Hybrid Cloud & Azure Integration
Windows Server 2022 works even better with hybrid workloads. You can manage servers through Azure Arc, use improved backup and disaster recovery options, and migrate data more easily. This gives you the flexibility of the cloud with the performance of on-premises infrastructure.
Hybrid (management & integration)
| Feature | 2012 R2 | 2016 | 2019 | 2022 (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Arc-enabled Server (inventory & policies) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (new policies & integrations) |
| Azure Backup & Site Recovery (supported targets) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (wider support) | ✔️ (optimised scenarios) |
| Storage Migration Service (source/target support) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ (introduced) | ✔️ (expanded, more NAS/AD options) |
| In-place upgrade paths & cluster rolling upgrades | ✔️ (limited) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (improved stability) |
Hybrid-converged (storage & virtualisation)
| Feature | 2012 R2 | 2016 | 2019 | 2022 (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Spaces Direct | ❌ | ✔️ (introduced) | ✔️ (better performance) | ✔️ (improved reliability) |
| ReFS (modern) & data deduplication | ❌ | ✔️ (basic) | ✔️ (improved) | ✔️ (faster & more stable) |
| Nested virtualisation on AMD | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Windows Containers (Docker/AKS-HCI) | ❌ | ✔️ (introduced) | ✔️ (smaller images) | ✔️ (faster, better compatibility) |
Security (multi-layered)
Security takes a big step forward in 2022. The new Secured-core server combines hardware-based protection (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, DRTM/System Guard) with OS features like VBS and HVCI. It also introduces modern encryption standards and stronger SMB security.
| Feature | 2012 R2 | 2016 | 2019 | 2022 (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured-core server (TPM 2.0, DRTM, VBS/HVCI) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| TLS 1.3 by default | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| SMB AES-256 encryption & signing updates | ❌ (AES-128) | ❌ (AES-128) | ❌ (AES-128) | ✔️ (AES-256) |
| SMB over QUIC | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ (Azure Edition only) |
| Windows Defender improvements | ✔️ (classic) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ (extended platform) |
Note: SMB over QUIC is part of the Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition. On the Standard Edition, use regular SMB over TCP with the new AES-256 options.
Innovation (application platform & networking)
Developers and admins will notice network and performance gains. New UDP offloads, faster TCP start-up and improved virtual switch handling reduce latency and boost throughput.
| Feature | 2012 R2 | 2016 | 2019 | 2022 (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UDP Segmentation Offload (USO) / UDP RSC | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| TCP improvements (HyStart++ / RACK-like) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Improved virtual switch & vNIC performance | ❌ | ✔️ (first version) | ✔️ (improved) | ✔️ (optimised) |
| Microsoft Edge in Desktop Experience | ❌ (IE) | ❌ (IE) | ❌ (IE/Edge mix) | ✔️ (Edge by default) |
Licensing, Editions & Lifecycle
- Editions: Standard, Datacenter, Essentials and Datacenter: Azure Edition. Snel.com provides Windows Server 2022 Standard.
- Support (LTSC): mainstream support until 13 October 2026, extended support until 14 October 2031.
- Upgrade tip: test migration first, check driver and app compatibility, then enable security features (TPM/VBS/HVCI) step by step.
When Should You Upgrade to Windows Server 2022?
It’s a good moment to upgrade if you:
- need stronger security (GDPR/NIS2) with Secured-core, TLS 1.3 and AES-256 encryption;
- want to manage hybrid servers through Azure Arc, Backup or Site Recovery;
- need faster networking and lower latency (USO/RSC, improved TCP);
- run containers or modern .NET apps that benefit from smaller Windows images.
Tip: upgrade in phases. Start with less critical workloads, verify drivers and monitoring, and then move on cluster by cluster.
Host Windows Server 2022 in the Netherlands
Want to run Windows Server 2022 on ISO/IEC 27001-certified Dutch infrastructure with clear prepaid pricing and no contracts? With Snel.com, you can easily scale your VPS, adjust resources at any time, and rely on local support.
View Windows VPS plans or contact us for migration help.
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