Microsoft System Center 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison
Microsoft System Center 2025 represents a significant evolution in datacenter management, building upon the solid foundation established by System Center 2022 while introducing enhanced security, modernization capabilities, and Azure integration features. Released on November 6, 2024, System Center 2025 delivers infrastructure modernization and enhanced security to help organizations manage complex IT environments more effectively [1].
This comprehensive comparison examines the key differences between System Center 2022 and 2025, covering new features, security enhancements, licensing models, and the notable 10% price increase that reflects continued development and improvement investments [2].
New Features in System Center 2025
System Center 2025 introduces substantial security enhancements designed around a “secure by design” philosophy. The platform reduces reliance on Credential Security Support Provider protocol (CredSSP) and NTLM authentication mechanisms, significantly enhancing the security posture for Windows Servers [1]. TLS 1.3 support ensures data transmissions are protected by the most advanced security standards available, while enhanced Azure data security developments enable secure storage of passphrases and their application to on-premises environments [1].
The virtualization management capabilities receive significant upgrades with support for managing Azure Stack HCI 23H2 clusters through Virtual Machine Manager 2025, providing unified control of heterogeneous infrastructure through a single management plane [1]. Data Protection Manager 2025 integrates seamlessly with SharePoint Subscription Edition and introduces virtual TPM (vTPM) support with the ability to exclude specific disks from backups in Hyper-V environments, optimizing backup processes and improving overall system performance [1].
Azure Arc integration represents a major advancement, with System Center 2025 supporting the latest Arc-enabled capabilities of Windows Server 2025, including Hotpatching for Arc-enabled Virtual Machine Manager managed VMs and lifecycle operations for VMs hosted in customer datacenters [1]. This enhanced Azure Arc-enabled management provides organizations with the flexibility to migrate to the cloud at their own pace while ensuring optimal resource utilization [1].
System Center 2022 Foundation Features
System Center 2022 established the platform’s focus on best-in-class datacenter operations, introducing improved collaboration and insights capabilities that remain relevant in the 2025 version [3]. The 2022 release introduced enhanced access control capabilities, Microsoft Teams integration, and easier management of alert closures in System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) [3].
Key innovations in System Center 2022 included the introduction of new Read-only Administrator and Delegated Administrator roles, providing more granular permission management and simplified custom user role creation [3]. These role-based access control improvements enabled better DevOps collaboration between different personas including infrastructure teams, SRE teams, LOB application teams, and SCOM administrators [3].
Feature Comparison Tables
New Features Exclusive to System Center 2025
| Feature Category | Feature | Description | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Reduced CredSSP/NTLM Usage | Fewer scenarios using legacy authentication mechanisms | Enhanced security posture and reduced attack surface |
| Security | TLS 1.3 Support | Advanced security standards for data transmissions | Improved data protection and compliance capabilities |
| Security | Azure Key Vault Integration | Secure storage of passphrases in Azure Key Vault | Centralized credential management and enhanced security |
| Security | Virtual TPM (vTPM) Support | Enhanced data protection strategies | Improved encryption and security for virtual environments |
| Infrastructure | Azure Stack HCI 23H2 Support | VMM 2025 can manage Azure Stack HCI clusters | Unified hybrid infrastructure management |
| Infrastructure | Latest Linux Distribution Support | Comprehensive Windows and Linux environment handling | Broader platform support and management capabilities |
| Integration | SharePoint Subscription Edition | DPM 2025 seamless integration | Enhanced enterprise application backup solutions |
| Cloud | Enhanced Azure Arc Integration | Improved setup and feature integration | Simplified hybrid cloud management and monitoring |
| Backup | Selective Disk Backup Exclusion | Exclude specific disks from Hyper-V backups | Optimized backup performance and storage efficiency |
| Modernization | Hotpatching for VMM VMs | Arc-enabled Hotpatching capabilities | Reduced downtime and improved system availability |
Core Capability Evolution
| Capability | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Enhancement Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Framework | Basic security controls | Secure by design architecture | Comprehensive security enhancements across all components |
| Authentication | Standard CredSSP/NTLM support | Reduced CredSSP/NTLM usage with TLS 1.3 | Modern authentication protocols and enhanced security |
| Azure Integration | Basic Azure connectivity | Enhanced Azure Arc integration | Seamless hybrid cloud management and lifecycle operations |
| Virtualization Management | Standard VM management | Azure Stack HCI 23H2 support | Unified control of heterogeneous infrastructure |
| Data Protection | Standard backup capabilities | vTPM support and selective disk exclusion | Advanced data protection with optimized performance |
| Platform Support | Windows-focused management | Enhanced Linux distribution support | Comprehensive multi-platform management |
| Collaboration | Teams integration and RBAC | Enhanced Teams integration with improved RBAC | Continued collaboration improvements with security focus |
| Monitoring | Standard SCOM capabilities | Enhanced monitoring with Arc integration | Improved visibility and hybrid monitoring capabilities |
Security Enhancement Comparison
| Security Feature | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Security Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication Protocols | CredSSP/NTLM standard usage | Reduced CredSSP/NTLM scenarios | Minimized legacy protocol exposure |
| Data Transmission | TLS 1.2 support | TLS 1.3 support | Latest encryption standards |
| Credential Management | Local credential storage | Azure Key Vault integration | Centralized and secure credential management |
| Virtual Machine Security | Standard VM protection | Virtual TPM (vTPM) support | Hardware-level security for virtual environments |
| Backup Security | Standard backup encryption | Enhanced backup with selective exclusion | Optimized security with performance benefits |
| Hybrid Security | Basic Azure security | Enhanced Azure Arc security integration | Comprehensive hybrid security management |
Detailed Licensing and Pricing Analysis
System Center 2025 maintains the established licensing framework while implementing a 10% price increase that reflects continued development and improvement investments. The licensing model remains consistent with System Center 2022, using server and client management licenses with endpoint-based licensing requirements [2].
Base License Costs Comparison
| Edition | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Price Difference | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datacenter Edition | $3,607 | $3,968 | +$361 | +10.0% |
| Standard Edition | $1,323 | $1,455 | +$132 | +10.0% |
Licensing Model Consistency
| Licensing Aspect | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing Model | Server and client management licenses | Server and client management licenses | Unchanged licensing approach |
| Endpoint Requirements | Licenses required for managed endpoints | Licenses required for managed endpoints | Consistent endpoint-based licensing |
| SQL Server Integration | No additional licenses for SQL Server Standard | No additional licenses for SQL Server Standard | Continued SQL Server Standard inclusion |
| Core-based Licensing | Physical core-based licensing | Physical core-based licensing (8-core minimum) | Aligned with Windows Server 2025 model |
| Virtualization Rights | Based on edition | Based on edition | Consistent virtualization licensing |
Total Cost of Ownership Scenarios
Small Business Deployment (50 managed endpoints)
| Component | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition License | $1,323 | $1,455 | +$132 |
| Management Licenses (50 endpoints) | Included in base license | Included in base license | $0 |
| Total Cost | $1,323 | $1,455 | +$132 (+10.0%) |
Medium Enterprise Deployment (500 managed endpoints)
| Component | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datacenter Edition License | $3,607 | $3,968 | +$361 |
| Management Licenses (500 endpoints) | Included in base license | Included in base license | $0 |
| Total Cost | $3,607 | $3,968 | +$361 (+10.0%) |
Large Enterprise Deployment (2000 managed endpoints, multiple servers)
| Component | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | Cost Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Datacenter Edition Licenses (4 servers) | $14,428 | $15,872 | +$1,444 |
| Management Licenses (2000 endpoints) | Included in base license | Included in base license | $0 |
| Total Cost | $14,428 | $15,872 | +$1,444 (+10.0%) |
Value Justification Analysis
| Value Driver | System Center 2022 | System Center 2025 | ROI Enhancement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Improvements | Standard security controls | Comprehensive security enhancements | Reduced security incident costs and compliance benefits |
| Azure Integration | Basic Azure connectivity | Enhanced Azure Arc integration | Simplified hybrid management reducing operational overhead |
| Infrastructure Support | Limited hybrid capabilities | Azure Stack HCI and enhanced Linux support | Broader platform support reducing tool sprawl |
| Operational Efficiency | Standard management capabilities | Hotpatching and selective backup features | Reduced downtime and optimized backup performance |
| Future-Proofing | 2022 feature set | Modern security and cloud integration | Extended platform lifecycle and reduced migration costs |
Strategic Recommendations
The 10% price increase for System Center 2025 is justified by substantial security enhancements, expanded platform support, and improved Azure integration capabilities that deliver measurable operational benefits. Organizations should evaluate their security requirements, hybrid cloud strategy, and infrastructure complexity when considering the upgrade from System Center 2022.
For organizations with significant Azure investments or hybrid cloud initiatives, the enhanced Azure Arc integration and Azure Stack HCI support provide compelling value that can offset the licensing cost increase through improved operational efficiency. The security enhancements, particularly the reduction in legacy authentication protocols and TLS 1.3 support, address critical compliance and security requirements that many organizations face.
Small businesses with limited hybrid requirements may find System Center 2022 sufficient for current needs, while enterprises managing complex, heterogeneous environments should prioritize System Center 2025 to leverage the enhanced security and integration capabilities. The consistent licensing model ensures predictable upgrade costs and simplified migration planning.
Organizations should consider their infrastructure modernization timeline, security compliance requirements, and Azure adoption strategy when choosing between versions. The maintained endpoint-based licensing and SQL Server Standard integration minimize additional licensing complexity while providing access to advanced management capabilities.
System Center 2025 represents a strategic evolution focused on security, modernization, and hybrid cloud integration. While the 10% price increase reflects continued development investments, the enhanced security framework, Azure Arc integration, and expanded platform support provide compelling value for organizations managing complex IT environments.
The consistent licensing model between versions facilitates straightforward upgrade planning, while new security and integration features provide competitive advantages that justify the investment. Organizations should align their System Center version choice with security requirements, hybrid cloud strategy, and infrastructure modernization goals to maximize return on investment.
References
[1] Microsoft. (2024, November 6). Microsoft System Center 2025 is now generally available
[2] The Register. (2024, October 3). Microsoft lifts the price of System Center by ten percent
[3] Microsoft TechCommunity. (2022, April 1). Announcement: System Center 2022 is here!
[4] Microsoft. (2025). System Center—Licensing & Pricing
