There are a couple of ways to install Windows Server 2008. When you're lucky enough to get your hands on a physical copy of a Windows Server 2008 DVD you can use that, but what if your target system doesn't have a DVD player? What if you want to install it in a different way? What if you wanted to save some time? Read on!.. more »

The Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1) add remote Server Core administration functionality to Windows Vista and can be used to remotely manage both Server Core installations and Full Installations of Windows Server 2008, when you know your way around them. Some expert knowledge is needed though! .. more »

Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 include new features in Active Directory, that were announced and explained at Microsoft’s Tech∙Ed EMEA. A lot of advancements are being made to Active Directory management. In Windows Server 2008 R2 not only do we have more reliable authentication and service accounts, but also we can undelete .. more »

At Tech∙Ed EMEA some information emerged on Windows Server 2008 R2. Specifically some information was handed out on the Server Core installation option in the successor to Windows Server 2008. Server Core installations of Windows Server 2008 R2 will provide more features. A trend is set to continue to provide a valuable alternative to Full .. more »

Microsoft released a new server hardware virtualization product yesterday: Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008. I've already discussed this product in full detail a while ago, so today I'll show you how to install this free and optimized Hyper-V product in five easy steps!.. more »

Whenever I hear Server Core and Hyper-V used in one sentence I get a big smile on my face. Here's how to install a freshly created Server Core installation with Hyper-V RTM in six easy to follow steps on your Server Core console!.. more »

I really don't think Windows Server 2008 is a good alternative in home environments to Windows Vista with SP1. Running an Operating System on unsupported hardware and installing applications in unsupported ways in my book simply doesn't constitute sanity. Windows Server 2008 may be an alternative to Vista in one role, one purpose scenarios... more »

It's easy to tell whether Windows Server 2008 is installed as Server Core. I know what you're thinking: "Duh! it only shows a command prompt window after you log on"... What if you wanted to find out programmatically? What if you're WinRS'ing into a Windows Server 2008 box?.. more »

Let's talk in-place upgrading Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 Domain Controllers to Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers. While this might seem like simply feeding the DVD and pressing Next> until your server reboots into Windows Server 2008, there's actually a more subtle and profound way to perform these in-place upgrades... more »

For years now Microsoft is using Windows Product Activation to protect its intellectual property from piracy. Windows Vista en Windows Server 2008 both sport Volume Activation 2.0. Although Server Core does not sport a full fledged Graphical User Interface, it doesn't escape the claws of Windows Product Activation... more »

Server Core is proving to be a versatile infrastructure platform. After installing your basic Server Core installation, configuring network interfaces, activating, enabling remote management (through RDP or WinRS in combination with WinRM) and changing the look and feel you might feel you're ready to install additional roles and/or features. You .. more »

Secunia conducted a little research lately and discover 95 of every 100 computers contains insecure software, meaning it isn't patched. A good example of such software is Quicktime, but also FireFox rates well. I've conducted a little research too and found out Server Core installations have little to no chance to be found out by Secunia to be .. more »

You might be running Windows Server 2003 (R2) Domain Controllers at the moment and you're looking to replace these servers with spanking new Windows Server 2008 Domain Controllers to utilize the new features of Windows Server 2008. This post intends to help you with this transition in a structured, balanced and thorough way... more »

One of the new preliminary features of Windows 7 is the homegroup, which was previously known as codename "Castle", before the feature got pulled from Windows Vista. This feature offers the benefits of Active Directory (roaming profiles, unified credentials) without the need for a server or server administration. A great feature!.. more »

Windows Server 2008 brings the successor to ye old NTBackup. The role that can be installed separately includes both a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) as command line tools. This article is a must read before deploying Windows Server 2008 in your environment! The difference between Server Core and Full installations of Windows Server 2008 is .. more »

Hyper-V is considered to be the ideal Hyper-V root partition because it needs less patching, has a smaller attack surface and offers better performance. That last claim has finally been put to the test!.. more »

Mark Russinovich made a hint in a recent Channel 9 interview on how Server Core would be ideal as Hyper-V host. Here's explaining why... more »

The Microsoft Virtualization team released a new Release Candidate build of Windows Server 2008 which contains Beta 1 of Hyper-V. Many new features and a new way to install accompany this new version, so check it out!.. more »

Windows Server 2008 features a minimal Server installation option called "Server Core". This option installs a Windows Server without (Internet) Explorer, Windows Mail, Windows Media Player, etc. This sounds like a good idea, but the Server Core team also ditched features like the .Net Framework, PowerShell, and all of the Management Consoles. .. more »

Microsoft released Windows Server 2008 Release Candidate 1 publicly today, along with Release Candidate 1 for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. This means the teams are definitely on schedule for a Q1 2008 release date for both products!.. more »