{"product_id":"microsoft-windows-server-standard-software-assurance-16-cores-3-year-paid-upfront","title":"Microsoft Windows Server Standard + Software Assurance - 16 Cores | 3-Year (Paid Upfront)","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server Standard + Software Assurance - 16 Cores | 3-Year (Paid Upfront)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c!-- ESS — Windows Server Standard + SA | 16 Cores | 3-Year (Paid Upfront) --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- Description body HTML. Inline styles only (sanitization-safe). ESS palette only. --\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.55; color: #444648;\"\u003eWindows Server Standard licensed the smart way: pay once for a full three-year Software Assurance term, always deploy the latest version, and keep full rights to run older builds. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.55; color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #1e2d7d;\"\u003eMicrosoft Windows Server Standard — License \u0026amp; Software Assurance — 16 Cores | 3-Year, Paid Upfront | PN: 9EM-00297\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 26px;\"\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style: none; padding-left: 0; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.7; color: #444648;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  Windows Server Standard with Software Assurance — provisioned at the latest version (currently Server 2025)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  Full downgrade rights — run Server 2025, 2022, 2019 or earlier under the same license\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  3-year Software Assurance term, paid once upfront — no annual renewals to track\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  16-core license — Microsoft's minimum per server, covering up to 16 physical cores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  Perpetual license retained after the term, with version-upgrade rights active throughout SA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e  Sold by a Microsoft Solutions Partner with 24×7 support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003e1-Year Annuity or 3-Year Upfront?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003eBoth options give you Windows Server Standard with Software Assurance and the same rights — the difference is how you pay. The seat on this page is the \u003cstrong\u003e3-year term paid upfront\u003c\/strong\u003e: one payment, three years of SA, nothing to renew until the term ends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 14px; border: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin: 14px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"background: #1E2D7D; color: #fff; text-align: left; padding: 12px 14px; font-weight: 600; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.2);\"\u003e \u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"background: #1E2D7D; color: #fff; text-align: left; padding: 12px 14px; font-weight: 600; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.2);\"\u003e3-Year, Paid Upfront \u003cspan style=\"background: #F1D600; color: #1e2d7d; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 8px; border-radius: 999px; margin-left: 6px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.4px;\"\u003eOn this page\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"background: #1E2D7D; color: #fff; text-align: left; padding: 12px 14px; font-weight: 600;\"\u003e1-Year Annuity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600; color: #1e2d7d; padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003ePayment\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eOne payment, covers the full 3-year term\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eAnnual payment, billed each year of the term\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600; color: #1e2d7d; padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eSoftware Assurance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Active for all 3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Active while annuity is paid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600; color: #1e2d7d; padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eLatest version on demand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600; color: #1e2d7d; padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eDowngrade rights\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #15842a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e Yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"text-align: left; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600; color: #1e2d7d; padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC;\"\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; border-right: 1px solid #CCC; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eBudget locked in; set-and-forget for 3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px 14px; background: #FAF9F5; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eLower first-year cost; pay-as-you-go\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003eWhat Software Assurance gives you\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003eSoftware Assurance is what makes this license version-agnostic. While your SA term is active you can deploy \u003cstrong\u003ethe newest Windows Server release at no extra cost\u003c\/strong\u003e — today that's Server 2025 — and you also hold \u003cstrong\u003efull downgrade rights\u003c\/strong\u003e to run any earlier supported version (2022, 2019, and back) if your environment isn't ready to move. SA also includes new-version rights, problem-resolution support, and planning benefits. When the paid-up term completes, your underlying license stays perpetual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003eHow licensing works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003eWindows Server Standard core licenses are sold through Microsoft's volume programs (Open Value). Microsoft requires you to license \u003cstrong\u003eevery physical core in the server, with a 16-core minimum per server\u003c\/strong\u003e — this listing is that 16-core baseline. New Open Value agreements start at a 5-license minimum; if you already have an active agreement, ESS can add to it at any quantity — message us before checkout and we'll attach the order to your enrollment. Need more than 16 cores, or Standard CALs to go with it? Use the \"Request a Custom Quote\" button and we'll size it for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003eDelivery and activation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #FAF9F5; border: 1px solid #CCC; border-left: 4px solid #1E2D7D; border-radius: 4px; padding: 14px 18px; margin: 14px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #1e2d7d;\"\u003eExpected delivery: 1–3 business days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; font-size: 14px; color: #444648;\"\u003eOpen Value orders go through Microsoft's order-processing pipeline before keys are released. We email your activation details the moment Microsoft confirms the order. This is Microsoft's processing time, not ours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003eYour email includes your \u003cstrong\u003eactivation keys\u003c\/strong\u003e and setup instructions. Prefer delivery to your \u003cstrong\u003eMicrosoft Admin Center\u003c\/strong\u003e? Provide your \u003ccode style=\"background: #FAF9F5; padding: 2px 6px; border: 1px solid #CCC; border-radius: 3px; font-size: 13px;\"\u003eonmicrosoft.com\u003c\/code\u003e domain at checkout and we'll route the license there directly. Volume Licensing is managed in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #1e2d7d; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich version do I get — is this tied to a specific year?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. With Software Assurance active you deploy the latest Windows Server Standard release (currently 2025). You're never locked to a single year, and you can run earlier versions under downgrade rights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are downgrade rights?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey let you install and run an earlier supported version of Windows Server Standard (2022, 2019, etc.) using this license — useful when your applications or hardware aren't certified for the newest release yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between this and the 1-Year Annuity SKU?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIdentical rights and Software Assurance benefits — only the payment model differs. This SKU is paid once upfront for the full 3-year term; the annuity is billed annually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many cores does this cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e16 physical cores — Microsoft's per-server minimum. If your server has more than 16 cores, you'll need additional core licenses; request a quote and we'll size it correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I keep the license after three years?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Because the term is paid in full upfront, the underlying license is perpetual. Renewing Software Assurance afterward is optional and keeps your new-version rights and support active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"color: #444648;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's your refund policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e30-day returns on Microsoft Open Value software. If a license fails to activate or doesn't match what was advertised, we'll replace or refund.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- CLOSING CTA — Schedule with a licensing architect (banner + inline iframe) --\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: linear-gradient(135deg,#1E2D7D 0%,#15842A 100%); border-radius: 8px; padding: 26px 24px; margin: 30px 0 14px; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: #fff; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003eNot sure which term or core count you need?\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: #eaf0ff; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; max-width: 640px; margin: 0 auto 18px;\"\u003eTalk to a licensing architect at ESS. We'll walk through your servers, core counts, Software Assurance terms, and any existing agreements — then recommend the right SKU at the right price. No pressure, no commitment.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/book\/LicensingConsultation@enterprisessoftwaresolutions.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display: inline-block; background: #F1D600; color: #1e2d7d; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; padding: 13px 26px; border-radius: 999px; font-size: 16px;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSchedule with a licensing architect →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"color: #eaf0ff; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 12px;\"\u003eFree 30-minute consultation with a Microsoft Solutions Partner\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/book\/LicensingConsultation@enterprisessoftwaresolutions.com\/\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 760px; border: 1px solid #CCC; border-radius: 8px;\" title=\"Schedule a licensing consultation with ESS\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Microsoft","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53154649243964,"sku":"9EM-00297","price":1599.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/7515\/files\/Windows_Server_Standard_Stock_1024.jpg?v=1782152975","url":"https:\/\/www.enterprise-software-solutions.com\/products\/microsoft-windows-server-standard-software-assurance-16-cores-3-year-paid-upfront","provider":"Enterprises Software Solutions","version":"1.0","type":"link"}