5 Ways to Use Windows Server For Free or Buy it at $35 - 2023

Windows Server is an operating system, which is mainly used to share services with multiple users and provide administrative control of data storage, applications, and corporate networks.

Actually, using Amazon EC2 or Azure for servers is much more convenient, secure and flexible than on-premise servers right now. And Microsoft also recommends users use Azure Virtual Machine to host their applications or systems in the cloud on Windows operating systems, which saves the need for upfront investment and maintenance costs in physical infrastructure to run them. As a result, fewer users are buying Windows Server, and fewer channels offer discounts.

So, based on my own experience, either using some basic Server features in Windows 11 or using Azure directly. (Ways to get free Azure Credits, you may check this article instead: 7 ways to get up to $150,000 Azure Free Credits.)

💡 Purchase Windows Server with Great Discounts

For Nonprofit

Nonprofits can get discounts through Techsoup.

*Microsoft is assisted in providing software grants for nonprofits, charities, and NGOs in 236 countries and territories via Techsoup and its global network of 65 additional partner organizations.

Techsoup offers discounted prices for Windows Server Datacenter, Standard. and Essentials, starting at $52 Admin Fee

E-commerce Store🔥

You can get Windows Server on these websites for a very low cost, but don't assume that it will be the same as the retail version on the official website, as the majority of the licenses on these e-commerce platforms are from OEMs or VLKs.

The main difference between this license and the retail price is that the retail version can be reactivated by changing the motherboard, but this license might not be allowed to change the host, and the VLK license might expire at any time.

Therefore, this type of key is only recommended for individual users or small businesses.

	Windows Server 2022 Standard	Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
G2A	$40.63	$41.59
MyChoiceSoftware	16 Core License $449.99	16 Core License $2,969.99
Amazon	-	-
Kinguin	$37.27	$37.99

💡 Get Windows Server For Free

Extend 180-day Free Trial of Windows Server

Microsoft Official provides Free evaluation version of Windows Server 2022, which allows to use Windows Server on-premises for 180 days. After the trial is expired, the system will be shut down and start requiring activation.
However, from Microsoft Q&A support team mentioned the method to extend the evaluation period for 3 years using.
Open an elevated command prompt (cmd)
Enter the following command:
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dlv

The Windows Server evaluation version can be used for 3 years.
To rearm use the following command:
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rearm

Restart the system
After the restart the evaluation period is extended for another 180 days

Upgrade Windows Server For Free

Up to two versions of Windows Server can be upgraded at a time, e.g., Windows Server 2016 can be upgraded to Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2022. Thus, if you have Windows Server from your old machine, you can migrate it to the new machine for free.

Get Windows Server Free as a student

Free access to a wide range of Microsoft development tools including Windows Server through Microsoft Azure Education if you are a student. You may learn more info on Azure Education Hub FAQs From Microsoft or by checking out 7 ways to get up to $150,000 Azure Free Credits.