/image%2F6720147%2F20220625%2Fob_a52d62_downloader-la-627facf130a3f.jpg)
microsoft windows server
How Is Windows Server Different From Windows?
/image%2F6720147%2F20220625%2Fob_1d6d6e_photo-1489875347897-49f64b51c1f8-ixlib.1%26ixid%3DMnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8%26auto%3Dformat%26fit%3Dcrop%26w%3D1170%26q%3D80)
laptop programming
What exactly is Windows Server and how does it work? Here are some ways that Windows Server and the OS's consumer editions differ.
Regular computer users might only be familiar with Windows' consumer-oriented editions. But did you know that Microsoft also makes a full line of operating systems for servers?
Let's examine how Windows Server and standard Windows differ from one another. We'll examine what Windows Server has, what it omits, and why it differs so much.
Windows Server: What Is It?
We'll start by defining Windows Server, in case you've never heard of it. In essence, Windows Server is a series of operating systems made especially by Microsoft for usage on servers. Designed to run continuously and supply resources for other computers, servers are incredibly powerful machines. This indicates that Windows Server is nearly exclusively utilized in corporate environments.
Since the release of Windows Server 2003 in April 2003, Microsoft has distributed Windows Server under this moniker. However, server versions of Windows were accessible long before this. For instance, Windows NT 4.0 was offered as a server and a workstation (for general usage).
Ordinary users rarely need to be concerned about Windows Server. You won't come across it on a store shelf or download it by mistake from Microsoft when you intended to buy the ordinary version of Windows. However, learning about it is still worthwhile so that you are informed.
Windows Server comes with a ton of enterprise software because it is designed for commercial use. The roles that a server can play as a result of these tools are listed below:
A server can function as a domain controller thanks to Active Directory, a user management service. The domain controller manages all user account authentication in place of each user logging into a local machine. For more information on this, see our description of Windows domains.
A server can use the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to automatically assign IP addresses to any device connected to a network. Your router presumably handles this where you live. However, IT personnel at a company can benefit from Windows Server's expanded DHCP functionality.
File and Storage: Another typical usage is having a file server for your business. So, you can set up permissions to control who can access which files and keep important information in one place.
Print Services: It is a waste of time for IT professionals to set up each new workstation's printer individually if a company has hundreds of printers scattered across the premises. You may quickly link printers to computers by setting up a print server, which will cut down on duplicative effort.
Windows Update Services: Businesses frequently don't need all Windows updates to be applied immediately. You can route all workstation updates through a server that has been configured to act as a Windows Update controller and set up specific rules for how they should operate.
Even though Windows Server and regular Windows share code and look similar, they are used for completely different things.
Windows 10's consumer editions are built for optimal usability and don't include any software geared toward business use. Windows Server, on the other hand, is unconcerned with aesthetics. Its goal is to execute a variety of services enterprise users require reliably. But you can buy Windows Server all versions at an affordable price from Microsoft authorized dealer Brytesoft in the United Kingdom.
