Using Win Sever 2008r2 as desktop OS

[LosOjos]

Has anybody done it?

 

I've found [and tested] various methods to make it act more like a desktop (Aero theme, disable shut down tracking, graphical login etc.) and I'm planning on using it as my main OS but wondered if anybody has done it and is aware of any good reasons not to do it?

 

My reason is a matter of thrift: I can get a free copy as I'm a student!

[synaesthesia]

I'm not sure on the legality but can only assume it's good as it's little/no difference with an n-lited windows.

There is a "workstation" or "desktop" version of it available - basically someone has taken the time to make it into a desktop OS by ripping out the servery stuff and re-adding desktoppy stuff. Unfortunately the download sources will more than likely be less than legal however with a legal key then I don't see this as being a problem.

[SYNACK]

Can be a pain with some software and drivers as it shows up as an unsupported version of Windows or a version they won't support as they have a more expencive server version they want you to buy. Other than iffy installers it can make quite a nice workstation though as it is a little better tuned than the desktop variety for people who usually hammer machines with lots of processes, services etc.

[LosOjos]

I'm not sure on the legality but can only assume it's good as it's little/no difference with an n-lited windows.

There is a "workstation" or "desktop" version of it available - basically someone has taken the time to make it into a desktop OS by ripping out the servery stuff and re-adding desktoppy stuff. Unfortunately the download sources will more than likely be less than legal however with a legal key then I don't see this as being a problem.

 

I don't need a download, thanks anyway though

 

I have seen tools to automate the process of converting it to "desktop mode", however I'd sooner do it manually so I know exactly what's being turned on or off

[LosOjos]

Can be a pain with some software and drivers as it shows up as an unsupported version of Windows or a version they won't support as they have a more expencive server version they want you to buy. Other than iffy installers it can make quite a nice workstation though as it is a little better tuned than the desktop variety for people who usually hammer machines with lots of processes, services etc.

 

Does running in compatibility mode usually get around that?

 

I've read that 2008r2 is compatible with Win7 drivers...

[SYNACK]

Does running in compatibility mode usually get around that?

 

I've read that 2008r2 is compatible with Win7 drivers...

 

No, not generally as plenty of apps use non standard ways of checking.

 

Driverwise largely yes, there are some (very, very few) that do not but those are generally for aweful hardware (only ever had one for an eSATA PCI-e card fail like this.

[Chuckster]

I'm using 2008 R2 as my main desktop OS at work. Like yourself, I've made it less server-y looking and more like a desktop. No problems on the drivers front or software.

[sted]

Same as above i shoved a technet 08r2 lic on my hp microserver (glorified nasbox) and 8ts pretty much same as win7 got aero got gadgets picture logins (media player pretty pointless with no audio board though) all i cant get working is dnla

[Trapper]

Way back when in the day I used Server 2003 (R1!) when it first came out as a desktop alternative to XP.

 

Worked fine. I've played with the idea of using 2008 as I tend to use a lot of VMs on my desktop, so having HyperV would be ace.

 

Then again I also have a decent GPU for half terms ...

[box_l]

I am using using it very happily on my Dell E6510.

It does have 8Gb Ram and a Quad core i7 tho'.

Very handy having hyper-v for testing and demonstration purposes. Even with this it seems to boot faster that win 7.

 

BoX