Can i use win 7 as a server

So, making the move to Windows 10 can be a lever to taking a fresh look at IT more generally, which was also true of BCS' own migration. Even without taking that broader approach, there are software compatibility reasons to see the move as a good thing rather than a chore. Much of the draw of Windows 10 is the greater range of features it provides, and newer software and hardware are frequently designed with Windows 10 in mind, with no guarantee of the same experience on Windows 7.

It's time to move up or change course. Starting the move away from Windows 7 with plenty of time in hand meant it was possible to think carefully about the whole IT setup, and maybe do a much needed general spring clean both on the hardware and software sides. But with the deadline now gone, it's imperative for businesses that haven't moved from Windows 7 to make a fundamental shift.

Edwards' advice is to "understand why you're upgrading and don't do it blindly". Look at these alternatives seriously, including Windows 10 in S mode, and remember that the tools we use shape the way we do things. PC hardware can run a variety of operating systems. Maybe take a look at Google-backed CloudReady from Neverware as an example.

Wherever an organisation goes after Windows 7, upgrading should be done in a measured and controlled way, not rushed at the last moment. Explore why the most efficient way forward is data-driven. Critical vulnerabilities in Philips EMR system could risk patient data. Why the financial industry is turning to the cloud.

Remove From My Forums. Answered by:. Archived Forums. Server Manager. Sign in to vote. Hi, I want to have a new server machine that host about 30 clients. Tuesday, August 9, AM. Hi, Windows 7 and Windows Server R2 are two different operating systems. In fact, Windows 7 utilized much of the underlying code and technology from Windows Vista.

The most obvious improvements came in the form of faster boot times, a new user interface, and the addition of Internet Explorer 8. Windows 7 was available in a several different configurations to meet a variety of market demands. For their personal machines, individual users could choose between Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.

Microsoft also released Windows 7 Enterprise Edition for businesses. In contrast to its much-derided Vista predecessor, Windows 7 proved itself very popular right out of the gate. At the time, this made Windows 7 the fastest selling operating system in history. While many people certainly loved Windows 7 and many still do , its days were numbered from the outset.

Although it was a clear improvement over Windows Vista, 7 still had its faults. Following feedback, Microsoft made several changes and released a new version called Windows 8, and Windows 10 would be released a few years after that. In an effort to drive adoption, Microsoft even offered Windows 10 as a free upgrade to many Windows 7 users.

This effort proved successful, and by early Windows 10 had taken its place as the dominant desktop operating system. Official sales ended in October , but that doesn't necessarily mean businesses have upgraded to newer products.

This is important to note, because in just one year Microsoft will cease to provide extended support for the aging operating system.

Software support is the means by which software companies create updates for their products to enhance their performance and keep them secure from digital attackers. Oftentimes, major software companies offer to support their products several years after the original release.

In , when Microsoft Extended Support officially ends for Windows 7, companies will be forced to start upgrading to Windows That said, upgrading all of a businesses computers to a new operating system can be a massive undertaking, requiring substantial commitment of time and resources.

The challenge of doing so means many businesses will be slow to upgrade to Windows In fact, studies have shown that by the end of , a full third of all business PC will still run the old operating system. The fact that such a high proportion of the world's businesses may end up running an inherently vulnerable operating system represents a grave cybersecurity threat.

If you work with a small or midsize business that runs primarily Windows 7-based PCs, then you should consider upgrading to a newer OS sooner rather than later. The cost and pain of switching worsens with the passage of time, especially if your company is in growth-mode. This makes logical sense, if you think about the effort required to upgrade ten PCs versus That said, if upgrading now is out of the question for one reason or another, we recommend taking advantage of Microsoft's Extended Security Update ESU offer.

This is Microsoft's way of offering security updates to those who cannot or will not upgrade in the immediate future. Businesses can pay a fee, based the number of workstations in question, to have Microsoft support Windows 7 machines for up to 3 additional years.

We should stress that while ESU plans are expensive, it is better to pay the fee and ensure your OS is still updated against the latest cyber threats. Released in late-February of the same year, Windows Server included several notable improvements over its predecessor, Windows Server Compared to older platforms , the system was much more efficient, offered better security tools for administrators, and featured an improved user interface.

Here is how ITProToday. Like its Windows Vista stable mate, Windows Server was in development an achingly long time, and some of its many features were originally slated for its predecessors, Windows Server and Windows Server R2. Unlike Vista, however, this lengthy schedule hasn't proven problematic.

In fact, it's arguably worked to the product's advantage: This is a refined, mature, and stable operating system that will no doubt power server systems of all kinds for years to come. Though Windows Server utilizes an evolved version of the Active Directory AD infrastructure that first debuted in Windows , many of the features of this new OS are radical and revolutionary.

Key among these major advances are Server Core, which provides a lightweight version of the server aimed at specific workloads, and Hyper-V, Microsoft's hypervisor-based virtualization technology.

This latter technology is currently available only in beta form; see below for details. As befits a major Windows Server upgrade, however, Windows Server also includes a slew of smaller functional advances as well as key gains in scalability, reliability, manageability, performance, and security.

As ITProToday. More than a decade after its initial release, Server remains widely in use. The fact that so many businesses remain on the platform this close to its January end-of-life EOL date is genuine cause for concern.

Once the updates stop, any weaknesses found in the final version of the software will remain unpatched. Everyday, new software vulnerabilities are uncovered and new malware is created by cybercriminals.

Without regular OS updates and patches, you will be at the mercy of the cybercriminals. Moving to a new device ensures that you have the latest features with enhanced security and performance. Also, computers that are running Windows 7 are probably several years old and are due for replacement. With the new hardware you will also get the new version of the Windows operating system- Windows Migrating Windows 7 computers to Windows 10 is a cost-effective option.