Currently, we are trying to use the solution as the host for a specific system. Another use case is as NFS files sharing space.
The solution is deployed on-premise.
SA at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Enables you to use as a NFS file sharing space and has GUI
Pros and Cons
- "From the very beginning, I have been using a Windows-based OS so for me, it's very easy because it's GUI compared to command line or something Linux-based."
- "The only thing that could be improved is the price."
- "The license is a one-time purchase. The cost could be less expensive. We have education pricing, so it's okay now because we pay less than other agencies."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
From the very beginning, I have been using a Windows-based OS so for me, it's very easy because it's GUI compared to command line or something Linux-based. I prefer GUI, so Windows is very good for me.
What needs improvement?
The only thing that could be improved is the price.
I just installed the evaluation because I got the license product key, so I need to activate it. But to my surprise, I cannot activate the evaluation version so I need to recreate the VMs using the ISO that Microsoft gives to me.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for around two years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We haven't had any issues with stability. We have about eight people using the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I haven't had any issues with the scalability because I'm using virtualization.
How are customer service and support?
When I wanted to activate the Windows Server using the product key that I have just purchased, I used Microsoft support in Malaysia. They wanted me to forward the problem to the Microsoft support machine. It's very fast and they will respond even at night.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I haven't used any other solutions because my IT career began with using Windows.
How was the initial setup?
The solution was easy to install. It didn't take longer than 10 minutes. We have two engineers for maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The license is a one-time purchase. The cost could be less expensive. We have education pricing, so it's okay now because we pay less than other agencies.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution 9 out of 10. I recommend this solution.
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. Network Administrator at a manufacturing company with 201-500 employees
Good integration and easy to use
Pros and Cons
- "One of the most valuable features of Windows Server is that it is easy to use. Also, with Windows, everything is integrated."
- "Windows Server could be improved with cheaper licensing costs."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of Windows Server is running our business applications, such as ERP.
This solution is deployed on-premises.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features of Windows Server is that it is easy to use. Also, with Windows, everything is integrated.
What needs improvement?
Windows Server could be improved with cheaper licensing costs.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Windows Server for more than 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is stable, and we have had no problems.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of this solution seems good.
We have more than 150 people in our organization using this solution. We don't currently have plans to increase our usage.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before implementing Windows Server, we used Oracle Linux. We switched to Windows Server because, when we upgraded, the integration was good with the FieldServer.
How was the initial setup?
For installation, 2016 took even less time than 2012. '16 takes maybe fifteen to twenty minutes, maximum. I can handle the installation myself.
For deployment and maintenance, we have a team of one or two people.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented this solution through an in-house team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
To use Windows Server, we pay for licensing yearly. The licensing cost should be cheaper—it is expensive and should not cost that much.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Windows Server a ten out of ten. I would recommend Windows Server to others, but it depends on their requirements. We can meet our requirements with Windows because we have a Microsoft ERP. It has good performance with the Windows Server, which is why we use this solution.
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.
Buyer's Guide
Windows Server
January 2026
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881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Lead DevOps Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Satisfied with performance and stability
Pros and Cons
- "A valuable feature of Windows Server has been the performance. We have done all the redundancy and fault tolerance things to protect our servers and, so far, so good."
- "As for additional features, we are very interested in the new feature released by Windows: Azure Virtual Desktop. We are currently exploring it so that instead of people depending on their own desktop, we could work on Azure Virtual Desktop. Integration with Azure Virtual Desktop would be cool."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of Windows Server is application support. We have applications such as SAP-based or web-based solutions that we use through Citrix-based solutions. We deploy it on Azure.
What is most valuable?
A valuable feature of Windows Server has been the performance. We have done all the redundancy and fault tolerance things to protect our servers and, so far, so good.
What needs improvement?
As for additional features, we are very interested in the new feature released by Windows: Azure Virtual Desktop. We are currently exploring it so that instead of people depending on their own desktop, we could work on Azure Virtual Desktop. Integration with Azure Virtual Desktop would be cool.
For how long have I used the solution?
We recently began using Windows Server.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable and we're satisfied with the performance.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We enabled scalability, but haven't scaled it much. We have a limited set of users, so the scalability feature is not really in use.
There are many end users, but there are less than 10 people managing this solution. We don't currently have plans to increase our usage because we are happy with the current capacity. We may decide to increase our usage later, but it depends on the solution and new requirements.
How are customer service and support?
We have contacted Microsoft's technical support. We used to have weekly and monthly meetings with them, so we got up-to-date directly from Microsoft support, which were were happy with.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use a different solution previously. We went directly for Microsoft because the solution is only supported by Microsoft, so we've never tried any other operating system.
How was the initial setup?
The installation was easy. We didn't do it directly because we have an Infrastructure as Code setup, with Terraform, so we were able to do it very easily. As for the time frame, if you go for a manual process, it will take five or ten minutes, but using code, you can deploy the solutions in less than a minute. We managed it ourselves, without any support.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented this solution through an in-house team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm not involved much in the payment part, but I believe that we pay a yearly subscription for licensing.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Windows Server an eight out of ten. I would recommend it to others who are considering implementation.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
DGM-IT at a construction company with 10,001+ employees
Runs well, good performance, no issues and it is stable
Pros and Cons
- "Windows Server is running well, the performance is good, there are no issues and it is stable."
- "Sometimes we are getting very quick support, sometimes it takes time."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Windows Server for our business applications, ERP and everything else.
What is most valuable?
Windows Server is running well, the performance is good, there are no issues and it is stable.
Because we are using it a very long time and all our applications need Windows OS to run, so by default, we are using Windows OS.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server for more than 20 years.
In terms of the versions we are using, it is mixed - we are using 2016 and 2019. A few of our servers are still using the 2012, also.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In terms of scalability, in one server we need to install only one OS. So if you want to install more OS's in more servers, then we can install it.
How are customer service and support?
The quality of support depends upon the Microsoft products. Sometimes they will provide quick support, sometimes it takes time, so I cannot comment exactly on their support.
Sometimes we are getting very quick support, sometimes it takes time.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are using Windows Server as well as a few open tool Linux.
How was the initial setup?
Windows Server typically takes around 30 minutes to install.
We need very few people for deploying the Windows Server.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Without a license we cannot use Windows Server. The price depends on the people and their budget. We have our enterprise EA agreement with Microsoft and based on that we are doing the licenses.
What other advice do I have?
Everyone knows how the graphic user interface looks with Microsoft Windows Server.
In terms of whether I would recommend Microsoft Windows Server, it depends on their use case. If their application is running only in Windows Server, they should use the server.
On a scale of one to ten, I would give Microsoft Windows Server an eight.
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.
Cyber security manager at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Quick and easy installation with good troubleshooting abilities
Pros and Cons
- "The features that I have found most valuable are that it is quick with an easy installation and has good troubleshooting compared to Linux or any other operating system."
- "I would like to see better updates and for it to support other applications"
What is our primary use case?
Windows Server is deployed both on-premises and on cloud.
What is most valuable?
The features that I have found most valuable are that it is quick with an easy installation and has good troubleshooting compared to Linux or any other operating system.
They provide updates and patches in a timely manner.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see better updates and for it to support other applications
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Windows Server since the inception of the company.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Windows Server is stable. It is just that the updates and other things do sometimes break. The updates are fast so maybe everything is my issue with the legacy applications.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Windows Server is scalable. We have around 300 to 500 users on it.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer support is okay, but I believe it would be much better if they supported other applications. The challenge with them is they will say that you have installed some applications that they cannot support. So the blame game is there in that case and it is not a Microsoft issue or an application specific issue. So we have to fiddle around with that.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy. It took 10 to 15 minutes.
We had a technical team of around 10 people for the deployment and maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
You can do it by yourself or with the help of the consultant or integrator, it depends on the configuration you need.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale of one to ten, I would give Windows Server an eight.
My advice to anyone considering Windows Server is, if they don't have any other choice then they can use it. If they have a choice then they should go for an alternate solution because in the longer run they can save a lot of money in licensing.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Project Manager at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Good technical support, stable, and easy to set up
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is quite straightforward."
- "The price could be a little less. It's a bit expensive."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution as a base layer for our software. Our developers decided they should create our products based on the Microsoft platform. We have to use the Windows Server as the applied model.
We have some solutions based on Linux, however, Microsoft Windows Server is the primary operating system.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution has improved our organization as we are able to sell our products with Microsoft. Without it, we can't make our business work.
What is most valuable?
The solution is absolutely integral to our business processes.
It's a widely used system.
The product is very stable.
The initial setup is quite straightforward.
Technical support is very helpful.
What needs improvement?
I haven't had any experience with active data storage or high-level configuration. From my perspective, Windows Server can stay on this level without any development as it works for me how it is.
The price could be a little less. It's a bit expensive.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, there were some problems with stability, however, right now, we haven't needed to install any patches and we have not faced any problems. I'd describe it as quite stable at this point.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is used widely across the company. However, I cannot speak to how many servers we have at this time.
We do plan to increase usage as we continue to grow.
How are customer service and technical support?
Microsoft technical support has been great. They are helpful and responsive. We are very happy with the level of support on offer.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward and not overly difficult.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing isn't the cheapest. For example, Linux would be a free option. People don't have to pay for it. With Microsoft, you need to pay to license it.
What other advice do I have?
We are a customer and end-user. We are also a Microsoft reseller.
SQL Server 10 can't work without an operating system. It needs to be installed on the machine with an operating system, so it is dependent on it. A Windows Server needs to be installed as a first step before SQL will be installed.
We primarily use on-premies or private cloud deployment models.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
I'd recommend the solution. It's a very good platform.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
Programma / Project Manager at a transportation company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Easy to set up, scalable, and secure
Pros and Cons
- "The solution has a sufficient amount of stability and performance that meets my needs."
- "The cost to use the solution is quite high."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily use it for my day-to-day business tasks.
What is most valuable?
As an end-user, the experience of the solution is that it's very reliable. It just works. As long as it doesn't affect my daily operation and we can work safely and securely with each other, that's all I care about.
The solution has a sufficient amount of stability and performance that meets my needs.
I can work securely and all the files are easily accessible.
The initial setup is very simple and straightforward.
The scalability potential is quite good.
What needs improvement?
The cost to use the solution is quite high.
Our main problem is the Citrix environment we're still in. However, we're migrating from that to the Windows 10 environment, so Citrix will be out within two or three years. Therefore, performance is not really an issue - on the operating system at least.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for more than three years at this point, It's been a while now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and the performance is good. I've found it to be reliable. It doesn't give me trouble. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution can scale if you need it to.
We have about 70,000 users on this product currently.
How are customer service and technical support?
I don't have any experience with technical support. 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 solution. It's always been Windows, although we may at some point have also used Unbuntu Linux.
How was the initial setup?
The initial implementation is easy. It's not overly complex or difficult. It's just pushed with the build we have and that way it doesn't affect the end-user. It's just ready to go. We find that the installation is simple and efficient.
While we have a technical team of about 5,000 or 6,000 users, I'm not sure how many were involved in the initial deployment.
What about the implementation team?
The initial setup was handled internally. They did it themselves. There's sufficient knowledge of the Windows Server products to do it in-house. We have a rather large IT department. It's over 5,000 people.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is quite high on Microsoft products. It would be ideal if they were made to be more affordable.
With the magnitude of our organization, every three years, a proper review of the contracts would be handled.
Although it's my understanding that we have some special deal with Microsoft, I cannot speak to the exact cost or the licensing agreement that was reached.
What other advice do I have?
We are customers and end-users of the product.
In general, if you're asking me if I'm happy with Windows Server, yes, I am.
On a scale from one to ten, I would rate it at an eight. I'm satisfied with its overall capabilities.
I would recommend the solution to other users and organizations.
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.
VP Global Information Technology at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees
Easy to set up with good performance and helpful technical support
Pros and Cons
- "The stability and performance are great."
- "We've had a few minor compatibility issues."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for hosting applications. We have six applications, which are VMs.
What is most valuable?
The stability and performance are great.
The initial setup is pretty straightforward.
The solution can scale.
Technical support is great.
What needs improvement?
We've had a few minor compatibility issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Windows Server for 20 to 25 years at this point. It's likely been over two decades. We've used it for quite a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is extremely stable and the performance has been great. The product doesn't crash or freeze. We don't experience bugs or glitches. It's a reliable system.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good. We moved from the 2012 version to the 2019 version and found that the scalability has improved.
We have about 10,000 users on the solution currently.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support has been fine. We are satisfied with the level of support we get.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We previously used the 2012 version and have since moved to the 2019 version of Windows Server.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was very straightforward for us. We didn't run into any issues and didn't find any complexities or difficulties. We upgraded from the 2012 to the 2019 version and that took us about one day. It was pretty fast.
We have a team of about 15 technicians that can handle deployment and maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
We did not use a consultant or integrator when we did the implementation. We handled it ourselves, in-house. We were quite capable of handling the process internally.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay a yearly licensing fee.
What other advice do I have?
We are using the 2019 version of the solution, which is the latest.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
I would recommend the solution to other organizations and companies.
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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