Convert your Windows Server 2008 to a Workstation!

Windows Server 2008 to Workstation Manual

1. gasapi August 16, 2009 at 7:22 am

   Installing Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 on Windows Server 2008
   Want to install KIS09 on your Windows2008 Workstation

   Do this

   1. Download
   http://download.microsoft.com/download/platformsdk/sdk/update/win98mexp/en-us/3790.0/msisdk-common.3.0.cab
   2. Extract and rename “Orca_Msi.FD66E721_5AA0_41BC_AA26_1EC8F7FA1175″ to Orca.msi and install
   3. Start kis8.0.0.454en.exe and while its running from your temp folder copy the msi it creates, ill call it kis8.0.0.454en.exe.msi.
   4. Open kis8.0.0.454en.exe.msi with Orca
   5. Delete the following Actions in Tables.
   a. Table: InstallExecuteSequence
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSSet
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSShow
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeSet
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeShow
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeWrite
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSWrite
   b. Table: InstallUISequence
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSShow
   - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeShow
   6. Save and Run.
2. Snafu August 17, 2009 at 3:52 am

   Comodo Firewall for x64 (the free version)3.10.102363 works perfectly on winserver2k8 standard x64 (all updates applied to 8-16-09). I only have the firewall enabled and applications are not able to access the internet. It seems to be working fine with TrendMicro OfficeScan client for Windows 8 sp1.

   Outpost Security Suite was working but it frequently would stop inbound traffic after the system was up for 3+ days with torrent traffic.
3. THE area51 August 20, 2009 at 2:43 am

   I’m not sure if someone has already said this, but since i found it out on my own and haven’t read about it anywhere on the web:

   Solution to all you gusy wnating to install your legal ESET NOD 32 v 4 smart security / antivirus on server 2008 r1/r2 – it works for both and x86/x64…

   just fetch yout up-to-date home setup version and open the msi installer with the official microsoft orca editor (which is why i am quite sure this workaround can’t be called “illegal” in any way – otherwise they were more than naive)

   get to the Property section – and THE ONLY entry you have to change (which is why i can’t really believe it myself) is “Producttype” and change it from “eav” or “ess” depending on what product you have to “eavbe” or “essbe” – save the msi and start it – yup THERE YOU GO.. it will come up with some normal warning on the first page of setup but it will workt just the way it does on a non-server OS – you do not have the real Business Edition after installation – but still the OS check is deactivated which is what we want.

   Maybe this could be posted to the solutions comment in the above list.
   I hope this helps…

   Arris: Nice one! Haven’t thought about using this kind of workaround, but it sounds very good!
4. Someone else August 20, 2009 at 5:42 am

   The AVG free hack no longer works, seems the setup program uses a different detection method.
5. gheo August 21, 2009 at 10:29 pm

   great one,and well doen.keep up
6. Shezaudi September 3, 2009 at 8:27 pm

   Hey guys,

   I installed avg on windows server 2008, with your help. I must say, you guys are the best.

   regards, keep up the good work.
7. Sam September 9, 2009 at 2:29 pm

   Bitdefender 2010 Total security x64 seems to work without any issues, meaning better then 2009 (which had from time to time memory issues). You do have to apply the MSI fix.

   http://download.bitdefender.com/windows/desktop/total_security/final/
8. raver September 13, 2009 at 10:52 am

   Did anybody tried Microsoft Essentials antivirus on Server 2008?
9. agentclark September 15, 2009 at 5:18 pm

   avira antivir premium 9 works fine on server 2008 r2 standart x64 with registry hack
10. Geo September 20, 2009 at 2:41 am

    Warning! I downloaded the AVG 9.0 beta and tried to use the tweak that worked for 8.5. The tweak has failed because Grisoft has changed the AVG installer. Looks like our days of AVG working on a server OS are numbered.

    As for MSSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) does not install on a Server OS regardless of how many known tweaks to the registry you attempt.
11. Krkan September 27, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Here is a modified AVG 8.5 installer for everyone that doesn’t want to do it manually.

    http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=83cb9c1facbedd6a4c17ca8801618ef7e04e75f6e8ebb871
12. Havenger October 9, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Avast 4 Home works @ server 2008 r2 ! I have installed with compatiblity mode in windows 98 / me and at the moment i just run the security test on all drives. i hope the best that works forever so good ( sorry my english is not so good ! ) …
13. Amuzed2pieces November 2, 2009 at 3:30 am

    I am using the Free PC Tools Anti-virus sucessfully on Server 2008 x64 without any hacks, but I had to run it in compatability mode for X/P.

    BitDefender Antivirus 2010 (not trial) does not install on Server x64
    Kaperskey Antivirus 2010 did not install.
    Avast did not install.

    By the way, this is one of the most thorough websites I have ever seen. Microsoft should make a workstation version of Server 2008 that has an easy set up wizard for all the options listed here… and then send you a fat check for your work. Great Job.
14. CPJ November 5, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    AVG 9.0 Doesn’t work with the above fix. You can edit the .exe file as described above and replace the 2 instances of the key name but it still complains that you’re installing on a server, so there is some further check taking place
15. Jon November 9, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    CPJ is right. We need a new workaround for the new AVG 9.0, which will be a required upgrade by mid-December or else we will have to look at other antivirus software (But I’d rather keep AVG!)
16. Contrive November 10, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    ZoneAlarm 8 and Clamwin 0.95.3 work well on WS2K8 x64

    Comodo does not

    Spybot S&D installs but has errors in starting the service.
17. Mike November 16, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    @216: Comodo firewall and Spybot run fine for me, WS2K8 x64 (SP1).
18. Anonymous November 21, 2009 at 2:05 am

    Eset Smart Security Business Edition 4.0.467 antivirus + firewall working. But it is not free.

    PC Tools Free Edition is working realtime (poor realtime).

    a-Squared Free Edition is working (not realtime, but good for weekly scanning)

    GNU ClamWin Free Edition is working (not realtime, but good for weekly scanning).
19. Levent November 21, 2009 at 2:16 am

    Sorry, I forgot to write my name.

    Zone Alarm Firewall with Antivirus Edition is working. (good)

    Free Online Armor Firewall (-) is working. (good)

    Free Comodo Firewall is not running, it is better than Online Armor Free Edition, but it is not working.

    I use Windows Server 2008 (x86) Firewall.
20. Levent November 21, 2009 at 2:52 am

    Free Moon Secure runs (but slow down computer, don’t use).

    Bitdefender Total Security is not for servers, not running.

    IO-Bit Security 360 is working. (Big brother of AWC/ASC 3)
21. Levent November 25, 2009 at 10:00 am

    I beg your pardon about Comodo. I installed Free Comodo Internet Security (Firewall and Antivirus) and running on Windows Server 2008.

    Comodo Firewall is number one. And Comodo Antivirus is same as Kaspersky. I tested on it my an infetected old CD and Comodo is the best.

    You may use Comodo Internet Security.

    ( CIS_Setup_3.13.120417.573_XP_Vista_x32.exe )
22. Dant December 10, 2009 at 10:48 am

    tried installing G DATA InternetSecurity 2009, installed fine. upon restart i was met with a BSOD. checking the event viewer in safe mode, the G DATA drivers and services were the cause of it, disabled everything from auto-start and system booted fine

    im using 2k8 R2 x64 and have yet to find a firewall that doesnt do this, really dont wanna be stuck with windows firewall
23. afwsl2003 December 25, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    as gasapi says in post 201 …. it work fine … i tried that method when installing KIS 2010 …. no probs at all …

    enjoy …
24. wsecluded February 22, 2010 at 10:31 am

    Got Avast 5 working on R2, with updates and all, by changing the three avast services to log on as a local account (as opposed to the “Local System” account). To do this, create a new account, make it a member of “Administrators”, do Scimitar’s “Deny Read” registry hack against the new account, temporarily disable the Avast! self-defense module (in settings\troubleshooting within the Avast GUI), open server manager and assign the new account to all three avast services, restart the services, re-enable self-defense, enjoy.

    For reference, here are Scimitar’s reg hack instructions:
    *********************************************************************
    http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=257

    “Thanks to the process monitor which was mentioned in another thread I’ve found a way to install Antivir Personal Edition which I want to share with you.

    It’s pretty simple and might work with other programms which check for a Server OS and deny the installation too.

    1.) Start –> Run –> Regedit
    2.) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SYSTEM –> CurrentControlset –> Control
    3.) Now change the permissions of the folder “ProductOptions” –> add your user account (for example Computername\Username) and deny yourself the read rights for the whole folder. Be careful not to deny the whole rights for all administrators or something like that (I tried that first cause of a black out and it leads to windows not being able to boot).
    4.) Now you should be able to install Antivir PE

    In case you want to revert the permission settings just log to your administrator account. Here you can again grant your user account full rights for “ProductOptions”.

    Up until now I didn’t notice any drawbacks but I won’t garantie that there might be some.”

    *** Firewall
25. Antivirus March 1, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    I would definitely recommend going with Sophos for these solutions. My organization has been running their security software for several years now and I cannot even imagine how it could perform any better for us.
26. Security March 4, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    I do agree that Sophos has some fantastic products that stack up right alongside with the big boys. I run Avira at home and AVG on my work machine, but my company uses Sophos mainly.
27. Windows Server Besitzer und kein Plan HELP | PC-Users.de - pingback on March 12, 2010 at 11:01 pm
28. Valorisa March 17, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    @wsecluded

    Doesn’t work with W2K8 R1 unfortunately.

    Avast 5 for the installation : OK
    Avast 5 for the updates : no good
29. Anonymous March 25, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    new version of avira wont work on server 2008 r2, even with reg hack
30. Joe April 3, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    PC Tools Firewall Plus works under x64 Windows SRV 2008 ENT. Flawlessly.
31. Daniel May 20, 2010 at 1:05 am

    Thanks a lot wsecluded! Avast 5 working perfectly here with your steps above!
32. wolfi.thomas May 25, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    I don’t get it work on Server 2008 R1. Any tipps or advises?
33. Cruelsister June 17, 2010 at 2:08 am

    Comodo has come out with version 4.1.something of their FREE Internet Security Suite. Although according to them Server2008 is not supported I gave it a try.

    Installation was quick and nice. To see if it worked I sent myself some emailed malware which was blocked in all instances. I browsed to some zero day malware sites and Defense Plus blocked all. All ports stealthed.

    So it seems this package works fine (at a total RAM use of less than 20,000K and little CPU use. This really may be the best security package available. To see it tested, check out Languy99′s video on it:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/languy99#p/u/20/24f4GB9bHdw
34. Cruelsister June 17, 2010 at 2:17 am

    I should have added that Comodo only supports 32bit OS’es.
35. joe_camel July 11, 2010 at 9:32 am

    BitDefender Antivirus 2010 works with Win2008R2 x64. It will initially error out saying it’s only compatible with XP/Vista/7, so you have to be wily as they only give you a very small exe that downloads the bdav.msi from their site. Once the install fails if you go edit the msi in your temp internet files, and take the [1] out of the filename, it works like a champ!
36. JohnDoe August 6, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    Got Kaspersky KIS 2011 to work with 2008 R2 Enterprise x64 doing it like No. 201
37. Lennard Strohmeyer September 11, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Hi.
    I found out, that you can install Avast! 5 using the Registry tweak, but than you can’t update it. So I wrote a program, which manually updates Avast! 5.
    Download link: http://rapidshare.com/files/418395247/Avast_Download_Update_setup.exe

    if it doesn’t work:
    http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2O0HSLE2

    Arris: Nice work, very useful for many people! Thanks for your comment!
38. raynet October 3, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 works without any tricks atleast on the 64bit version.
39. norbbbo November 26, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    I can confirm the raynet’s post: on my w2008 workstation AVG 2011 free edition works fine without any tricks. Avoid the 32 bits version, it will break off the installation with an error.

    Thanks Raynet and thanks AVG technologies!!
40. Freddy December 11, 2010 at 11:21 am

    HI were can I find AVG 2011 64 bit?
    The only I can find ends whit an error. And it doesent say anywhere if its 32 or 64 bit.

    Thanx for all the fine work I love server 2008.
41. Freddy December 11, 2010 at 11:53 am

    Hi again Finally I found 64 bit AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011.
    http://free.avg.com/us-en/download.prd-afh

    But sadly it did not work for me still same error.
    http://freddy.zapto.org/avg/AVG%20Setup%20error.jpg

    hope some1 got a solution.

    Thanx Freddy
42. Avira User December 26, 2010 at 11:59 pm

    In order to install latest (10) version of Avira Free PE:

    1. Download Avira 9 [http://www.filehippo.com/download_antivir/tech/6685/]

    2. Use the known hack to install Avira Antivir 9:
    1.) Start => Run => Regedit
    2.) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE => SYSTEM => CurrentControlset => Control
    3.) Now change the permissions of the folder “ProductOptions” => add your user account (for example Computername\Username) and deny yourself the read rights for the whole folder. Be careful not to deny the whole rights for all administrators or something like that (I tried that first cause of a black out and it leads to windows not being able to boot).

    3. Install Antivir PE 9

    4. Leave the hack (not sure if needed)

    5. Run the Antivir 10 Installer

    6. It should upgrade Antivir 9 to 10 successfully.

    7. Remove the hack

    Good Luck!

    Arris: Very well explained, thank you for your comment!
43. E_T January 13, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Microsoft Security Essentials 2 works on Server 2008 R2. I have it installed and working. No problems, tweaks, hacks, work-arounds needed. Supposedly it works on Server 2008 but I haven’t tried it.
44. ryanmch January 22, 2011 at 7:03 am

    To follow on E_T’s post, MSE 2 does in fact work on Win Server 2008. I am running Enterprise x86. MSE 2 installed and is working with no probs, tweaks, hacks, etc.
45. tekker March 17, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    Just installed MSE on Server 2008 R2 x64 standard today. No tweaks etc.
46. CMjoey May 26, 2011 at 8:33 am

    I am using ClamWin Free Anti-virus for my Win2k8 32-bit seems work fine,but I am still searching for the real-time protection…Anyone got idea?

    Thanks,
47. AntiAntivir October 14, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Is there a way to get Avira Antivir Free Edition Version 12 installed on server OS? I am currently using the reg hack upgrade trick from version 9 to 10. That works very well, but Version 12 will not install with known tricks. Neither fresh installation without pre installed versions works nor upgrade installation over version 10. Perhaps there is someone out there who found solution for this. Perhaps there is a way to modify setup.exe or presetup.exe?
48. Tabsik December 28, 2011 at 12:21 am

    Now, Avast free from v. 6.0.1367 refuses to update even with the shown hack ;(
49. Anonymous January 26, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Regarding how to install Avira Antivir Free Edition Version 12:

    Take a look at halladayrules’s post here: http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=965&start=80

    Basically it’s extracting the Avira setup archive (avira_setup.exe or something similar) and then using Microsoft Application Verifier to make the extracted installer think it’s running on a workstation

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