Buying used Microsoft Windows Server licenses
We list the most important points to be observed when buying Microsoft Windows Server licenses here.
Checklist of decision-making factors:
- Create an overview of which used Windows Server licences you can buy from Software ReUse.
- Get to know feature improvements per Office Suite.
- Check the compatibility of Office with Windows and Server releases.
- Confirm use of terminal servers – which buying licences are suitable?
- Check on what kind of licence is suitable for you – PKCs or volume licences?
- Compare buying used Windows Server licences vs. new licences with Software Assurance.
- Check the support period.
- Compare the purchase price – used licences are much more affordable.
Used Microsoft Windows Server licenses available for purchase from Software ReUse
The latest Microsoft Windows Server licenses are already available for purchase as used software from Software ReUse. This is because we buy up surplus stocks from corporations and insolvencies. You can find more details on our business model here.
Microsoft Windows Server Standard 2019
Microsoft Windows Server Standard 2016
Microsoft Windows Server Standard 2012 R2
Feature improvements per Server version
Each new Windows Server version involves numerous new features. You can find important licensing information and feature information for the purchase of used Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2 licenses on our product pages.
Buying used Microsoft Server licenses vs. new licenses with Software Assurance
When buying Microsoft software with “Software Assurance”, you generally get all updated versions for 3 years. You will usually pay almost double the original price and get a total of two releases, depending on the update cycle.
However, if you buy used Microsoft Windows Server licenses, you pay much less than the original price, no annual Software Assurance fees are incurred and you are not compelled to install a new version, which in any case might not fit into your in-house update cycle.
Reporting on Software ReUse
What kind of licence is suitable for your company? Volume licences, system builders or ROK?
There are several distribution types at Microsoft, including volume licences and OEMs. Without exception we recommend that companies use volume licences.
With volume licences you get a standard MAK and KMS key from Software ReUse, including all necessary documents for EU-compliant licence transfer. This means you can clearly save significant administrative expenditure compared to the original price.
Extended support for Microsoft Server licenses
As for Microsoft Office and other products, Microsoft provides extended support for its Microsoft Server licenses for 10 years from release. In some cases this is not even extended. If you don’t need the latest features, the use of older versions is secure and much cheaper than the latest version.
| Windows Server-Release | Mainstream-Support | Erweiterter Support |
| Windows Server 2019 | 09.01.2024 | 09.01.2029 |
| Windows Server 2016 | 11.01.2022 | 12.01.2027 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | 19.10.2018 | 10.10.2023 |
| Windows Server 2012 | 19.10.2018 | 10.10.2023 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 | 13.01.2015 | 14.01.2020 |
Purchase price – used licenses are significantly cheaper
Depending on the age of the release, you can buy up to 75% off the new price. Software does not age and you have the same rights as when you bought it new.
We hope that we were able to give you a good overview of the different Windows Server versions. More details can be found on the respective product pages for the following versions of Windows Server:
100% EU-compliant: Buy used software at Software ReUse!
If you have any legal questions, you can find more information about the EU legally compliant license transfer here.
The Software ReUse team will be happy to advise you personally!
Tel: +43 1 997 27 87-10
