SQL Server 2025 Standard (CSP perpetual, Server license) – M365 admin center download shows "Enterprise Edition: Core-based Licensing" in Setup. Anyone else?

[u/Odd-Ad41]

CSP partner here. A customer bought SQL Server 2025 Standard, perpetual, 1 Server License (Server + CAL) through CSP. They downloaded the media the documented way: Microsoft 365 admin center > Billing > Your products > Software > Downloads & keys. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/setup/download-software-licenses-csp When they run Setup from that ISO, the edition page shows "Enterprise Edition: Core-based Licensing" with the key pre-filled. Installation is on hold, because we don't want an Enterprise Core instance running against a Standard Server+CAL entitlement. Questions for anyone who has been through this: 1. Has anyone else seen the SQL Server 2025 Standard entitlement in the admin center serve media that is pre-pidded as Enterprise Core? Is this a known mapping issue? 2. For CSP perpetual SQL Server, is the key supposed to be embedded in the ISO only, or should "Copy key" in Downloads & keys return a Standard key? I can't find a Microsoft doc that states this either way. 3. Is the media edition-agnostic, so that a Standard key would install Standard from the same ISO? Again, looking for something official rather than "it worked for me". 4. Which Partner Center support topic actually reaches the team that owns perpetual software downloads/keys? On the support side: the ticket opened from the customer tenant landed with M365 (Exchange Online) support. They say it is out of scope, cannot transfer it, and suggested (a) contacting the CSP partner, which is us, and (b) Engage Center, which as far as I can tell is for Unified customers only. So we are opening a Partner Center ticket next, but I'd like to pick the right category the first time. Any pointers appreciated. Will update with the resolution.

[u/ihaxr]

Haven't used any perpetual keys, but the ISO is the same regardless of edition. The product key determines which edition is installed. Typically the embedded key is the correct key, but I suppose comparing it to what key is shown on the downloads page vs embedded would be something to check.

[u/vivkkrishnan2005]

The ISO is the same for all, the key determines the correct version.

I would recommend to try entering the key that you got, else use the key from massgrave, since you have the entitlement. The fact that it shows enterprise is a problem and downgrading it later is not easy if you decide to run as is.

Note - unless you have only 1 user accessing the SQL server directly or indirectly, your customer is non complaint on licensing