Best free virtual machine windows 2016 for free#
Best free virtual machine windows 2016 install#
Best free virtual machine windows 2016 license#

So, what is the main difference between the Hyper-V role and Hyper-V Server when it comes to licensing? The short answer is that Hyper-V Server can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Download Center and doesn’t require an activation key, whereas Windows Server must be licensed in order to properly function and enable the Hyper-V role.

Best free virtual machine windows 2016 license#

However, many people find the topic of Hyper-V VM licensing a bit confusing as it tackles such serious issues as the license agreement and user’s legal responsibilities. In one of our previous blog posts, we described in detail how Hyper-V role and Hyper-V Server differ in terms of installation, user interface, VM management, clustering, use cases, and licensing. More so, Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Edition includes licenses for an unlimited number of Windows-based VMs.Ĭomparing Licensing Options for Hyper-V Role on Windows Server 2016 and Free Hyper-V Server 2016 At the same time, Windows Server 2016 Standard edition provides licenses for two Windows-based VMs.

With free Hyper-V Server 2016, guest VMs should be licensed separately.

Best free virtual machine windows 2016 install#

On the other hand, you can download and install the Hyper-V Server for free. You have to purchase an expensive Windows Server 2016 license before you can enable and use the Hyper-V role. As for the Hyper-V role on Windows Server 2016, you can use a wide set of management and monitoring tools, including both command line and graphical user interfaces. In Hyper-V Server, command line tools can be used for Hyper-V management, or you can manage a free Hyper-V Server 2016 remotely with the help of Hyper-V Manager or Server Manager. Hyper-V Server, on the other hand, doesn’t allow for the installation of any other server role except for Hyper-V.

Apart from the Hyper-V role, Windows Server also includes various server roles and features, thus, providing more advanced functionality than the Hyper-V Server.As for Windows Server 2016, you first need to install Windows Server 2016 and then manually enable the Hyper-V role on your computer. Hyper-V Server 2016 is ready for use right after the installation operation is complete. In general, free Hyper-V Server and the Hyper-V role on Windows Server differ in the following ways: It also describes how NAKIVO’s Hyper-V Backup and Hyper-V Replication can help you protect your Hyper-V environments and simplify the overall data protection management. This blog post compares the Hyper-V role on Windows Server 2016 and free Hyper-V Server 2016 and outlines the virtualization rights and licensing rules that each of these options provides. Unfortunately, when choosing between the two options, customers rarely consider the implications that go along with each of them, especially in terms of licensing. Currently, Microsoft customers who want to build a highly functional Hyper-V environment can choose between two deployment options: the Hyper-V role on Windows Server and free Hyper-V Server. VM licensing has always been a confusing topic for many users due to the multitude of implications and liabilities that it entails. By Jessie Reed Understanding Hyper-V VM Licensing on Windows Server 2016 and Hyper-V Server 2016