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Microsoft Configuration Manager
What Microsoft Configuration Manager is
Microsoft Configuration Manager is paid software for administering Windows environments. It supports Windows, Windows Server, and Windows Embedded, with support for existing macOS clients. Administrators can schedule deployments, apply third-party app patches, and defer reboots. Offline device support is not available. There is no free plan. System Center 2025 Standard costs $1,455 a month at the suggested retail price and covers two operating system environments or Hyper-V containers, plus unlimited Windows Server containers. System Center 2025 Datacenter costs $3,968 a month at the suggested retail price and covers unlimited operating system environments or Hyper-V containers, plus unlimited Windows Server containers. Actual customer prices may vary. The two listed plans therefore differ mainly in the number of operating system environments or Hyper-V containers included, while both provide unlimited Windows Server containers.
Who it suits
It suits organizations managing supported Windows environments that need scheduled deployments, third-party patching, and deferred reboot controls. Buyers should note that macOS support applies only to existing clients and offline devices are unsupported.
What it does well
- Third-party app patching is supported
- Scheduled deployment is available
- Reboots can be deferred
- Supports Windows Server and Windows Embedded
- Both plans include unlimited Windows Server containers
What to know first
- No free plan
- Offline device support is unavailable
- Pricing starts at $1,455 a month
- macOS support is limited to existing clients
Limits
The Standard plan covers two operating system environments or Hyper-V containers; Datacenter covers unlimited environments. Both plans include unlimited Windows Server containers, and there is no free plan.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| System Center 2025 Standard | Suggested Retail Price (MSRP); actual customer prices may vary · 2 operating system environments / Hyper-V containers · Unlimited Windows Server containers | $1,455 a month |
| System Center 2025 Datacenter | Suggested Retail Price (MSRP); actual customer prices may vary · Unlimited operating system environments / Hyper-V containers · Unlimited Windows Server containers | $3,968 a month |
As learn.microsoft.com lists them, read 22 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Microsoft Configuration Manager website
- Choose the System Center 2025 Standard or Datacenter plan
- Select the plan based on required operating system environments or Hyper-V containers
- Deploy to supported Windows, Windows Server, or Windows Embedded systems
- Add existing macOS clients if they are part of the environment
- Schedule deployments and configure deferred reboot controls
Verdict
Microsoft Configuration Manager focuses on Windows administration with patching, scheduling, and reboot controls. The Standard and Datacenter plans provide different environment allowances, and pricing is listed as suggested retail pricing with actual customer prices varying.
Questions
What does Microsoft Configuration Manager cost?
System Center 2025 Standard costs $1,455 a month at MSRP. System Center 2025 Datacenter costs $3,968 a month at MSRP; actual customer prices may vary.
Is there a free plan?
No. Microsoft Configuration Manager is listed as paid software without a free plan.
Which platforms are supported?
It supports Windows, Windows Server, and Windows Embedded, plus existing macOS clients.
Does it patch third-party applications?
Yes. Third-party app patching is supported.
Can deployments be scheduled and reboots deferred?
Yes. Scheduled deployment is available, and reboot controls can defer restarts.
Does it work with offline devices?
Offline device support is not available.
Where Microsoft Configuration Manager stands on Freedom251
- IT Automation Software#63 of 77
- Enterprise IT Management Software#25 of 30
- Patch Management Software#44 of 49
- Configuration Management Tools#24 of 26
- OS Imaging & Deployment Software#23 of 24
- Application Deployment Software#43 of 44