Final Windows 2008 Workstation!
Windows Server 2008 to Workstation Manual
Aero and SideBar enabled with NOD32 v3 AntiVirus installed.
WindowsKey + Tab to switch between windows.
It just works great! 
Tags Server 2008 Workstation
Aero and SideBar enabled with NOD32 v3 AntiVirus installed.
WindowsKey + Tab to switch between windows.
It just works great!
Tags Server 2008 Workstation
March 14th, 2008 at 18:10
I am using windows server 2008. And it’s better than vista.
I have to turn on so many future. and i have to install some driver.
I am not sure, but i think 90% of driver of vista works, with server 2008.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:11
Will try this on older system, without aero. Looks good.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:44
I used Vista Ultimate x86 for 9 months, liked the interface but got frustrated with speed issues, even with SP1
after reading some convincing reviews, I moved to Windows 2008 x64 with the workstation tweaks nicely explained on this site
the difference in speed and stability (with the same hardware) is huge, and the compatibility issues limited (mainly due to 64 bit environment)
Microsoft did really a poor job on the consumer version of their OS
May 9th, 2008 at 17:52
Thanks for doing this tutorial!!
Admin: No problem!
Have a great time using Windows Server 2008 Workstation. 
May 10th, 2008 at 21:21
Great tutorial. thx
May 11th, 2008 at 23:47
Fantastic tutorials. I could have got half of them myself having tweked registries and played with pre-release candidates of 2008, but this guide makes it easy and straight-forward, just followed every single page
Keep up the good work and I’ll sign up to the forums…
THANKS!!!
Admin: Thanks for the compliments! See you around at the forums!
May 12th, 2008 at 22:11
I think I am going to get Windows Server 2008. It is much faster on the same hardware. Even if it made to look live Windows Vista.
May 14th, 2008 at 23:18
950GMA. Check
Wireless. Check
Sound. Check
1.43GHZ celeron. Check
760mb ram. Check
Stability. Check
Speed. CHECK
Best version of windows ever. Check.
I’m serious - this is incredible. You guys have effectively made publicly available, in my opinion ‘vista 1.5′. In that effectively, this site enables people to use a speedier, more stable version of vista.
Nut it’s not just vista - its an OS in its own right.
So here you go:
My eternal thanks (until 7 ;p).
Thankyou.
Sam
Admin: Great to hear that you enjoy Vista 1.5!
May 21st, 2008 at 0:22
Question, I put all of the options you have listed here in to 2 server 2008 enterprise edition pc’s. every thing works great, but I can not choose the aero option only the vista. and so when switching between windows it dosent spread them across the screen like that. insted their is a little box, listing the screens.
is this due to the video cards I’m using ? as they are not vary big. both have their drivers installed. they are both nvidia.
one is a ge force fx 5200 , 128 bit agp.
the other is a quatro 4 ge force 750 , also 128 mb / 128 bit agp.
any idea’s ?
Admin: I don’t know if it works for Windows Server 2008, but here is an article how to force Windows to use Aero.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:43
Has anyone considered the fact that Vista costs a fraction of the price of 2k8 server?
May 22nd, 2008 at 20:58
I have to say thanks to this site I have just purchased and installed 2K8 server on the three machines in the house. Cost is a big option but buy a multi license from Microsoft and its well worth it. Looking forward to media center and a few others. Keep up the good work!
May 25th, 2008 at 4:09
thank you again
May 28th, 2008 at 6:42
Works perfectly with HP Pavilion k221
Also in 64 bit version!
Only Games are a little bit tricky
July 16th, 2008 at 8:48
@steve: “Has anyone considered the fact that Vista costs a fraction of the price of 2k8 server?”
Has anyone considered the fact that software doesnt have the costs anything?
July 16th, 2008 at 9:01
Having done a quick test of the 2008 beta I was surprised how well my quad core Phenom performed and how stable it was running hyper-v VM’s
It supports DX10 and aero it simply miles ahead of vista64.
cheers
July 16th, 2008 at 13:36
[...] Convert your Windows Server 2008 to a Workstation! Enviado em Windows by snnangola em Julho 16th, 2008 This manual will help you to install Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and to configure your pc so you can use it as a workstation. Thanks to DAz999, you can also download the full manual as a 6MB pdf file from here! If you need any help, don’t hesitate to post your question on the forums. You can watch screenshots of my final Windows Server 2008 workstation here. [...]
July 16th, 2008 at 17:43
What sort of software tests have been done, or does anyone have any advice about software? I use most of the Adobe Suite, firefox, office etc. Have these programs been tested on win 2008?
July 16th, 2008 at 18:39
Windows is windows. You should be able to run Adobe apps on anything that implements the win32 API. There are some installers that will refuse to run on the “wrong” version of Windows but those are easily fixed with a quick registry edit.
July 16th, 2008 at 21:52
@steve: “Has anyone considered the fact that Vista costs a fraction of the price of 2k8 server?”
I got my Enterprise Edition along with a Windows Vista installation for free by attending the New York launch event.
July 16th, 2008 at 21:55
The speed advantages are also there when you turn on every effects and other stuff vista “offers”?
so the enhancement isn’t just coming from turning evering unneeded off?!
July 16th, 2008 at 22:19
@steve: “Has anyone considered the fact that Vista costs a fraction of the price of 2k8 server?”
Too bad you’re neither a Microsoft partner nor a TechNet subscriber. They cost the same in the Action Pack.
Even if I had to buy 2008 Server for $6-700, I’d rather do that and be productive, than let a $1500 system and my valuable time (minimum $150/hr) be wasted by the black hole called Vista!
July 17th, 2008 at 2:27
It’s rather sad that windows has to been tweaked like this to get good performance, but I guess that’s always the way its been.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:55
Haven’t moved to Vista yet, but am considering going the server 2008 instead. On cost, what’s wrong with $140, newegg Microsoft R18-02907 Windows Server CAL 2008 English 1pk DSP OEI 5 Clt User CAL w/Hyper V License (no media, License only) - OEM
July 17th, 2008 at 6:01
@Jack Smack:
Windows Server CAL — CAL is Client Access License, you won’t be licensing the server for $140, sorry, too good to be true!
July 18th, 2008 at 16:53
@Digiguru :
I am running Adobe Dreamweaver CS3, Photoshop CS3 and Audition 3.0 on Server 2008 x64. Had issues installing Office 2007 Professional, but had no issues when installing Office 2003 pro.
July 22nd, 2008 at 13:55
[...] http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/lang/en-us/2008/03/08/final-windows-2008-workstation/ Otra cosa que me ha llamado la atencion de windows 2008 mientras escribia este post, es que la version RTM final, viene con el service pack 1 ya incluido, integrado, no hay parche a parte, es como poner la tirita antes del corte. http://www.abadiadigital.com/noticia2799.html [...]
July 27th, 2008 at 11:39
I personally found s2008 x64 to be way slower than vista x64 while playing two worlds….
Thats the game that i am playing atm so in the process of rolling back to vista now
August 1st, 2008 at 18:57
Hi;
As a student taking courses at the local community college, I was able to obtain server 2008 enterprise datacenter x86 edition. Most of the discussions out there involve the workstation being built on the 64bit edition. Will this work using the x86 edition? I did not know where to get the 64bit edition and download on dial-up - will not work… Thanks
August 13th, 2008 at 23:45
great,great job thanxxx!!!
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:43
Your Tool Crashed my installed Win 2008 completly. If used every button once a time and after restart nothing have any function….
I see the background and couldn´t open the taskmanagaer or any thning else “bluescreen” (background is blue ….)
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:45
problem named APPS CRASHED ….
Gr33tz Aska
ps: not if ^^… I´ve … ^^
September 15th, 2008 at 22:39
Habe mir die Trial-Version des Server 2008 hier einmal auf meinem Laptop und einmal auf meinem PC installiert. Für die beiden VISTA-Business-Lizenzen für die Rechner habe ich viel Geld bezahlt! Auf keinem der Rechner läuft die Business-Version so stabil und schnell, wie Server 2008. Und es laufen alle Anwendungen!
Ist schon interessant, wie MS den Endkunden verarscht!
September 24th, 2008 at 2:22
Thanks for this guide, I used a VLited Ultimate, and still feel 08 is faster by a good bit. Anyways, thanks to the Admin for this, and could you link that wallpaper
Arris: You are welcome!
Unfortunately I don’t have (a link to) this wallpaper anymore. Maybe you can find a good alternative at http://www.interfacelift.com/ or http://www.hdwallpapers.net/!
October 2nd, 2008 at 13:32
@ Nr. 32:
we’re using vista on about 500 clients, reducing daily client crashes over 70%… vista is very stable with a qualified hardware… if you build your house on weak basements, don’t wonder about cracks….
October 11th, 2008 at 3:58
@ Nr. 34:
Mit dem “Haus” Server 2008 knackt nichts auf dem “Fundament” Hardware
Und das nun schon seit knapp 2 Monaten nicht….
October 17th, 2008 at 0:53
Hi guys, check here
http://uneit.com/2008/10/16/exchange-your-windows-vista-keys-for-windows-server-2008-keys/
Nice trade.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:15
As a university student, if you register with Dream Spark, you can get Windows Server 2008 Standard for free. They give you the DL and product key. I activated over the phone and everything went smooth. I actually found a DL of Server Standard x64 and the product key went through for it. So it is literally a free OS for a college student.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:56
hi, how to enable that stuff pictured on the 3rd screenshot? Thanx.