Free Windows Server: An Ultimate Guide for Dev

Greetings Dev! If you are looking for a reliable and efficient server operating system, then you have landed on the right page. In this article, we will discuss the free Windows Server in detail. But before we dive into the details, let us first understand what Windows Server is all about.

What is Windows Server?

Windows Server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft. It is designed to be a powerful and reliable platform for running mission-critical applications and services. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it an ideal choice for organizations of all sizes.

Windows Server is available in different editions, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some of the popular editions include Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what Windows Server is, let us explore the free Windows Server in detail.

What is Free Windows Server?

Free Windows Server is a version of Windows Server that is available for free. It is called Windows Server Evaluation Edition and is available for a trial period of 180 days. It offers all the features and capabilities of the full version of Windows Server.

The free Windows Server is ideal for organizations that do not have a budget for purchasing a server operating system. It allows them to test and evaluate the features and capabilities of Windows Server before making a purchase.

Benefits of Free Windows Server

Here are some of the benefits of using free Windows Server:

How to Get Free Windows Server?

Getting free Windows Server is easy. You can follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Microsoft Evaluation Center website.
2. Select the edition of Windows Server you want to download.
3. Fill in the required information and click on the Download button.
4. Once you have downloaded the installation files, you can follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Server on your server.

Features and Capabilities of Free Windows Server

The free Windows Server offers all the features and capabilities of the full version of Windows Server. Here are some of the key features:

1. Server Manager

Server Manager is a powerful tool that allows you to manage your servers and server roles from a single console. It makes it easy to configure and manage your servers and services.

2. Active Directory

Active Directory is a directory service that stores information about objects on a network. It allows you to manage users, computers, and other objects on your network.

3. Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a virtualization platform that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on your server. It makes it easy to run multiple operating systems on a single server.

4. Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services allows you to provide remote access to your applications and desktops. It makes it easy for your users to access their applications and data from anywhere.

5. Web Server (IIS)

Web Server (IIS) is a web server that allows you to host websites and applications on your server. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it an ideal choice for hosting web applications.

6. Storage Spaces

Storage Spaces allows you to create virtualized storage pools on your server. It makes it easy to manage your storage and provides redundancy and fault tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Free Windows Server a suitable choice for production use?

No, free Windows Server is not recommended for production use. It is an evaluation edition and is meant for testing and evaluation purposes only. For production use, you should purchase a full version of Windows Server.

2. Can I upgrade from free Windows Server to a full version of Windows Server?

Yes, you can upgrade from free Windows Server to a full version of Windows Server. You can purchase a product key and enter it into your installation to upgrade to the full version.

3. How long does the trial period for free Windows Server last?

The trial period for free Windows Server lasts for 180 days. After this period, you will need to purchase a product key to continue using Windows Server.

4. Can I use free Windows Server for personal use?

Yes, you can use free Windows Server for personal use. However, it is recommended to use Windows 10 or other Windows operating systems for personal use.

5. What is the difference between free Windows Server and full version of Windows Server?

Free Windows Server is an evaluation edition and is meant for testing and evaluation purposes only. It has a trial period of 180 days and does not include technical support. The full version of Windows Server includes technical support and is recommended for production use.

We hope this article has helped you understand the free Windows Server in detail. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section below. Happy learning!