Windows server список версий

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows Server

Windows Server (formerly Windows NT Server) is a brand name for server-oriented releases of the Windows NT operating system (OS) that have been developed by Microsoft since 1993. The first release under this brand name is Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server, an edition of Windows NT 3.1. With the release of Windows Server 2003, Microsoft started releasing new versions under the name Windows Server. The latest release of Windows NT under the Windows Server brand is Windows Server 2025.^[2]

Microsoft’s history of developing operating systems for servers goes back to Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server. Windows 2000 Server is the first release to include Active Directory, DNS Server, DHCP Server, and Group Policy.

History

Windows NT Server 3.x

Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server was released on July 27, 1993^{[citation needed]} as an edition of Windows NT 3.1, an operating system aimed towards business and server use. As with its Workstation counterpart, Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server was a 32 bit rewrite of the Windows kernel that retained a similar use interface to Windows 3.1. Unlike the latter, however, Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server was a complete operating system that did not need to be run from DOS. Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server, like its Workstation counterpart, featured new features such as multiuser support and preemptive multitasking.^[3]
In 1994, Microsoft released Windows NT Server 3.5. It introduced TCP/IP and Winsock support integrated into the operating system, alongside the ability to use FTP. It also supported VFAT.^{[citation needed]}

In 1995, Microsoft released Windows NT Server 3.51, an update to Windows NT Server 3.5, which added NTFS compression and support for the PowerPC architecture.^{[citation needed]}

Windows NT Server 4.0

In 1996, Microsoft released Windows NT Server 4.0. It added the new user interface introduced in Windows 95 the previous year. In addition, it dropped support for the PowerPC, Alpha, and MIPS architectures. Microsoft updated Winsock to version 2 and IIS 2.0 and FrontPage are included.^{[citation needed]}

Windows 2000 Server

Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003 is based on a modified version of Windows XP.

Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2

Windows Server 2008 is based on Windows Vista SP1, while Windows Server 2008 R2 is based on Windows 7.

Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 is based on Windows 8, while Windows Server 2012 R2 is based on Windows 8.1.

Windows Server 2016, 2019 and 2022

These versions of Windows Server are all based on Windows 10. Windows Server 2016 is based on Windows 10, version 1607, Windows Server 2019 is based on Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2022 is based on a modified version of Windows 10, version 21H2.

Windows Server 2025

This version of Windows Server is based on Windows 11. Windows Server 2025 is based on Windows 11, version 24H2.^[4]

Members

Main releases

Main releases include:

• Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server (July 27, 1993)
• Windows NT Server 3.5 (September 21, 1994)
• Windows NT Server 3.51 (May 30, 1995)

• Windows NT 4.0 Server (August 24, 1996)
• Windows 2000 Server (December 15, 1999)
• Windows Server 2003 (April 24, 2003)^[5]
• Windows Server 2003 R2 (December 6, 2005)^[6]
• Windows Server 2008 (February 27, 2008)^[7]
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (October 22, 2009)^[8]
• Windows Server 2012 (September 4, 2012)^[9]
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (October 17, 2013)^[10]
• Windows Server 2016 (October 12, 2016)^[11]
• Windows Server 2019 (October 2, 2018)^[12]
• Windows Server 2022 (August 18, 2021)^[13]
• Windows Server 2025 (November 1, 2024)^[14]

Traditionally, Microsoft supports Windows Server for 10 years, with five years of mainstream support and an additional five years of extended support. These releases also offer a complete desktop experience. Starting with Windows Server 2008, Server Core and Nano Server configurations were made available to reduce the OS footprint.^[15][16] Between 2015 and 2021, Microsoft referred to these releases as «long-term support» releases to set them apart from semi-annual releases (see below.)

For sixteen years, Microsoft released a major version of Windows Server every four years, with one minor version released two years after a major release. The minor versions had an «R2» suffix in their names. In October 2018, Microsoft broke this tradition with the release of Windows Server 2019, which would have been «Windows Server 2016 R2». Windows Server 2022 is also a minor upgrade over its predecessor.^[17][18]

Branded releases

Certain editions of Windows Server have a customized name:

• Windows Storage Server (editions of Windows Server 2003 through 2016; editions of Windows Server IoT 2019 and its successors)^[19][20][21]
• Windows HPC Server 2008
• Windows HPC Server 2008 R2
• Windows Home Server (an edition of Windows Server 2003)
• Windows Home Server 2011 (an edition of Windows Server 2008 R2)
• Hyper-V Server (a discontinued,^[22] freeware edition of Windows Server 2008 through 2019)^[23]
• Windows MultiPoint Server
• Windows Server Essentials^[24][25]
• Windows Essential Business Server (discontinued)^[26]
• Azure Stack HCI (an edition of Windows Server 2019 and later)^[27]

Semi-Annual releases (discontinued)

Following the release of Windows Server 2016, Microsoft attempted to mirror the lifecycle of Windows 10 in the Windows Server family, releasing new versions twice a year which were supported for 18 months. These semi-annual versions were only available as part of Microsoft subscription services, including Software Assurance, Azure Marketplace, and Visual Studio subscriptions,^[28] until their discontinuation in July 2021.^[29][28]

The semi-annual releases do not include any desktop environments. Instead, they are restricted to the Nano Server configuration installed in a Docker container,^[16][28] and the Server Core configuration, licensed only to serve as a container host.^[16][28]

Semi-Annual releases include:^[30]

• Windows Server, version 1709 (unsupported as of April 9, 2019; 6 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 1803 (unsupported as of November 12, 2019; 5 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 1809 (unsupported as of November 10, 2020; 4 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 1903 (unsupported as of December 8, 2020; 4 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 1909 (unsupported as of May 11, 2021; 4 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 2004 (unsupported as of December 14, 2021; 3 years ago)
• Windows Server, version 20H2 (unsupported as of August 9, 2022; 2 years ago)^{[31][32][33][34]}

Annual releases

The Annual Channel was first announced in July 2023, with the first version being released on September the same year. Unlike the Semi-Annual releases, each Annual Channel release would receive six months of extended support in addition to the 18 months of regular support. Annual releases are made available every twelve months, hence the name. Datacenter is the only edition available.

Annual releases include:^[35]

• Windows Server, version 23H2

See also

• List of Microsoft Windows versions
• Microsoft Servers
• Linux range of use § Servers, mainframes and supercomputers
• NetWare
• Open Enterprise Server

References

External links

• Official website

Microsoft has been making client operating systems since 1985, when Windows 1.01 was first launched. However, the first server was not released till 1993 after the introduction of New Technology (NT). Since then, 14 different versions have been released (Windows Server 2022 is the latest version available at the time of writing this post).

Windows Servers are used for enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications. Using this group of operating systems, administrators can apply and implement policies while enhancing their network’s security infrastructure.

In this post, we will discuss the different Windows Server versions, what unique feature(s) they brought, and in what order they were released.

A common misunderstanding some people have is between the Server versions and their editions. The version of the server is either denoted by integers (this naming convention is no longer used) or suffixed with its corresponding year. For example, previously, Microsoft named a server version “Windows NT 3.5” or “Windows NT 4.0.” Now, they use “Windows Server 2003” or “Windows Server 2019.”

If you are confusing this with the Server editions, click on the link to read more about it.

Windows Server Timeline

The image below illustrates when a Windows Server version was initially released. You can then continue to read below to understand how each of these is different.

Картинка с сайта: www.itechtics.com

Windows Server History

The table below briefly describes the important aspects of each of the Windows Server versions along with some other useful information.

The table above briefly describes all the significant changes as well as the release details of individual Windows Server versions since Microsoft first launched the operating system back in 1993.

Let us now dig into the details of each version.

Windows Server NT Versions

Initially, Microsoft used the New Technology (NT) terminology when releasing Windows Server. Moreover, the first version ever to be released publicly wasn’t version 1, but it was 3.1.

Another thing to note is that the different editions of each version did not kick in until 2000, with Windows Server 2000. Before that, Servers were only offered as a single, standard edition.

Windows NT Server 3.1

Windows NT Server 3.1 was the first Server by Microsoft. This was an operating system with a 32-bit architecture that was released in 1993. This was released in 2 variants: one for Terminals and another for Servers.

The version for Servers is what evolved into the Server family which continues to date.

Windows NT Server 3.5

Microsoft then skipped directly to version 3.5. Since most networks ran Unix or Novell servers, Windows NT Server 3.5 allowed interconnectivity with these systems for convenient data transmission.

This was a major feature for the sustainability of NT Servers since they were relatively new to the market.

Windows NT Server 3.51

Windows NT Server 3.51 had the capabilities to manage computers running Windows 95 on the same network. Server 3.51 also supported the management of software licenses for client computers and update other Windows 95 machines over the network.

Windows NT Server 4.0

This Server version included a UI similar to Windows 94 and was released in 1996. This included the Internet Information Server (IIS) which was in direct competition with Apache HTTP Server.

Furthermore, Microsoft also added the Transaction Server and the Message Queue Server to improve the OS. In the end, Microsoft improved the connectivity to non-Windows systems and also created a bridge from 16-bit DOS applications so that they could interface with the 32-bit Desktop environment.

Rebranded Windows Server Versions

In 2000, Microsoft dropped the “NT” version naming convention and shifted to a year-based release name. For example, “Windows Server 2000” was released in the year 2000.

Windows Server 2000

Windows Server 2000 was a major milestone for Microsoft since many of the features are still in use today by modern versions of the Server.

Windows Server 2000 included support for XML, creation of Active Server Pages (ASP), and the use of Active Directory for user authentication. It also introduced the concept of tailored editions, which included the standard Windows Server, Microsoft released Advanced Server, and Datacenter Server.

Editions: Server, Advanced Server, Datacenter Server

Windows Server 2003

The major change in Server 2003 was the reduction of system reboot requirements after an event. Microsoft also enhanced the security features of the operating system, and this was the first time that the .NET environment was included with the Windows Server operating system.

It was also the first time a Server was able to assign server roles, enabling the operating system to be tailored to specific specialized tasks, such as a DNS server.

Editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter

Windows Server 2003 R2

This was Revision 2 (R2) of Windows Server 2003. This allowed users with valid licenses for Server 2003 to automatically upgrade to Server 2003 R2 without any additional costs.

This version mostly focused on enhancing the security of the OS as well as the network. It introduced Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) for user authentication. The purpose of this AD extension was to enable external services to be included in the “single sign-on” permissions managed within the network.

Another improvement to this version was the Active Directory Application Mode, which improved security by creating an “arm’s length” relationship with third-party applications – it did not trust the apps that well.

Furthermore, administrators were now able to apply and implement Group Policies on other users and computers using the Security Configuration Wizard.

Editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 was the first Server OS to include a Hyper-V virtualization system, upon which users can implement Virtual Machines (VMs) and install operating systems. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Event Viewer and the Server Manager made it easier for the administrators to troubleshoot any issues and then manage their Servers more conveniently.

Not only that, but Microsoft went a step ahead and also introduced the Core version of Windows Server 2008, which was a command line-based OS with a bare minimum User Interface (UI).

Editions: Web, Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter

Windows Server 2008 R2

This was the first Server to have a 64-bit architecture. Windows Server 2008 R2 made significant improvements to the Active Directory Group Policy implementation, with the inclusion of new policies. It also included Remote Desktop Services for the very first time on a Server OS.

Editions: Web, Foundation, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter

Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 included better features for off-site server integration. This was mainly done by Microsoft so it can be integrated with cloud servers and services. Furthermore, they also updated the storage system with this OS, which was mediated by Hyper-V itself.

Not only that, but the Hyper-V virtual switch and Hyper-V Replica were also introduced in Server 2012.

Editions: Foundation, Essentials, Standard, Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 R2

This revision to Server 2012 made further improvements to the cloud integration. It also included updates to Windows PowerShell. Virtualization and storage technologies were also overhauled and the Web services were enhanced.

Editions: Foundation, Essentials, Standard, Datacenter

Windows Server 2016

Server 2012 introduced the Nano Server – a minimal, lightweight server implementation to minimize the attack surface. An encryption system was also added for Hyper-V to secure the VMs.

Another milestone for Microsoft was the support for containers.

That said, at this point, Microsoft discontinued R2 versions of the Servers as they had shifted to the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC).

Server 2016 also included the Network Controller. This enabled administrators to manage both physical as well as virtual network devices using a single console. However, this feature is only available in the Datacenter edition.

Editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter

Windows Server 2019

Previously known as Project Honolulu, Windows Admin Center was launched for the first time and is an integrated all-in-one console to manage your Active Directory. Integrated servers, machines, and users can also be managed using this one console only, along with services and server roles.

It also includes Hyperconvereged Infrastructure (HCI) capabilities which is a software that combines all of the basic data center elements, such as computing, storage, networking, and management, into a single software. This facility aims to obtain all the functions of a miniature data center without the additional hardware costs.

You can read more about other enhancements and improvements in our post for Server 2019.

Editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter

Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2022 is the latest version of Server at the time of writing this post.

This includes Azure Arc, which is used to manage and govern on-prem servers within Microsoft Azure. Furthermore, it also includes support for hotpatching – which is installing updates without having to reboot the target PC.

Improvements to networking have also been improved by the inclusion of software-defined networking capabilities. Supports SMB over QUIC capability for safer communications. It’s designed for VPN replacement and relies on UDP and TLS 1.3 protocols for faster and safer communication.

You can read more about other enhancements and improvements in our post for Server 2022.

Editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter, Datacenter: Azure edition

Windows Server 2025

Windows Server 2025 introduces features such as hotpatching, which allows for applying updates without restarting, and enhanced NVMe performance for better storage handling.

It also includes updates to Active Directory and SMB protocols, improving security and efficiency. It’s still in Public Preview and will be released soon. You can download Windows Server 2025 now.

Final Thoughts

Windows Server has come a long way since its debut in 1993. This has improved UI as well as many other functional improvements for manageability. Such improvements are the reason why Microsoft releases new versions every few years – so organizations can take advantage of the new features.

Each of these versions then had different variants, which are known as editions. You may click on the link to learn about the different editions and how they differ from one another. But it doesn’t end here.

The Datacenter and Standard editions also come with different variants – which are the Core and Desktop Experience variants.

To sum up, the complete name of a Windows Server operating system can be as such: Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Core Evaluation. This means that the version is Server 2022, the edition is Datacenter with the bare minimum UI (Core), and is the Evaluation edition and only valid for a total of 180 days since its installation.

Windows Server (formerly known as Windows NT 3.1 and Windows 2000 Server) is a brand name for a group of server operating systems released by Microsoft. It includes all Windows operating systems that are branded «Windows Server», but not any other Microsoft product. The first Windows server edition to be released under that brand was Windows Server 2003. However, the first server edition of Windows was Windows NT 3.1 followed by Windows NT 3.5, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows 2000 Server; the latter was the first server edition to include Active Directory, DNS Server, DHCP Server, Group Policy, SQL Server, as well as many other popular features used today.

Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC)[]

Windows Server operating system releases under the Long Term Servicing Channel are supported by Microsoft for 10 years, with five years of mainstream support and an additional five years of extended support. These releases also offer a complete GUI desktop experience, along with GUI less setups such as Server Core and Nano Server for releases that support them.

This channel includes the following operating systems:

• Windows 2000 Server (February 2000)
• Windows Server 2003 (April 2003)
• Windows Server 2003 R2 (December 2005)
• Windows Server 2008 (February 2008)
• Windows Server 2008 R2 (October 2009)
• Windows Server 2012 (September 2012)
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (October 2013)
• Windows Server 2016 (September 2016)
• Windows Server 2019 (October 2018)
• Windows Server 2022 (August 2021)
• Windows Server 2025 (November 2024)

Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)[]

Windows Server operating system releases under the Semi-Annual Channel are supported by Microsoft for 18 months. Microsoft targets two releases of Windows Server per year under this channel. These releases do not offer any GUI desktop environments, and include Server Core and Nano Server.

Operating systems from this channel are available as part of subscription services, including Software Assurance, Azure Marketplace, Visual Studio subscriptions, and others.

This channel includes the following operating systems:

• Windows Server, version 1709 (September 2017)
  • This version was originally available for Microsoft Software Assurance customers with an active Windows Server 2016 license.
• Windows Server, version 1803
• Windows Server, version 1809

Certain editions of Windows Server have a customized name. For example, all editions of Windows Server to this date had a Windows Storage Server edition. Starting with Windows Server 2012, Windows Storage Server was discontinued, as Microsoft consolidated the editions to Standard and Datacenter. Other examples include Windows Home Server and Windows HPC Server.

Microsoft has also produced Windows Server Essentials (formerly Windows Small Business Server) and the discontinued Windows Essential Business Server, software bundles which include a somewhat restricted Windows Server operating system and some other Microsoft Server products.

Deployment[]

Users of Windows Server may choose to deploy either on-site or using a cloud computing service. Each provides different advantages.

By delegating the managing and upkeep of the server to a cloud computing service such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services, users get the benefit of paying monthly based on usage rather than a large fixed cost. Furthermore, infrastructure tends to be more reliable and it is easier to scale up as necessary. However, buying and running a server in-house may be a better choice in certain cases when it is more cost effective. Other use cases such as using a Windows server to manage client computers in a facility are also appropriate for running a physical server.

References[]

External links[]

• Windows Server at Microsoft
• Windows Server at Wikipedia

If this is true, Windows Server It is one of Microsoft’s most popular services at present. If so, the distribution of this technology is being done by companies designed primarily for use in servers.

In this sense, as a multi-process and multi-tenant system, it offers many advantages to the companies that use it. Running multiple server functions and different OS on a single server, so how to reduce the amount of hardware necessary to support server workloads, and reduce There software and hardware installation.

Therefore, it is necessary to know everything about Windows Server. But first of all, its origin and development, as well as all the versions that currently exist, listing its main features.

You can also read: How to fix error 0x80073701: Windows Update Installation Error

What is Windows Server and what does Microsoft use it for?

First of all, it is worth knowing what this Microsoft tool is and why we call it a distribution from this company for use on servers. Basically, this means that it is a server operating system that allows your computer to perform network functionsIt is multi-threaded and multi-user as mentioned above.

It is worth mentioning that Windows Server was developed in the language of programming C++, which is used by billions of businesses worldwide due to its excellent features and benefits. Since this system can be used by all members of the company, it allows for centralized management and administration of files.

In addition, the Microsoft distribution in question supports the work of programmers and developers because allows for complete improvement operational productivity. Among other advantages, it has a very simple and flexible administration that allows for fast and efficient management.

Origins

As for the origins of this important tool, it should be noted that the first version was «Windows 2000 Server», which, as its name indicates, It was launched at the beginning of the new millenniumIn the year 2000.

Since then, it has been recognized as the ideal solution when it was not necessary to have a separate server for each task, since everything could be centralized on a single server thanks to this tool, which at the time could support up to four processors. Therefore, it was developed as a file, print and web server for different companies.

Evolution

As you know, Microsoft has made significant improvements to Windows Server & Hosting over time and the latest version is 2019; Therefore, given the enormous importance of this Microsoft tool, it is valuable to take a brief look at its evolution from the first to the latest version.

Thus, over the years, it has become increasingly adapted to modern needs. In this sense, it is worth noting that the ease of management of each version has increased, making the work of developers and programmers very manageable.

In addition, performance in the latest versions has also increased, and from 2000 to 2021, the developer community has grown significantly, so there are more and more applications and systems that already run on this server operating system.

Timeline: All the Windows Server versions available so far

After the above description of the evolution of Windows Server, it is important to know each of the versions that this operating system has had since its beginnings. Therefore, below we list the main characteristics of each of them in chronological order:

Windows Server 2000

Release date: February 17, 2000

As we said before, the origins of this Microsoft tool date back to the early 2000s to be exact. Initially, it was just software designed to be implemented on web service servers.

Main Features:

• The tasks that Server 2000 can perform are: create user accounts, assign resources and permissions, act as web server, FTP server, print server, DNS (domain name resolution), and DHCP server.
• It is very easy to use with its clear interface. It also has a typed menu, and the time icons rarely work and disappear from the settings menu. It also had a search help based on HTML to perform specific searches on local devices and remote files.
• It had a powerful multilingual version, which allowed you to change languages ​​without restarting the device. Even if you have one app in Spanish and another in English, the software can work with both languages ​​simultaneously.
• Technology has been added which makes established networks much easier to use, install, manage and host.

Windows Server 2003

Publication date: April 24, 2003.

Three years after the first version of Windows Server, There is a second security extensionIt is based on NT technology and refers to version 5.2 of the NT kernel.

Main Features:

• The main server functions it performs are: web and web application server, file and print server, mail server, directory server, DN domain system, DHCP server, remote access server/virtual private network (VPN), server of streaming, etc.
• This version of Windows Server is considered one of the operating systems for Faster and safer servers. This is because it offers a high reliability, availability and scalability, in addition to protecting business information.
• It offers excellent value for money, especially when combined with other Microsoft products such as software and hardware, which allows you to get the most out of it to its investment in infrastructure.
• It is about providing tools that allow you to deploy, manage and operate your network infrastructure to obtain Best performance with flexible tools, automated tasks and much more.

Windows Server 2008

Publication date: February 04, 2008.

Five years after the 2003 release, a new version of Windows Server was released that had a lot in common with Windows VistaThis was mainly due to the fact that both systems used parts of Microsoft’s code. Given this, this version, due to its features, can radically change the way the operating system is used.

Main Features:

• Includes a new recovery process of NTFS which runs in the background and retrieves the corrupt files with great efficiency. It has also allowed concurrent user sessions, reducing latency in the Services of Bus Terminal.
• There have been many improvements in the overall performance of Windows Server virtualization. Now It is a transcendental technology in data centers.
• Windows Server 2008 optimized the platform for web applications and provided 30-40 times faster access to media servers.
• He did a great job of protection against the malware while loading the drivers into memory.
• This is the older version that had more numbers available:
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition (x86 and x86-64).
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 All Editions (64-bit only).
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition (x86 and x86-64).
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition (x86 and x86-64).
  • Windows HPC Server 2008 (replaces Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003).
  • Windows Web Server 2008 (x86 and x86-64).
  • Windows Storage Server 2008 (x86 and x86-64).
  • Windows Small Business Server 2008 (codenamed “Cougar”) (x86-64) for small businesses.
  • Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (codenamed «Center») (x86-64) for midsize businesses.
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems.
  • Windows Server 2008 Foundation Server.

Windows Server 2008 R2

Publication date: November 12, 2008.

This version was released later as an enhanced version of Windows Server 2008 and is one of the most significant developments in the IT industry. Windows Server 2008 R2 is the first 64-bit operating system introduced by Microsoft.

It is worth noting that although development on the game ended on September 16 of that same year, it was not officially released until November 12.

Main Features:

• It is the server version of Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system.
• One of the most noticeable improvements is the addition of several new virtualization features, such as live migration and cluster shared volumes.
• Includes lower energy consumption, new Active Directory features such as a container for remote AD objects, a new set of management tools, and a new version of ISS (7.5) that adds an enhanced FTP server.
• In this version of Windows Server, the number of processor cores has been increased from 64 to 256.
• Performance has improved noticeably in this release and has been a major area of ​​development. Microsoft has done a good job of reducing the Boot and improving I/O performance and storage.

Windows Essential Business Server

Publication date: September 16, 2008.

This is the version Designed for medium-sized businesses, thanks to its ideal features for easy management. Since it supports up to 300 users and/or devices. However, it was discontinued in 2010, on June 30th to be exact.

Main Features:

• It is characterized by Offer a single management console and Management through which all managed clients and servers can be monitored and followed.
• This service also includes Microsoft Remote Web Workplace. This is a web-based remote workstation that allows users to more easily access their devices when they are away from email, for example.
• It has a plug-and-play functionality allowing users to easily configure security-optimized remote access to their desktops.
• It is built on Windows Server 2008 code and It has two editions: Standard and Premium.

Windows Small Business Server

Publication date: 2011.

As the name suggests, this Microsoft operating system is designed for small businesses. For this reason, it provides them with specific solutions, such as the remote web workplace, and offers them significant advantages.

Main Features:

• Among the most obvious advantages are integrated configuration management, improving supervision and qualified remote access to access files from anywhere.
• It is also known as Windows SBS and is available in two versions, Windows SBS 2011 Essentials, and Windows SBS 2011 Standard. These are based on the 2 R2008 release.
• Provides automatic backup of company data and has very simple recovery functions. This way, you can protect yourself from the loss of business information.
• It has excellent business features with high quality and performance. With email functions, intranet, Internet access and print file sharing.
• Provides the tools you need to easily organize all your information.

Windows Server 2012

Available on September 04, 2012.

It is mainly about a server version of Windows 8 and of course the official successor to Windows Server 2008 R2. It should also be noted that the main goal was to gain subscribers.

Main Features:

• It has a feature called Active Directory Federation Services that allows you to configure AD FS to authenticate users stored outside of AD.
• Provides Windows Server Antimalware, which is installed and activated by default without a graphical user interface.
• One of its main features is soft reset. It can speed up the boot process, skip hardware initialization and restart the software by itself.
• Provides remote desktop services compatible with OpenGL 4.4 and OpenCL 1.1, which improves performance and stability.

Windows Server 2019.

Publication date: October 02, 2018 was the first publication.

Three years later, The latest version of Windows Server has been released, based on Server 2016. It stands out because it offers companies a hybrid environment that allows both the public cloud and local environments.

Main Features:

• There are only two versions: Standard and Datacenter. Datacenter offers more and better features (such as SMB Direct and others not available in the Standard version).
• The Windows Server 2019 installer gives you the option to install in Core mode (or minimal user interface) for remote management, or in Desktop mode (or full user interface) for local management.
• Provides advanced security layered with data center protection inside the operating system.
• Simplify cloud application development and modernizes traditional applications with microservices and containers.
• It incorporates an unprecedented hyperconverged infrastructure for more effective and reliable protection.

You can also read: How to fix Windows Update error 0x80080005 in Windows 10

When wondering which version of Windows Server to choose for their business, users, as a rule, are faced with a wide variety, and it is far from always clear how to choose the most suitable option. The Windows Server operating system has not only different versions but also different editions. Let’s look at the differences between them.

What is a version of Windows Server?

In the 90s, during the time of Windows NT, each version of Windows Server had a unique number. For example, Windows NT had numbers 3.1, 3.51, and 4.0. But starting in 2000, Microsoft began to add, after the name, the year the operating system was launched: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, 2008 (which also had version R2), 2012 (also with R2), 2016 and 2019, etc.

Each new version of Microsoft Windows Server introduces new functionality. For example, Hyper-V, Server Core, and BitLocker virtualization were introduced in Windows Server 2008, Windows and Nano Server containers were introduced in  Windows Server 2016, and  Windows Server 2019  brought Windows Admin Center — a new way to remotely administer the server infrastructure, improve the hyper-converged infrastructure and deep support for the Linux subsystem.

What is the end of support?

As they say, nothing lasts forever. And at some point, Microsoft stops releasing patches for legacy software. The date by which Microsoft releases product updates is called the end date of support. And after this date has passed, an outdated version of the OS will become an easy target for malware, since it will no longer receive security updates and, therefore, will be vulnerable to new exploits.

Microsoft operating systems are usually supported for at least 10 years. For example, the popular Windows Server 2003, released in April 2003, had extensive support that ended in 2015. Extended support for Windows Server 2008 R2 should end in January 2020, and Windows Server 2012 R2 will continue to receive updates until at least October 2023. Versions of Server 2016 and 2019 will receive updates through 2027 and 2029, respectively. Therefore, for security reasons, organizations should only use the latest versions of Windows Server.

What is the Windows Server edition?

When you buy a car, at least several sets of the same model are available to you. For example, the basic economical option, a luxurious option with leather seats and a sunroof, as well as a sporty option with larger wheels and a more powerful engine. In other words, each version of the car has its price and feature set for groups of customers with different budgets and needs.

The same goes for Windows Server editions. Each option includes functionality that is suitable for different companies, depending on their size and budget. For example, different editions may support a different number of users.

Differences between editions of Windows Server 2012 R2

To help understand some of the differences between OS editions, let’s look at an example of Windows Server 2012 R2:

• Foundation is a general-purpose server OS that is best suited for lower-level servers. The OS only supports one processor and 32 GB of RAM. The Foundation edition (not available in Windows Server 2016) is limited to 15 users, which makes it suitable only for small offices. Foundation is only available through OEMs, which usually means it is preinstalled on computers that you buy from companies such as Dell and HPE.
• Essentials(formerly SBS or Small Business Server) is an easy-to-configure server solution that supports up to 25 users and 50 devices, making it suitable for small offices. Essentials support more powerful hardware with up to 64 GB of RAM and two processors. Unlike other editions of Windows Server, Essentials pre-configured roles such as Active Directory, DNS, file services, IIS, and Remote Desktop, making it ideal for organizations with less developed IT or less experienced IT staff.
• Standard does not restrict users, but unlike Foundation and Essentials, you will have to purchase Client Access Licenses (CALs) separately, depending on how many people you need to support. Standard supports a maximum of 4 TB of RAM, and each license purchased extends to two processors. If you are interested in virtualization, this release will allow you to use the Hyper-V hypervisor to run up to two virtual instances of the operating system (additional virtual instances of Windows Server will require additional costs) on the same physical hardware, which makes the Standard edition suitable for a lightly virtualized environment.
• Datacenter is the best and most expensive edition of Windows Server. Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter is almost identical to the standard version with one big exception. With the Datacenter license, you can run an unlimited number of virtual instances with Windows Server as a guest OS on a single dual-processor computer. This small difference has a big impact, as companies can save by running dozens of OS instances on a single server.

The differences between editions of Windows Server 2016 and 2019

• Hyper-V is a free edition of Windows Server designed only to launch the Hyper-V hypervisor role. Its goal is to be a hypervisor for your virtual environment. It does not have a graphical interface. This is a stripped-down version of Server Core. You will use sconfig.cmd to enable the hypervisor, and then manage the environment using Hyper-V Manager (as part of RSAT) from a Windows 10 workstation on your network. It is recommended that you use this edition for your hypervisor to maintain the purity and simplicity of licensing.
• Essentials — ideal for both small and medium-sized businesses, and people with needs for basic server functions. The GUI is pretty much the same as in Standard, except the Essentials setup wizard.

Virtualization Rights
You are allowed to run one physical Essentials instance as a Hyper-V host that hosts one Essentials virtual instance. You need to remove all roles except the Hyper-V role from the physical instance of Essentials to ensure compliance. Essentials are also suitable for one virtual instance on any other hypervisor.

Licensing model
based on the processor. Client licenses are not required, but you are limited to 25 users and 50 devices connecting to the server.

Hardware limitations
Essentials are limited to 64 GB of RAM and 2 CPUs on the computer on which it is installed.

• Standard — ideal for any company or for people who require advanced features, but they will not be intensively virtualized.

Virtualization Rights
You can run up to two Hyper-V virtual machines or containers or one physical instance with a standard license. If you use the Hyper-V role only on a physical instance, you can use it as a Hyper-V host, and then host two Hyper-V virtual machines on that host. If you want to use multiple roles on a physical instance, you cannot start the virtual machine on top with the same license.

Licensing model
based on the core. Client licenses are required for each user or device that connects indirectly or directly to the server. For example, if you use the server as a file server, you will need a CAL for each user account or computer that accesses this file server on the network.

Hardware limitations
The standard is limited to a maximum of 24 TB of RAM and 512 cores.

• Datacenter— ideal for any company with a high degree of virtualization. You get a license depending on how many cores your hosts have on which any virtual machine with a version of Datacenter can live (run or potentially run after Vmotion). This licensing, at first glance, seems expensive, but it allows you to create an unlimited number of virtual machines running Datacenter on the hosts that you consider. If you have a small number of hosts (and subsequently kernels) and a large number of potential virtual machines, then this license is not difficult.

Virtualization Rights
The unlimited number of virtual machines or Hyper-V containers. As stated above, you will buy licenses depending on how many cores you have on the hosts. At this point, you can run as many virtual machines as you like on the hosts using any role.

Licensing model
based on cores. Make sure that you do not accidentally select this release when installing on a physical server that does not host virtual machines. Client licenses are required for each user or device that connects indirectly or directly to servers in your environment.

Differences in licensing for Windows Server 2016 and newer

Although the prices for Windows Server 2012 R2, 2016, 2019 are the same, if you are using a standard license or a Datacenter license for Windows Server 2016 or later, there are some key changes that you need to be aware of. First of all, while Windows Server licenses have historically been sold for each processor/socket, in Windows Server 2016, the licensing model switched to each core.

Thus, if you have a server containing 2 processors with 24 cores, in Windows Server 2012 you will only need to buy one Standard or Datacenter license. In Windows Server 2016, you will have to buy licenses for all 24 cores. This becomes quite difficult, as there are many rules, but the main thing is that if you have a 16-core server, the costs will be approximately the same. However, OS licensing may be more expensive on servers with a higher core density.

Despite the change to the core license, the virtualization rules remain the same in Windows Server 2016 and later. Once you have licensed all your cores on the server, with the standard version you get 2 licenses for the Windows Server guest OS compared to the unlimited number in the Datacenter version.

Also, the features in Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter were the same. But some features of Windows Server 2016, such as Storage Spaces Direct or shielded virtual machines, are only available in the Datacenter release.

Comparing installation options for Windows Server 2016 and 2019

Standard and Datacenter editions offer a variety of installation options. These options affect what features will be available after installation, such as a graphical user interface and a set of services. The following installation options are available:

• Desktop Experience (with a graphical interface);
• Core;
• Nano

Desktop Experience is an installation option that most people are familiar with. This option installs most of the functions and roles out of the box, including the desktop GUI. You will receive the Server Manager, which allows you to add and remove roles and components. The advantage is that the system can be easier to manage for people who are used to using a graphical interface. The downside is that you have more updates, reboots, and open ports to deal with.

Learn more from Microsoft here.

The Server Core lacks a graphical interface and several roles that are installed by default under the Desktop Experience option. The server core has less disk space and, therefore, a smaller attack area due to the smaller codebase. There are also fewer updates, reboots, and open ports to work with. This is a great option for infrastructure servers such as Active Directory domain controllers and DNS servers.

This edition lacks accessibility tools, built-in server configuration tools, and sound support. This version is no frills. It will not be amiss to make sure that you are familiar with command-line administration.

You can read more about this on Microsoft’s site.

Nano

Starting with Windows Server 2019, Nano is only available as a containerized image of the operating system. It is designed to run as a container inside a container host, such as the Server Core mentioned above. If you rely on container applications designed for server OS, then you will use this version to compile these applications.

Nano can be deployed using Standard or Datacenter versions, but you must have Software Assurance attached to the host server licensing. You can learn more about this on the website of Microsoft.