Windows Server Reviews

Name: Windows Server
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.0 (182 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

182 reviews
94% willing to recommend

1,356 followers

What is Windows Server?

Windows Server is a versatile solution for various tasks, including domain control, virtualization, hosting applications, databases, managing user accounts in Active Directory, file sharing, and remote server access. It is also used for endpoint security, running ERP systems, and supporting business applications such as SAP and Microsoft Dynamics.

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Windows Server is the #4 ranked solution in top Operating Systems for Business. PeerSpot users give Windows Server an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Windows Server is most commonly compared to Ubuntu Linux: Windows Server vs Ubuntu Linux. Windows Server is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 12% of all views.

Helped 815,690 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Dan Campeanu

Security Engineer at ProVision

Windows Server was crucial for our business as it offered scalability, allowing us to seamlessly upgrade servers as our company expanded rapidly. It served as the backbone for all our tools and applications, providing a unified platform for our operations. Windows Server's security features have significantly improved our IT security posture. While occasional vulnerabilities arose, Microsoft promptly addressed them, providing clear instructions on mitigation. Consequently, we have had no security incidents in over 20 years, thanks to proactive measures and effective security management. Managing Windows Server in a multi-server environment used to be relatively easy, but in recent years, it has become increasingly challenging due to the removal of useful tools and Microsoft's focus on cloud services. Integrating Windows Server with Azure was initially challenging due to limited documentation and some synchronization issues, but it became smoother over time with the help of user experiences and shared knowledge. Integration with AWS for specific tasks was less problematic. I would recommend Windows Server to others. Overall, I would rate it as a nine out of ten.

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Virimai Mare

L3 Engineer at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited

My main advice is to understand the business first. Then, see if the solution will work on that platform. Also, check which applications it supports. If they're using data and Microsoft, in some cases, we use applications verified by Microsoft. You can be sure they're compatible with Windows and find support from both ends. So, understand the business in terms of its goals, turnaround time, risk factors, and skill requirements. Consider if they have enough skilled people to support it, both for daily use and when issues arise. You need to know these things before making a decision. Not every time is Microsoft the right choice. Some systems or platforms they want to run may not be supported by Microsoft. So, it's crucial to understand the business requirements first; then you know which platform or solution works best for you. Overall, I would rate the solution a seven out of ten.

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Deepak Nagar

Manager, Strategic Alliances at Softcell Technologies Limited

Users can increase the hardware or virtual environment and memory, and it is scalable enough to meet the company's requirements. Everybody in the organization uses the product. The HR department uses the solution for storage purposes and the website hosting from where the internal applications are made available for use within the company. The developers in our company also developed certain applications that can be hosted on Windows Server. In general, the solution has around 500 users in my company. My company can increase the number of users of the product in the future, especially if we achieve the capability that can allow us to scale up.

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Windows Server mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Windows Server in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category stands at 9.4%, down from 9.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Users appreciate Windows Server's robust security, seamless integration with other Microsoft products, excellent virtualization capabilities, and extensive administrative tools. Many highlight its scalability, reliability, and the Active Directory feature for effective user and resource management. Its ability to provide consistent performance and support a wide range of applications receives commendation. Automated backup and restore functions are also frequently mentioned as valuable features.

"The product's initial setup phase is pretty straightforward and simple without any challenges."
"We use Active Directory and IIS to host different kinds of web apps. We have also used the FTP feature for our FTP server."
"The tool supports many applications."

Room for Improvement

Users suggest improvements for Windows Server in areas such as simplifying the setup process, enhancing reliability, and reducing the number of updates required. They indicate that support could be more responsive and that documentation needs more clarity. Performance optimizations appear necessary, particularly for handling larger workloads. Security features are deemed adequate but demand further strengthening to counter emerging threats effectively. Compatibility with older applications and hardware might require enhancement.

"If Windows could make the OS part lighter, especially starting and restarting the Windows Server, which needs to be quick, then it would be great since this is an area where the tool lacks a bit."
"Active Directory should have groups and policies. It could probably provide a better overview of how Active Directory is built."
"The administration interface should be more user-friendly."

ROI

Windows Server significantly reduced costs and improved efficiency in IT management, including better resource allocation and minimized downtime. It increased productivity through enhanced security features and seamless integration with existing systems. Furthermore, users experienced better scalability and flexibility, leading to more robust infrastructure and greater long-term savings.

Pricing

Windows Server pricing relies on a combination of core-based licensing and client access licenses. Users mention costs vary depending on the business size and specific requirements. Additional charges may apply for advanced features and extended support. Enterprise buyers generally find flexible pricing options that accommodate various operational needs, and appreciate the capabilities provided relative to the cost incurred. Large organizations often benefit from volume licensing discounts.

"For the on-prem version, you need to go for a perpetual license. If I am planning to run ten operating systems, I will buy a pack of ten licenses, which will be cost-effective for me."
"The product was quite expensive."
"It is an expensive solution."

Popular Use Cases

A primary use of Windows Server revolves around managing and supporting virtual machines, hosting databases, and running web services. Users appreciate its reliability in handling large workloads and seamless integration with other Microsoft tools. It is often used for active directory management, file sharing, and providing a stable environment for various business applications. Security features and scalability are also highlighted as key benefits.

Service and Support

Customers find Windows Server customer service and support responsive and knowledgeable. Many appreciate fast resolutions and effective communication. Technical assistance proves reliable, often resolving issues promptly. Some note improvement areas in follow-up interactions. Many acknowledge proficient handling of queries, ensuring minimal disruption. In those cases, satisfaction with professionalism and expertise is high. A few users mention needing more comprehensive guidance, but generally, support transparency and user focus receive positive remarks.

Deployment

Users described Windows Server's initial setup as straightforward and easy. It features a fast deployment, often taking between 10 minutes to an hour. Physical installations may require more time, but virtual deployments are faster. Setup complexity varied depending on configurations and applications. Small teams could handle deployment and maintenance efficiently. Most users noted the GUI interface and documentation as helpful, and found it simpler compared to other operating systems.

Scalability

Windows Server is highly scalable, allowing companies to easily expand usage. Organizations, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises, report successful scalability for thousands of users. Management and scalability can depend on the specific deployment and hardware used. Some note that scaling can become complex, but Windows Server typically supports growth well, ensuring continued usage. While some companies might switch to other platforms, most plan to continue and increase their usage.

Stability

Users find Windows Server stability to be highly reliable. It consistently handles multiple tasks without crashing. They appreciate its robustness under heavy workloads, noting minimal downtime. Windows Server offers steady performance even during updates and patches. Users also remark on its efficient management of resources, ensuring dependable operations. Stability of Windows Server is particularly praised for critical applications and enterprise-level demands. It stands out for its resilience and predictable uptime.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

10%

Educational Organization

10%

Financial Services Firm

University

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Pharma/Biotech Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Compare Windows Server with alternative products

Learn more about Windows Server

The solution is user-friendly and easy to configure and install, with technical support available. Windows Server is widely used and trusted. It has helped organizations by offering a domain controller and domain service, allowing them to sell products with Microsoft and keep processes running 24/7 without downtime.

Reviews from Real Users

There are a number of characteristics that make Windows Server an extremely effective solution. Two major ones are its inherent flexibility and its user-friendly nature.

PeerSpot user Antonio D., a sales manager at INFOSEC, takes note of Windows Server 2016’s flexibility when he writes, “The product is a good operating system. The features fit our needs very well. For example, with Windows Server, you can use a machine for printing, accessing the internet, or using some applications. You can do it all with one server. You don't need several servers. One is enough.”

Himanshu T., a system administrator and DevOps engineer at a tech-services company, takes note of the various way in which Windows Server 2016 is easy to use when he writes, “This solution is very user friendly, easy to use for any system administrator, simple to deploy applications, has a wide range of applications available, great UI, and takes less technical skills to operate than some other competitors. Additionally, the active directory has great functionality; if we want to integrate any assets, then we can easily do it.”