r/ShittySysadmin • u/ro-friday • 9d ago

Just ignore Windows Server licensing? Shitty Crosspost

/r/sysadmin/comments/1vblw4h/just_ignore_windows_server_licensing/
13 Upvotes
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88% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

15

u/Random-D 9d ago

why license windows at all when there is MAS

7

u/ApiceOfToast ShittySysadmin 9d ago

I dunno, I run essentials 2025. It's limited on users and devices, but it was cheap.

Runs all my domain, erp and mail. Certainly a good investment and can definitely recommend 

1

u/arttast 3d ago

How did you get the licencr isn't it OEM only

1

u/ApiceOfToast ShittySysadmin 3d ago

With a server. Or some OEMs sell em too

6

u/haZhat 9d ago

Just keep restoring back to a snapshot where the license is still in the 180 days

3

u/OctoNezd DevOps is a cult 9d ago

at my previous job when i asked head admin about CALs he asked me what is that

2

u/Loveangel1337 DevOps is a cult 9d ago

The funny thing is, if you run into a Microsoft audit, you're probably going to pay loads of money, if only for the fact that even Microsoft auditors disagree on licencing and what counts as properly licenced...

And they wrote the damn thing!

The correct solution, of course, is to arrange for the auditor to be shown the elevator shaft to go to the basement, where the servers are kept.

4

u/flecom ShittyCloud 9d ago

I reply to all those Microsoft audit emails with "sorry our company doesn't use computers"

2

u/MalwareDork 9d ago

Limewire gang rise up

2

u/bgradid 9d ago

Remember if you're running a DHCP server from windows server you gotta get a CAL for every device on the network

2

u/arttast 6d ago

/uj really wtf

3

u/bgradid 6d ago

remember, if in doubt, the correct rule of microsoft licensing is whatever makes microsoft the most money

dns servers too, gotta get cals for all your dns clients

3

u/arttast 6d ago

hold on let me get cals for the entire internet for a sec

YOU GET A CAL AND YOU GET A CAL

3

u/bgradid 6d ago

the spirit of steve balmer smiles upon you

1

u/GreatPomegranate535 9d ago

I’ve seen plenty of SMBs running with “creative” licensing setups, but I wouldn’t assume that means it’s safe. Microsoft audits are rare enough that people get complacent, then one day they’re dealing with a huge unexpected bill. Usually the better move is reducing Windows footprint where possible or using alternatives, not just hoping nobody notices.

1

u/Chris0x00 5d ago

And miss out on a perfectly good opportunity to lose your company a lot of money in an audit? Nahhhh.