The Windows Server 2016 licensing model includes both cores and client access licenses (CALs). Each user and/or device accessing a licensed Windows Server Standard, Datacenter, or Multipoint edition requires a Windows Server CAL or a Windows Server and a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL. A Windows Server CAL gives a user or device the right to access any edition of Windows Server of the same or earlier version. Each Windows Server CAL allows access to multiple licenses of Windows Server.

After the general availability of Windows Server 2016, the business model for Standard and Datacenter editions will transition from processor-based to core-based licensing. Core-based licensing provides a more consistent licensing metric across multi-cloud environments, improves workload portability for Windows Server through benefits like Azure Hybrid Use Benefit, and helps remove friction across different licensing models.