Windows Server 2022 includes significant improvements to security, hybrid cloud integration and performance over Windows Server 2019. This guide covers the key new features in Windows Server 2022 and what IT administrators need to know about planning and deploying it in 2026.
What is New in Windows Server 2022?
Secured-Core Server
Secured-Core Server builds on Windows Defender System Guard and Virtualization Based Security (VBS) to protect against firmware attacks — one of the most difficult attack vectors to defend against. It requires compatible hardware but provides protection at the firmware level that goes beyond traditional antivirus.
SMB Encryption Improvements
Windows Server 2022 introduces AES-256 encryption for SMB — significantly stronger than the AES-128 used in previous versions. SMB compression is also available, reducing network bandwidth for file transfers by compressing data in transit.
HTTPS and TLS 1.3 by Default
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and TLS 1.3 are enabled by default in Windows Server 2022, improving the security of DNS queries and encrypted connections. Legacy protocols like TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are disabled by default.
Azure Arc Integration
Windows Server 2022 has deeper Azure Arc integration built in, making it easier to manage on-premises servers alongside Azure resources from a single control plane. Azure Arc allows you to apply Azure Policy, use Azure Monitor and deploy Azure services to on-premises Windows Server 2022 machines.
Storage Improvements
- Storage Spaces Direct improvements including faster rebuild times and improved performance
- ReFS deduplication — data deduplication now works with ReFS volumes
- Adjustable storage repair speed — balance between repair speed and workload performance
Windows Server 2022 Editions
| Edition | Use Case | Virtualisation Rights |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Physical or minimally virtualised environments | 2 VMs included |
| Datacenter | Highly virtualised environments | Unlimited VMs |
| Essentials | Small businesses up to 25 users | 1 VM |
| Azure Edition | Azure and Azure Stack HCI only | Unlimited (Azure only) |
Key PowerShell Commands for Windows Server 2022
# Check Windows Server 2022 version
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsHardwareAbstractionLayer
# Check Secured-Core Server status
Get-SecureBootUEFI -Name PK
# Enable SMB encryption
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EncryptData $true
# Check TLS configuration
Get-TlsCipherSuite | Select-Object Name | Format-Table
# Enable DNS over HTTPS
Add-DnsClientDohServerAddress -ServerAddress 8.8.8.8 -DohTemplate "https://dns.google/dns-query" -AllowFallbackToUdp $falseUpgrade Path to Windows Server 2022
- From Windows Server 2019: In-place upgrade supported
- From Windows Server 2016: In-place upgrade supported
- From Windows Server 2012 R2: In-place upgrade to 2022 is not supported — upgrade to 2019 first
- From Windows Server 2008 R2: Fresh installation required — migrate roles and data
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows Server 2022 still supported in 2026?
Yes — Windows Server 2022 is in mainstream support until October 2026 and extended support until October 2031. It remains the current on-premises Windows Server release for most organisations in 2026, with Windows Server 2025 available for those wanting the latest version.
Should I upgrade from Windows Server 2019 to 2022?
For new deployments, use Windows Server 2022 or 2025. For existing 2019 servers, upgrade is worthwhile if you need the security improvements (Secured-Core, SMB AES-256, TLS 1.3 by default) or Azure Arc integration. For stable servers with no immediate security concerns, waiting until the next major refresh cycle is reasonable.
What hardware does Secured-Core Server require?
Secured-Core Server requires a TPM 2.0 chip, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and a processor with virtualisation extensions (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) and IOMMU support. Most server hardware from 2018 onwards meets these requirements. Check the Windows Server 2022 hardware compatibility list on the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility Center.
Is the Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition available for on-premises use?
No — Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition is only available for Azure VMs and Azure Stack HCI. It includes additional features like hotpatching (applying updates without reboot) that are only available in the Azure environment. For on-premises deployments use Standard or Datacenter editions.
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