What is Windows Server and how does it differ from Windows Desktop?
Windows operating system is one of the popular OS available all around. Microsoft provides both desktop and server versions of Windows. If you look at any of these two for the first time, they would seem similar, however, are used for different purposes.
Windows 10 is a handy operating system that fits the daily usage category, however, Windows Server is used to manage computers, services, and files. If you are confused, which will suit your needs, then read on and decide which one will be apt for you.
Similarities
Similar Code
If you have installed fresh Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016, then you might get confused between the two. With the same start button, desktop, and task view button, it is hard to differentiate. Also, they can run the same software and can use the same kernel.
But as far as similarities are concerned, this is it!
Windows desktop is used for computation and other work at offices, schools, etc. but Windows server is used to run services people use across a certain network.
Windows Server comes with a desktop option, it is recommended to install Windows Server without GUI, to reduce the expenses to run the server. It also includes a push to select Nano Server, which diminishes local login and Graphical user interface abilities in place of using lesser space than conventional Server install.
Windows OS captures a sizeable portion of the Operating System market share. As such, it can be considered as one of the most popular Operating Systems. It offers OS in 2 major variants namely,
- Windows for Desktop
- Windows Server
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 is the latest server edition of Windows 10. You need to know that both serve different purposes. So, let us attempt to understand Windows Server and how it differs from Windows Desktop
Difference between Windows Server and how it differs from Windows Desktop
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 is the latest server edition of Windows 10. It is meant for business and supports higher-end Hardware. Running the same Task View button and featuring the same Start Menu, it is hard to find what’s different between the two siblings. But a few important dissimilarities can help us define their nature.
- Storage, Control, and Network
- Less Accessibility
- Cores Support
- Memory Support
- Network Connections
- Microsoft Store or Edge browser support
- Windows Updates
- Price for deployment
- Higher-End Hardware
- Friendly Desktop Environment
Storage, Control, and Network
While Windows for Desktop is used for computation and other daily chores at offices or schools, Windows server is mainly used to run services people use across a certain network. It can be viewed as a series of enterprise-class server OSes designed to share services with multiple users and have extensive administrative control over data storage, applications, and corporate networks.
Less Accessibility
If you’re on Windows Server, then you can’t sign in to Microsoft account. This greatly limits the scope of accessibility as you can’t use the account go to settings of another PC and use your Microsoft account to download important files/documents/folders via OneDrive or Office Apps. You can only sign in with a domain account.
Cores Support
In terms of cores, Windows 10 with 32-bit can only support 32 cores; 64-bit ones can, however, handle larger sizes (256 cores). On the other hand, Windows Server can support an infinite number of cores.
Memory Support
Both support different memory sizes. A Windows computer running Windows 10 Enterprise has a 4 GB memory limit on an x86 and a 2TB limit on an X64. These numbers multiply by manifolds when you switch to the Windows Server version. You can view them. This Microsoft document describes the memory limits for supported Windows and Windows Server releases.
Network Connections
If you desire an extensive number of network connections, then Windows for Desktop will fall short of your expectations. It is only limited to 20 connections. Its counterpart, i.e., Windows Server can offer as many network connections as you want, provided it has enough hardware capacity.
Microsoft Store or Edge browser support
This is one area where Windows for Desktop manages to outscore Windows Server. Features including Windows Subsystem, Progressive Web Apps, and Your Phone for Linux are available under Microsoft Store. Windows Server doesn’t support Microsoft Store. Similarly, if you are looking for Edge to run on Windows Server, you’ll feel disappointed. Unlike Windows 10, Windows Server uses IE (Internet Explorer), and that can’t be used for web browsing. Also, if you would like to try Google Chrome, then you need to relax exceptions for all Google URLs to finish the download.
Windows Updates
Another domain where Windows for Desktop gets the upper hand over Windows Server. Windows Updates come faster to Windows for Desktop than Windows Server. Also, it features a Timeline, not visible on Windows Server.
Price for deployment
Lastly, a very important factor that requires consideration – Price! Windows Server 2016 licenses are comparatively expensive. For instance, if you have a business, then, depending on your size and needs a single license can cost between $500 and $6200. For this reason, most purchasers opt for a Volume License route instead. Windows Server is made primarily for businesses, so it is priced accordingly. It is therefore advisable to choose a system that is best for you and your needs and selected keeping in mind the need to recover, repair, or migrate.
Recent iterations of Windows Server offer more flexibility as they can be deployed either on a cloud platform like Microsoft Azure or hardware in an organization’s data center. Besides, the addition of new capabilities like Server Manager and Active Directory makes Windows Server a good alternative. While the former is a utility to administer server roles and make configuration changes to local computers, later enables easy automation of the management of user data.
Higher-End Hardware
Windows Server maintains robust hardware. While Windows Server can have RAM up to 24 TB but Windows 10 Pro could only have a maximum of 2 TB RAM.
A normal computer user will not want to get 2 TB RAM but for a server more RAM means more capacity. So, with a good amount of RAM, a server can easily handle users, VMs, and computers.
When it comes to processors, Windows 10 comes with a limit, maximum being two, that too with Windows 10 Pro. On the other hand, Server 2016 could have up to 64 sockets.
Also, in cores, Windows 10 with 32-bit could only support 32 cores but 64-bit ones could handle 256 cores, however, Windows Server can have an infinite number of cores.
To get a bit closer to using such immense skills, you need to get Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, which comes with 6TB RAM and 4 CPUs.
Friendly Desktop Environment
Even though Windows 10 doesn’t server-specific feature, but it has something to add. Windows updates come faster to it and in now and then. It has Cortana, and Timeline which are not available on Windows Server.
It is easy to install software, set preferences, and then transfer the preferences is easy with Microsoft Account.
This is not it, Windows 10 comes with a lot of other features including Windows Subsystem, Progressive Web Apps, and Your Phone for Linux. These features mostly depend on Microsoft Store, which Windows Server doesn’t have.
Limited Options On Windows Server
If you are looking for Edge, Cortana, Microsoft Store on Windows Server, then you will not find them. Unlike Windows 10, Windows Server uses IE (Internet Explorer) and it can’t be used for web browsing. If you want Google Chrome on it, then you need to put exceptions for all Google URLs to finish the download. You can notice Windows Server’s additional security while visiting any websites on IE.
Also, you can’t sign in to Microsoft account on Windows Server, which means less accessibility (can’t get settings of another PC to it). You can only sign in with a domain account.
Windows Server allows you to disable updates completely using group policy however, Windows 10 will now get the feature to pause the updates.
- Network Connections
- Windows Server Is Costly
Network Connections
If you want an extensive number of network connections then the Windows desktop version will not do, as it is only limited to 20 connections. With Windows Server, you can get as many network connections as you want, provided it has sufficient hardware capacity.
Windows Server Is Costly
If you have Windows 8, 8.1, or 7 license keys, then you can get an upgrade to Windows 10 without paying. However, if you want Windows Server 2016, it could put a dent in your budget. It is usually used by businesses. A license could cost you from $500 to $6200, as per your requirement and size.
Conclusion
Therefore in this article, we talked about the Windows Server and how it differs from Windows Desktop and everything about that and we hope you enjoy it.
And in the following, we will educate you on how can you change the password of the Windows server.
