in security, performance, user experience, remote work efficiency, cloud enhancements and management tools.
For growing companies, Windows Server 2025 offers increased licensing flexibility and scalability options. Upgrade your existing Windows Server RDS CALs to Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs for a better user experience and increased productivity.