The product is primarily used for applications, data storage, and communications. We also use it for the directory.
Senior Digital Services Engineer at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
User-friendly with good scalability and offers multiple deployment methods
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very user-friendly."
- "The solution needs more integration capabilities."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The solution is very user-friendly.
The scalability is very good.
You can deploy the solution either on the cloud or on-premises.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs more integration capabilities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for 15 years at this point. It's been well over a decade. I've used it for a long time.
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Windows Server
September 2025

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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the solution is good. It's not a problem to expand it.
Likely the entire company is using the solution, however, I cannot speak to exact numbers that are on the solution right now.
How are customer service and support?
I've never been in touch with technical support in the past. I cannot speak to how helpful or responsive they are.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not previously use a different operating system.
How was the initial setup?
I wasn't a part of the installation process. I can't speak to how straightforward or complex it was.
We have 12 to 15 team members that can handle deployment and maintenance tasks. There are a manager, an admin, and engineers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't handle the licensing costs. I don't have any visibility as to how much the company pays for licenses.
What other advice do I have?
We use multiple deployment models, including on-premises and cloud.
I'm not sure which version of the solution we're using.
I'd recommend using the solution to other companies.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

Quadria Rouen Agency Director at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Integrates well, stable, but could be more secure
Pros and Cons
- "The installation of the solution is becoming easier every year after new releases. The first installation can take an hour but you can use templates to make the installation very quick."
- "The solution could improve by making it more secure."
What is most valuable?
The solution integrates well with other platforms.
What needs improvement?
The solution could improve by making it more secure.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for approximately 30 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability has been good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 100,000 customers.
How was the initial setup?
The installation of the solution is becoming easier every year after new releases. The first installation can take an hour but you can use templates to make the installation very quick.
What about the implementation team?
We have six to eight engineers that do the implementation and maintenance of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We are with Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider Program and we pay for a monthly license for this use of this solution and we support our customer subscriptions. The overall price of the solution is good.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Windows Server a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Distributor
Buyer's Guide
Windows Server
September 2025

Learn what your peers think about Windows Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
868,787 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior System Administrator at Debre Markos University
Great tech support and good performance
Pros and Cons
- "The performance is very good."
- "The security could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use the 2016 version.
We use the solution for our applications.
What is most valuable?
The performance is very good.
What needs improvement?
The security could be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Windows Server for three-and-a-half to four years.
How are customer service and technical support?
The tech support is great.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Prior to using Windows Server we used DBN.
What about the implementation team?
I handled the installation on my own.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a licensing fee. It is possible that the Windows Server OS was built with this server.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend the solution to others.
I rate Windows Server as a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Manager Operations at a non-profit with 1-10 employees
Easy to configure, stable, and easy to setup
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to use."
- "The security policies need improvement."
What is our primary use case?
We are in service and sales. We are serving and selling products to our customers.
What is most valuable?
It is easy to use.
It is also very easy to configure.
What needs improvement?
The security policies need improvement. The port mapping and the backdoor entries need to be improved.
I would like to see improvements with the security policies and there should be some other policies inbuilt with the server addition.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's a scalable solution. I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten.
80% is scalable and 20% has limitations.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not had contact with technical support.
How was the initial setup?
It is easy to set up.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Windows Server an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Network System Administrator - Team Leader at a comms service provider with 201-500 employees
Very easy to configure; lacks the option to separate services
Pros and Cons
- "Very easy to configure."
- "I'd like to be able to separate the services offered."
What is our primary use case?
I'm using the Windows Server to manage all the printers and all the additional hardware. I have a mini virtual server. We are customers of Windows and I'm a network system administrator.
What is most valuable?
The solution is very easy to configure.
What needs improvement?
I'd like an improvement in being able to separate all the services offered.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for seven years.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have some technical assistance if I need it, but it's not through Windows.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very easy. You connect to the internet and it's easy.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution a seven out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Systems and networks engineer at a government with self employed
A group of server operating systems that are easy to set up and use
Pros and Cons
- "I like that Windows Server is easy to use."
- "It would be better if they improved the user interface."
What is our primary use case?
I use Windows Server for applications.
What is most valuable?
I like that Windows Server is easy to use.
What needs improvement?
It would be better if they improved the user interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for a few years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is a stable solution.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
It's easy for me to install or set up the Windows Server, but I have some technicians who do it.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a license for Windows Server, but we have got the license from a local supplier,
Black Neuron Technology. They also provide tech support locally.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to potential users.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Windows Server a nine.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Manager Tech. & Support (Information Technology) at Texitech
Good performance, stable, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "Its performance is very good, and it is stable. All applications are working perfectly, and there is no issue."
- "It can have more integration, which will be useful for the data integration process. More integration with different applications and different OS would be quite good."
What is our primary use case?
We are using it for Windows Active Directory, DHCP Server, and application servers.
What is most valuable?
Its performance is very good, and it is stable. All applications are working perfectly, and there is no issue.
What needs improvement?
It can have more integration, which will be useful for the data integration process. More integration with different applications and different OS would be quite good.
For how long have I used the solution?
We are using Windows Server for the last eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have three to four Windows Servers, and all users are connected to these servers.
How are customer service and technical support?
They are customer-friendly.
How was the initial setup?
Its initial setup is very simple and easy. It normally takes 20 to 30 minutes. After the installation is done, the configuration takes some time, but it depends on what type of configuration is required.
What about the implementation team?
I did it myself. We have four technical guys who are connected to the deployment and maintenance of these servers.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have perpetual licenses.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others. I would rate Windows Server an eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sr Reporter at a media company with 201-500 employees
Good support, stable, easy to use, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "Windows server is easy to use."
- "Windows Server needs to introduce more dashboards."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution as our server application. Several applications are based on this operating system.
What is most valuable?
Windows server is easy to use.
What needs improvement?
Windows Server needs to introduce more dashboards.
A common user is not able to implement this solution. It could be simplified.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for a couple of years.
We are using version 2019.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is stable. I have no issues with the stability of the Windows Server.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have 45 servers in our organization.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is good. We have no issues with the support of Microsoft.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use any other solution.
How was the initial setup?
It is quick and easy to install.
The installation can take up to 45 minutes.
All technical people in our organization need to install Windows Server. Any IT engineer can deploy this solution. However, it cannot be set up by a regular user.
What about the implementation team?
I completed the installation myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is a licensing fee that is paid yearly.
It is an expensive solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.
It is very popular, I would rate Windows Server a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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