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    :Microsoft licenses and Software Assurance

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    :Microsoft licenses and Software Assurance

    Last Updated:Apr 27, 2026

    Use Alibaba Cloud-provided Microsoft licenses or bring your own licenses (BYOL) with Software Assurance.

    You can use a Microsoft license in Alibaba Cloud in the following ways:

    Use Microsoft licenses provided by Alibaba Cloud

    Alibaba Cloud provides Microsoft licenses through the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA). ECS and ApsaraDB RDS provide Microsoft-licensed software, such as Windows Server images and ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server. Client Access Licenses (CALs) are not required for ECS instances that run Windows Server images. By default, each Windows Server instance has two management-only connections. If you need more than two connections or need to use connections for non-management purposes, additional Remote Desktop Services CALs (RDS CALs) are required.

    The following table lists the Windows Server and SQL Server versions that Alibaba Cloud provides. See Custom launch ECS instances.

    Windows Server version

    SQL Server version

    • Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server 2022 Datacenter 64-bit (English)

    • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter with Containers 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter with Containers 64-bit (English)

    • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server 2019 Datacenter 64-bit (English)

    • Windows Server 2016 Datacenter 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server 2016 Datacenter 64-bit (English)

    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter 64-bit (English)

    • Windows Server Version **** Datacenter 64-bit (Simplified Chinese)

    • Windows Server Version **** Datacenter 64-bit (English)

    For available Windows Server versions, see Windows Server.

    • SQL Server 2019 Standard on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2017 Web on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2017 Enterprise on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2017 Standard on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2016 Enterprise on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2016 Standard on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2014 Web on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2014 Enterprise on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2014 Standard on Windows Server 2016

    • SQL Server 2012 Web on Windows Server 2012

    • SQL Server 2012 SP3 Enterprise on Windows Server 2012 R2

    • SQL Server 2012 SP3 Standard on Windows Server 2012 R2
    Note

    Starting January 14, 2020, Microsoft no longer provides support for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Alibaba Cloud no longer provides technical support for ECS instances that run the preceding operating systems. If your ECS instances run the preceding operating systems, we recommend that you upgrade to Windows Server 2016 or later at the earliest opportunity. For more information, see Windows Server EOL guidance.

    Bring your own license

    Bring existing Microsoft licenses to Alibaba Cloud under the Bring Your Own License (BYOL) model. Your options depend on whether your licenses include Software Assurance coverage. For details, visit the official Microsoft website.

    Note

    To use a BYOL image, import a custom image and set License Type to BYOL.

    • Microsoft licenses without Software Assurance coverage

      Licenses without Software Assurance require dedicated physical hardware, such as ECS Bare Metal Instances or Dedicated Hosts. As the sole tenant of the hardware, you can use your existing licenses on these services.

      Important

      To meet compliance requirements, you must have obtained your license before October 1, 2019, and the operating system versions must have been released before October 1, 2019.

      All Microsoft software covered by the Microsoft Product Terms can be deployed on ECS Bare Metal Instances (EBM) or Dedicated Hosts. Examples include:

      • Microsoft Windows Server

      • Microsoft Exchange Server

      • Microsoft SharePoint Server

      • Microsoft SQL Server

      • Microsoft System Center

      • Microsoft Dynamics

      • MSDN

      • Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (user CALs)

    • Microsoft licenses with Software Assurance coverage

      With Software Assurance, you can migrate licenses to Alibaba Cloud through License Mobility. Verify your license eligibility before migrating. See Apply for License Mobility and What is Server Migration Center.

      Eligible Microsoft applications and services:

      • Microsoft Exchange Server

      • Microsoft SharePoint Server

      • Microsoft SQL Server

      • Microsoft System Center

      • Microsoft Dynamics

      • Microsoft BizTalk Server

      • Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (user CALs)

      • Microsoft Skype for Business Server

    Disclaimer

    This document is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. For questions about Microsoft software licensing, consult your legal team, Microsoft, or a Microsoft licensing partner.