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Can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 or 2 Onboard Windows Server?

Khadija Khan Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Windows Server systems can be onboarded to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 or Plan 2 using local scripts and be centrally managed.

Can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 or Plan 2 Onboard Windows Server?

Product: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Device & OS: Windows Server
Scenario: Determining licensing applicability and onboarding support for Windows Server using Defender for Endpoint plans.
Observed behavior: Organizations need clarity on whether standard Plan 1 or Plan 2 covers Windows Servers and if local onboarding scripts are officially supported.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft Defender licensing plan (Plan 1, Plan 2, or Defender for Servers) and ensure you have administrative access to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Licensing and Onboard via the Defender Portal

Determine the correct licensing for servers and use the Microsoft 365 Defender portal to generate a local onboarding script for Windows Server.

Typically, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 are licensed per user for client devices. To centrally manage and protect Windows Server environments, organizations generally need to use Microsoft Defender for Servers (via Microsoft Defender for Cloud) or acquire a specific Defender for Endpoint Server license. Once licensed, you can use local scripts to onboard your servers.

Access the Microsoft 365 Defender Portal

Navigate to the Onboarding Section

In the left-hand navigation menu, scroll down to 'Settings', click on 'Endpoints', and then select 'Onboarding' under the Device management section.

Select the Operating System

From the 'Select operating system to start onboarding process' dropdown list, choose your specific Windows Server version (e.g., Windows Server 2019/2022).

Download the Local Script

Under 'Deployment method', select 'Local Script' from the dropdown and click 'Download package' to get the script for onboarding your Windows Server.

Check Licensing and Onboard via the Defender Portal

Solution 2

Seek Official Guidance on Microsoft Q&A

If you encounter specific script errors or have complex licensing questions, consult the Microsoft Q&A community as recommended by Microsoft Support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 for Windows Server?

Generally, Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 are licensed per user and intended for client devices (like Windows 10/11). To protect Windows Servers, organizations usually need to license them through Microsoft Defender for Servers (integrated via Microsoft Defender for Cloud) or a standalone Defender for Endpoint Server license.

Is local script onboarding supported for Windows Server in Defender for Endpoint?

Yes, local onboarding scripts are supported for Windows Server. You can download the specific onboarding package for your server OS directly from the Settings > Endpoints > Onboarding section in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.

Where should I ask advanced questions about Microsoft Defender licensing?

For detailed inquiries about licensing, centralized management, and specific deployment scripts for Windows Server, the official recommendation is to post your questions on the Microsoft Q&A platform using the appropriate Defender or Windows Server tags.

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