Event details

This is your chance to be heard. Join us for an open feedback session focused on the current state of Windows Server 2025 and the roadmap for the next version of Windows Server (vNext). We’ll share a...
Pearl-Angeles
Updated May 08, 2026
tod's avatar
tod
Occasional Reader
May 13, 2026

It is hard to learn long-term windows management on a 30 day trial license. Are there any plans to introduce a homelab license?

  • Artem Pronichkin's avatar
    Artem Pronichkin
    Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
    May 13, 2026

    The free evaluation license for Windows Server is currently 180 days, and you can reinstall as many times as you need.

    You can also try using Windows Server pay-as-you-go if you only need the machine occasionally. Start VM, enable Pay-as-you-go, do some testing, then disable Pay-as-you-go and stop VM. This way you don't have to pay for the times when you're not using it. (Just don't forget to disable.)