Windows Server 2012 R2 to use as a home system

[ArisVer]

I am currently using Windows 7 Home Premium and I am very happy with it. I came to a hardware problem since it can only see one CPU and I want to try a 2 CPU setup for a while.

My options is to get the Pro or Ultimate editions for Win7, the Pro for Win8, or Linux. I found the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials (64-bit) cheap so this is another option.

My very basic question is whether I will be able to run the server OS as a normal home OS. Am I going to be restricted in any way using that?

 

[Mushkins]

Can you? Yes. Is it a good idea? Not really.

Simply put, Windows Server does not work the same way as the desktop version. A lot of it looks similar in the UI, but under the hood it's different enough to not be a reasonable desktop PC OS. Needs different drivers for every device, has tons of menus and features and services you will never use on a desktop, etc. It's gotten better in the compatibility regard over the years (especially with 2012/R2), but I would expect plenty of quirks and compatibility issues trying to run it as a desktop OS.

 

[Fardringle]

Use Windows 7 Professional. It supports multiple physical CPUs, and you won't have to deal with all of the extra hassles of trying to use a server operating system on a desktop computer.

 

[ArisVer]

Thanks for your answers.
I have already purchased the software as it was a limited time offer and a good deal. I might try it if it works without hassles on a VM. Otherwise try a Pro or Linux.

 

[brandonb]

I use Windows Server 2008 R2, and there are a few things you need to install/tweak, but it's pretty much setup the same as Windows 7 for me at this point. Except I have Active Directory installed on it which allows me to do programming w/domains which I didn't have with Win 7 vanilla. To me, it is full fledged windows. The home versions are just watered down.

 

[Ketchup]

Server 2008 and up are great for a server because they effectively came bare-bones. They knew how to only turn on the services necessary for the roles they are performing. So, using it as a regular OS might turn into a pain as you have to enable role after role to get it useful in a normal desktop environment. You can also run into software issues, as some software has "client" versions and "server" versions, so that only the latter would run, at a substantial price premium.

 

[Gunbuster]

http://www.win2012workstation.com/

 

[ArisVer]

That's a great link. Thanks many.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm horrified. Really.

You do not want to use a server OS as a workstation OS. Really. Please -- don't do it. Don't do it. You'll be wasting an OS with server features and functions, and you'll be crippling your system as a workstation or desktop.

 

[Gunbuster]

I'm horrified. Really.

You do not want to use a server OS as a workstation OS. Really. Please -- don't do it. Don't do it. You'll be wasting an OS with server features and functions, and you'll be crippling your system as a workstation or desktop.

Of course, because the OS has feelings... Some people have free licenses for server OS's. After converting the system is hardly "crippled" as you say.

 

[gophertron]

I'm horrified. Really.

You do not want to use a server OS as a workstation OS. Really. Please -- don't do it. Don't do it. You'll be wasting an OS with server features and functions, and you'll be crippling your system as a workstation or desktop.

Or you know...try it out and have fun?

I haven't dabbled in using a server OS as desktop since Windows 2000, but that made sense at the time since it came out before Windows XP. Sounds like it'd be fun to try out, and there's plenty to learn in there as well. I can't vouch for the ease of use for anything like gaming though.