Windows Server 2022: What are the new features?

After around three years of development, Microsoft released Windows Server 2022, the tenth release of its operating system, on 18th August 2021. Compared to previous versions, the update brings numerous new features that expand functionality and enhance security. In addition to these key points, there are other reasons to consider upgrading to or using the new generation Microsoft Windows Server 2022. For example, this includes receiving updates through mainstream support or the Azure Edition with native support for hosting and managing virtual machines in the cloud.

What are the key new features of Windows Server 2022?

Although Microsoft also equips its operating systems with new features through regular updates, major and potentially fundamental changes usually occur with a version jump. There are several reasons for this approach - two of the crucial ones being stability and a uniform base configuration during the OS installation. Following this strategy, Microsoft Windows Server 2022 introduces significant improvements that benefit users, even if they do not use the new features. Some of the key features of the Windows Server 2022 update include:

• Activation of secure connections via HTTPS and SSL certificates with TLS 1.3 as the standard
• Enhanced Admin Center with more security features and other innovations
• Faster Server Response Time (SRT) through optimised transmission using TCP and UDP protocols
• Increased speed in checking, repairing, or synchronising storage media
• More efficient compression for Server Message Block (SMB) and other network protocols
• Integration of Secure DNS via DNS-over-HTTPS for secure communication with Nameservers
• Support for AES 256-bit encryption for SMB
• New methods for data compression in storage replication between source and target servers

Many of the enhancements in Windows Server 2022 are not immediately apparent because they operate at a technical level, introducing new security standards or optimising the performance of hardware, protocols, and communication. However, they have a measurable impact on performance, significantly improving it especially under heavy loads.

What are some other reasons to choose Microsoft Windows 2022?

Generally, Windows Server 2022 offers its users numerous advantages and more features compared to previous versions: When choosing between different options for a new contract, it is always advisable to opt for the latest version. However, when it comes to productive systems and contract renewals, whether upgrading from an older Microsoft Server OS to a newer one is worthwhile depends on the individual situation. In this case, the decision must take into account a number of factors, to which a higher or lower priority must be assigned based on the initial situation:

• Costs incurred by the provider for migration and support during the update
• Intended use for commercial, public, or private purposes
• Integration of new standards and technologies for improved performance and security
• Effort and time required for an update in productive systems
• Coordination with additional steps - such as a server migration to a specific date
• Estimated duration of a project over a planned or unlimited period

In general, upgrading is beneficial for all long-term commercially and industrially used servers, as long as it does not result in clearly disproportionate costs, work hours, or downtime for an important website. One key reason for this is that this upgrade will inevitably become necessary at a certain point, as Microsoft will only maintain Mainstream Support for Windows Server 2019 until early 2024 and discontinue the paid Extended Support five years later. For long-term use, Windows Server 2022 is one of the versions with Long Term Support (LTS), which the company guarantees until at least the end of 2026.

What hardware requirements does Windows Server 2022 have?

With Microsoft Windows Server 2022, users can choose between two different versions that have varying hardware requirements. The first is called Server Core and includes the basic operating system without a graphical interface. It requires at least an Intel or AMD processor with a clock speed of 1.40 GHz or higher, a network connection with a minimum of 1 Gigabit bandwidth, and 512 MB of RAM as memory. The requirements increase to 2 GB or more of RAM if the full operating system, including a graphical user interface (GUI), is to be installed in one of the Desktop Versions.

The decision also affects the required storage space on the boot medium - the Server Core versions require a minimum of 32 GB free, while the Desktop variant presupposes 36 GB on the drive. Like Windows 11 released at the end of 2021, Windows Server 2022 also requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) compatible with the 2.0 standard, which is used for data encryption and verification. For security reasons, installation without TPM or with older chips of specification 1.X is only possible through indirect means and requires physical access to the server and the use of a monitor to change crucial parameters during setup.

Which versions of Windows Server 2022 does Microsoft offer?

Microsoft provides its customers with a total of four different editions that have been optimised for specific environments or purposes. They include:

• Essential with a limited number of users and endpoints
• Standard with support for up to two virtual machines under a Hyper-V host
• Datacenter for complex networks, virtualised data centres, or cloud hosting
• Azure Datacenter for integration with the Microsoft Azure platform

All versions also allow the choice between the Server Core and the Desktop Edition. However, the latter primarily offers advantages when there is physical access to the hardware and the server has a screen and input devices. While remote use on other computers is also possible and allows the use of remote administration tools such as Virtual Network Computing (VNC) software - practical benefits for configuration do not necessarily result from it.

Who should consider upgrading to Windows Server 2022?

When entering into a new contract (such as with Windows web hosting), most web hosts only offer the latest version of Windows Server. However, the situation may be different when it comes to virtual private servers within an existing system - here, the switch to Windows Server 2022 may be hindered by technical difficulties. Another reason for some companies is the need for legacy support. While updates generally do not cause issues and services like the IIS web server for a website remain continuously accessible, this cannot be guaranteed for all configurations.

Overall, upgrading to Windows Server 2022 is beneficial for all users as the updates specifically enhance IT infrastructure security. In most cases, a transition becomes inevitable, especially when mainstream support ends in 2024. The only exception is for projects with a short lifespan, which can be completed in a few months or are solely connected to an intranet without external access. In these cases, older versions can still be used if no new features are required and the switch would result in additional costs or significant effort.

Our article is based on our own experiences, research, and information from external sources.

Sources & further reading:

https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/windows-server (Official Microsoft website)

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