If you don’t want to configure all options to convert Windows Server 2008 to a Workstation manually, sawo now made it possible to use a tool for this. He has done a great job by creating this converter to automate all steps of the manual!
Get the Windows Server 2008 Workstation Converter
Support & Suggestions
- At this page (http://converter.win2008workstation.com/) using comments.
- At the Forums in the ‘Windows Server 2008 Workstation Converter’ section.
- By contacting sawo via email: sawo.777 [at] gmail [dot] com.
Known Issue
The UxTheme patch may in cause an unbootable system in a few cases. To fix this, boot up the pc in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, change directory to %windir%\System32 and rename the UxTheme.backup file back to UxTheme.dll. Now reboot and everything should work fine again!
Features of the Converter
General
Visual Tweaks
Network
Games
Other
Delay Activation
Possible commandline parameters
-audio Enable windows audio
-cpu Optimize CPU performance for programs
-ie Disable IE Enhanced Security Configuration
-dotnet Install .NET Framework 3.0
-superfetch Enable SuperFetch
-desktop Install desktop experience
-themes Enable themes
-cad Disable CTRL+ALT+DEL at Startup
-events Disable shutdown event tracker
-name Change computer name
-wireless Enable wireless networking
-offline Enable offline files
-search Enable windows search service
-autologin Enable auto logon
-delay Delay activation
-check Check the remaining days left until activation
-uxtheme32 Apply the UxTheme Patch for 32bit systems
-uxtheme64 Apply the UxTheme Patch for 64bit systems
-sidebar32 Install the sidebar for 32bit systems.
-sidebar64 Install the sidebar for 64bit systems.
-joy32 Install the control panel item for game controllers on 32bit systems.
-joy64 Install the control panel item for game controllers on 64bit systems.
-cursors Install the vista aero cursors.
More information can be found in Readme.txt and Changelog.txt.
at first i want to say that this is a great site.
everthing works fine except getting the game controllers item into the control panel and “sony vegas pro 8.0b” doesn’t work because of stackhash error or something like that!
anyone has a idea why this doesnt work?
This is amazing–I’ve set up a couple of Dell Precision 4300 laptops using this process and while there were some tweaks I had to play with, this was a great reference!
Great job guys!
how about funktions next to “Apply” to undone made changes?
well… i was to fast and clicked x86 sidebar and x86 on the other features but i have an x64 system and now i need to search for, how i can make it undone.
rock on dude!
FYI GoGrid is offering virtual Servers. They have a free $100 trial when you use the promo code ‘GGED’. They are one of the first to offer 2008. EC2 doesn’t even offer windows. http://www.gogrid.com
Same problem as Viktor & Ewen. Applying tool to Ent x64 killed explorer with UxTheme.dll error. OS was unrecoverable and required reinstallation.
Wow nice work ! Thanks
Great tool. Guys like you make a difference on many people’s life. I have a great job now. I feel like you are god and I have spoken to you!!! You are a good guy I can feel it. Keep up the good work!
Loucohi
For everyone who has their UxTheme broken: Boot in safemode with a CMD prompt. From there you can do the necessary revertations. No need to reinstall.
I think that the problem lies in that it doesn’t have the rights to replace the file. The renaming to UxTheme.backup(?) is working fine, but then it fails when the software tries to add the hacked one.
Portuguese language: http://livebetas.net/2008/07/22/dica-converter-windows-server-2008-em-workstation-e-possivel/
All rights win2008workstation, translation portuguese all rights Livebetas.net ( Original Rights win2008worstation)
This looks like an amazing program!
I have the same problem then Dennis Meenhuis(reply 34).
You could always try replacing the uxtheme.dll on your own. I think there are resources you can search for that carry the hacked uxtheme.dll. This may cut the risk of messing up your system. However, if this is anything like Vista, themeui.dll and shsvcs.dll also need to be replaced. Be careful. Don’t forget to replace all three. Here’s one location of the download: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/UxTheme-Patch-for-Windows-Server-2008.shtml
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Make sure you have an unraring utility. Happy hacking
By the way, for the newbies and the people that need a memory refresh, remember that the patched files go into “%systemroot%\System32″ (x86/32-bit) or “%systemroot%\SysWOW64″ (only for x64 users). Make sure you have full control of the old files and rename them to -the filename-.dll.old (i.e. uxtheme.dll.old) and then copy the new ones in. Good luck and have fun.
using a vista crack on 2008 server will also cause those uxtheme errors. of course using a vista crack on 2008 server breaks alot of stuff. dont use it.
I have a problem to burn dvd’s with my normal user account. With the Administrator account there is no problem. I think this is a right problem…
Thanks very much. It’s a great tool. Thanks a bunch. Good Work.
How about tv tuner? Is it possible to use same “vista media center” in Windows Server 2008?
Arris: You can find more information about tv tuners in Server 2008 in this topic at the forum. Vista Media Center is listed in the Wish List.
Wow, Just Wow. You saved me a lot of tweak time!! thanks
Hi!
Great tool, no issue to date.
Just a question about video camera. I plugged my Sony Video Camera yesterday and the Video Capture Wizzard we have in Vista doen’t start automatically in Windows 2008… Is it present? If yes is there’s a way to enable it, if no is there’s a way to install it
Thanks!
Arris: I don’t know what Video Capture Wizard you mean. Maybe it’s the one from Windows Movie Maker? See this topic to add Windows Movie Maker in Server 2008.
Are there any newer tweaks that I’ll have to do manually after this, or is this the whole shebang?
useful , powerful and convenient tool . thanks very much
Excellent little tool. Very much appreciated.
Same as Viktor. No more system. No cracks either. Full bought version.
Oh well. Start Over.
thanx man.
This is fantastic, thank you!
What about adding the DirectMusic Fix to this package? It would be very convenient to use from here, and is (after this package) the most important thing to install on a workstation where games are played at
The fix is available from this site, http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=549
I used the converter 1.0 program to rearm windows 2008 workstation 32 bit enterprise edition. This is the first rearm – I now have a “not genuine” message in the lower left of my screen after I did the rearm. All other aspects of the software appear to be working fine. Is there a way to get rid of the “not genuine” message, or is there until I do a reformat and reinstall at the end of the 240 days. Thanks
Arris: To be sure the rearm went good, execute the slmgr.vbs -dli command to make sure it was rearmed successfully. If not, maybe there is a bug in the converter so the rearm fails. Then just use the manual way to rearm your system.
AWESOME. thank you for all the hard work that went into this work.
Класс!
Can we install the drivers for audio / video / NIC once we install 2008 server as a workstation
Arris: Sure, just go to your Device Manager (Start -> Run -> devmgmt.msc).
hi i’m from italy i’ve follow the guide and i’ve used the server converter and the result is awesome,maybe the server 2008 result the best operating system from microsof,thanks for the guide and the help…i have a problem with messenger,msn loose the connection every 5 minutes and it’s a bit annoying,somebody can halp me?
sawo,
What a wonderful idea. Great work. Is it possible to run this on a laptop? I just bought a 64 bit HP-dv7 laptop and installed 2008 server in place of Vista originally there. I’ve since been told it will never work on a laptop because of hard wired driver requirements etc. I’m not an IT guy (just a programmer) and so am a dummy when it comes to this. I am having trouble getting it to even recognize the built-in card. Do I have to give up and restore Vista or will your application do the job?
I appreciate any help. Thanks.
Frank Fox
Hendersonville, Tennessee
I have driverpacks succesfully integrated into install using vistatool.
Alot of things like Desktop Experience can be enabled in the Answer file .
Great piece of software, but others are right, you need to change the buttons so that they check for status. If the tweaks are already applied, change the button to say “disable”, if the changes are not applied, label the button as “enable”.
I play with this stuff all the time and report on it for my blog, but HEY THIS IS COOL! I used to run Windows Server 2003 with a bunch of mods as my primary desktop, but I REALLY want to go server 2008 and this gets me closer. I will install a version on a computer around here in the next couple days and I will write a full story and credit your blog with links and everything. Thanks again for a great post!
Be aware that some apps (e.g. free AV, Windows Live) will refuse to install on a Server OS.
The rearm feature is borderline illegal, it’s not intended that you “obtain” the install media and get a free OS, and doubtful that anyone would be “evaluating” Windows Server for 3/4 of a year…