Windows 10 server any good for normal usage?

[MyTechAddiction]

I'm thinking about switching to a newer version of windows from 7. I had Windows 10 in the past but some update broke it in a way that I couldn't fix and went back to 7.
Now I would like to know if going to windows 10 server has any hidden surprises for desktop users.In a VM test all I found were nice things like directX 12, no app store, and a lot of useful tweaks preapplied.

 

[Bill_Bright]

You should not assume your last experience with W10 is normal. There are over 900 million W10 users chugging along just fine.

Not exactly sure what you mean by "Windows 10 server" as there is no such program. W10 can act like a server, but then that would not be for normal usage.

 

[MyTechAddiction]

You should not assume your last experience with W10 is normal. There are over 900 million W10 users chugging along just fine.

Not exactly sure what you mean by "Windows 10 server" as there is no such program. W10 can act like a server, but then that would not be for normal usage.

i mean Windows Server 2019

 

[thesmokingman]

Why would you want to use a server os? You'll spend all your time trying to re-configure it to do normal things, waste of time.

 

[Solaris17]

i mean Windows Server 2019

Right, not to be confused with Windows 10. @thesmokingman is right. It is going to require a lot of reconfig. It is not meant to do it out of the box. I have it on a workstation at work. I tested 2019 just to see if it was feasible, its really not worth the hassle, not to mention there is no guarantee of functionality in the future with anything. More so than any consumer OS.

Not to mention you will miss things, like photo viewer, etc. You have no access to appstore apps. GPU acceleration and audio must be enabled manually.

 

[MyTechAddiction]

Right, not to be confused with Windows 10. @thesmokingman is right. It is going to require a lot of reconfig. It is not meant to do it out of the box. I have it on a workstation at work. I tested 2019 just to see if it was feasible, its really not worth the hassle, not to mention there is no guarantee of functionality in the future with anything. More so than any consumer OS.

Not to mention you will miss things, like photo viewer, etc. You have no access to appstore apps. GPU acceleration and audio must be enabled manually.

Not having the slow "modern" apps is a feature not a problem just like forced app install of whatever promotional app paid the most to be forced down our throats. And yes I'll enable some stuff manually not really a problem.

 

[jsfitz54]

@MyTechAddiction : Are you trying to compare W10 Pro vs W10 Enterprise? Google is your friend.

Compare Windows 10 Pro vs Windows 11 Pro | Microsoft

Discover the differences between Windows 10 Pro and Windows 11 Pro. Compare features, security, productivity tools and more to help you decide which operating system is best for your business needs.

www.microsoft.com

Windows 10 Pro vs. Enterprise — Trusted Tech Team

Getting Windows 10 for your computer? Learn more about the differences between Windows 10 Pro vs. Enterprise and Home editions in our online guide.

www.trustedtechteam.com

 

[natr0n]

I use 8.1 embedded, better than 7 , less hassle then 10.

ltsb/c "can" be fun too.

 

[silentbogo]

i mean Windows Server 2019

For daily work it should do just fine. Did a setup this summer for local dentist office (~6-7 employees). For some reason they re-e-e-ally wanted to have a server w/ virtual desktops for every employee (especially accounting and secretarial stuff). What made matters worse, is that the idea was pitched by my stupid friend, the hardware and Windows Server license was already purchased, and I got involved only at the point where these idiots didn't have a clue how to configure everything. It was a total nightmare, but at the end it worked.
Server is in director's office and he uses it for typical web/word/excel, and the rest (DB/VDI/Webserver etc.) is running in background.

If you just want a decrappified Windows 10, then you should look at stripping a regular consumer distro via 3rd party tools (or by hand), or switching to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB (aka Windows 10 IoT).
I am running LTSB at work, and it gets the job done just fine. The only downside(or upside, depending on your perspective), is that you'll be a few versions behind consumer distros.

Simply buying Server 2019 to not have an MS store and crapware is kinda stupid and expensive.

 

[Cheeseball]

I do not recommend using Windows Server 2019 for everyday/workstation usage. It's best to go with Windows 10 LTSC or Enterprise for that purpose.

Use Windows Server 2019 if you work with Azure/PowerShell, on-prem SQL, on-prem VMs, Federating services, etc.

 

[Assimilator]

Why would you install a server OS for a desktop user... that is just plain dumb.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Right, not to be confused with Windows 10. @thesmokingman is right. It is going to require a lot of reconfig. It is not meant to do it out of the box. I have it on a workstation at work. I tested 2019 just to see if it was feasible, its really not worth the hassle, not to mention there is no guarantee of functionality in the future with anything. More so than any consumer OS.

This is correct.

You have no access to appstore apps.

Some people would prefer to avoid the app store.

I'm thinking about switching to a newer version of windows from 7. I had Windows 10 in the past but some update broke it in a way that I couldn't fix and went back to 7.
Now I would like to know if going to windows 10 server has any hidden surprises for desktop users.In a VM test all I found were nice things like directX 12, no app store, and a lot of useful tweaks preapplied.

The version of 10 that would be of benefit to you if you wish to run "lean & clean" would be Enterprise LTSC. Fully functional but without the app store, Cortana and many other things which some find irritating or unacceptable.
The ISO can be downloaded from Microsoft here(you'll need to jump through their hoops);

Windows 10 Enterprise | Microsoft Evaluation Center

Windows 10 Enterprise is designed to address the needs of large and midsize organizations by providing IT professionals with advanced protection, flexible deployments, and comprehensive device and app management.

www.microsoft.com

If you don't have work contact info to give them, you'll need to Google for a different download source.

A CDKey can be purchased at the following site included in a TPU promotion;

GoodOffer24 Warms Things Up with Pre-Spring Sale on Genuine Software

GoodOffer24 brings you a safe and economical path to give your new PC builds genuine software and upgrade your PCs stuck on older, discontinued versions of Windows. With deep discounts on genuine, globally-valid licenses to Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC, PC enthusiasts and...

www.techpowerup.com

The direct link is;

Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC kaufen - PC Key Microsoft Download | GameLaden

Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC kaufen - PC Key günstig, schnell und sicher per Email zum Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC Download bei Microsoft.

www.goodoffer24.com

Make sure you use the discount code of TP30 at check out.

You need to install and put in your key. Windows should automatically activate once you connect to the internet.

 

[MyTechAddiction]

Thank you @lexluthermiester , that is exactly what i wanted, a lean and clean version

 

[lexluthermiester]

Thank you @lexluthermiester , that is exactly what i wanted, a lean and clean version

Refresh the page to see edits.

 

[erixx]

https://mspoweruser.com/german-data...-can-full-deactivate-all-microsoft-telemetry/

Maybe this adds to the chat

 

[Frick]

Note how there's no entirely legal way for you to run Enterprise though. Even if you get a key you have no license to use it.

 

[insane 360]

run regular win10 but with this debloat script.

GitHub - Sycnex/Windows10Debloater: Script to remove Windows 10 bloatware.

Script to remove Windows 10 bloatware. Contribute to Sycnex/Windows10Debloater development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

it made a big different on my intel compute stick, nearly unusable before debloat, now responsive enough for simple web browsing and steam streaming duties...

 

[lexluthermiester]

run regular win10 but with this debloat script.

GitHub - Sycnex/Windows10Debloater: Script to remove Windows 10 bloatware.

Script to remove Windows 10 bloatware. Contribute to Sycnex/Windows10Debloater development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

it made a big different on my intel compute stick, nearly unusable before debloat, now responsive enough for simple web browsing and steam streaming duties...

Unfortunately, that utility does not remove Cortana and Edge, two things that are absent from LTSC. Additionally, when services and tasks are disabled in LTSC they stay disabled even after an update. Such is not true with Windows 10 Pro, even after being tweaked.

 

[Vario]

Another vote to try LTSC.

 

[R-T-B]

Note how there's no entirely legal way for you to run Enterprise though. Even if you get a key you have no license to use it.

Unless you actually own a business, that'd be correct. Note also that Microsoft does not seem to care, though.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Note also that Microsoft does not seem to care, though.

Let us be clear, Microsoft doesn't care about personal usage scenarios of Enterprise. They consider it an alternate use of the Professional version of Windows. However, using Enterprise in a commercial environment without a proper purchase contract is something they will have a problem with.

 

[R-T-B]

Let us be clear, Microsoft doesn't care about personal usage scenarios of Enterprise. They consider it an alternate use of the Professional version of Windows. However, using Enterprise in a commercial environment is something they will have a problem with.

Considering enterprise is designed for commercial-style environments, I think you need to word that differently.

 

[MrGRiMv25]

You could use WIndows 10 Education, it's pretty much the same as Enterprise and allows telemetry to be reigned in, services to be disabled without restarting and updates to be postponed indefinitely. I've been using it since b1903 I think, and it's been rock solid.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Considering enterprise is designed for commercial-style environments, I think you need to word that differently.

Right. Enterprise is specifically designed for use commercial/business environments so, Microsoft will not have problem with it being used in those scenarios.

You could use WIndows 10 Education, it's pretty much the same as Enterprise

Ummm, kinda, sorta, but not really.

Setting aside the fact all Windows 10 versions are "pretty much the same", there are several differences between the Education and Enterprise versions. But an importance similarity is both must be purchased through a volume license package only. So for the purpose of this thread, neither the Education nor the Enterprise version are viable options.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Considering enterprise is designed for commercial-style environments, I think you need to word that differently.

You're right. Done.

Setting aside the fact all Windows 10 versions are "pretty much the same",

If you really think that, you SOO not paying attention. Have you taken the time to try LTSB/LTSC out? Not the same as Home or Pro, not by a long shot..

So for the purpose of this thread, neither the Education nor the Enterprise version are viable options.

Again, I think you're missing the point here.