I have ran Windows 2003 Server Standard on my desktop PC as a Workstation and it fulfills this role quite well. There are a few tweaks and services that need to be started to make it function more like XP, but they are easily done! Now Service Pack 1 adds more security as well.
Here are some good 2003 Server sites to bookmark:
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Home
Toolkit to Temporarily Block Delivery of Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Learn About and Install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) FAQ for windows 2003 Service Pack 1 Technical Resources for Windows Server 2003 Server Performance Advisor V1.0 (Performance diagnostic tool for Windows Server 2003) Service Pack 1 is released to manufacturing! Download it here! Review of SP1 at PC Magazine How to convert your Windows Server 2003...to a Workstation! How to: Disable the Shutdown Event Tracker in Windows 2003 Server 2003 News: Windows Server 2003 R2 Will Ship In 4Q, Microsoft Says
Enough SP1 Out There to Reach 18 Percent of Windows 2003 Machines So Far, Smooth Sailing for Windows Server 2003 SP1 Microsoft beefs up security with Windows Server Service Pack 1 Controversial Report Finds Windows More Secure than Linux Security Configuration Wizard in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 Public November 2004 "Avalon" Community Technology Preview Including WinFX™ SDK (download) Changes to Default Settings Make Windows Server 2003 More Secure (Part 1)
Changes to Default Settings Make Windows Server 2003 More Secure (Part 2) Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 changes and additions What You Need to Know About Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
KB Articles: (this is by no means a complete list of KB articles for Server 2003!) 824721 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 list of updates (This article lists the problems that are fixed in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Service packs are cumulative. This means that the problems that are fixed in a service pack are also fixed in later service packs.) 899298 The "Understanding Data Execution Prevention" help topic incorrectly states the default setting for DEP in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1
899148 Some firewalls may reject network traffic that originates from Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1-based computers
894090 You may be prompted to restart the computer when you use Device Manager to disable a hard disk in Windows Server 2003 896456 Overview of the compatibility considerations for 32-bit programs on 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP
896367 Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 application compatibility 896692 The abbreviated file size is incorrect when you use Event Viewer to view the properties of an event log in Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003 3030431 Explanation of why server clusters do not verify that resources will work properly on all nodes 884675 "Copy Error: Setup cannot copy the file Atapi.sys" error message when you try to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 890402 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 increases the amount of information that is logged by the Windows Error Reporting service after a print spooler crash 891717 You receive an error when you run the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 324268 How To Troubleshoot Shutdown Problems in Windows Server 2003
Other Sources: What is Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and what should I know about its deployment? (for DELL PCs)
The Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 Working with the Windows Server 2003 Volume Shadow Copy Service Improve data reliability with Windows Server 2003's Volume Shadow Copy Service Profile and Folder Redirection In Windows Server 2003 Windows 2003 Server Books: A Pair of Winners Toronto Windows Server User Group This page last updated: July 22, 2005 |