what is the reason to run a server OS as a workstation especially when you disable all the server components. Now you have Windows 7 not Server 2008 R2, they are both on the same build tree it makes no sense to use Server 2008 R2 as a client OS. Not to mention a lot of stuff in your post above is just dead wrong in terms of enabling and disabling things in GPOs and local security policies. Like I said you gain nothing but using the server OS as a client when they are built on the same kernel and both are developed at the same time.
I have done that with Server 2003, as well as 2008... It is always the case that 2003 was faster than XP, and 2008 was faster than Vista - keeping all SP / variants the same... Even though Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 are built on the same base, I would still suspect that Server R2 will be faster than Windows 7 - don't ask me how / why! Try searching for Server 200x as Workstation, there are detailed articles, and tools that let you do that - as well as explain why the Server version is faster than the Client- Even if used as a Workstation...
True ph03n!x I always said that W2K3 was the best desktop OS MS produced (it probably will now be W2K8 R2) - we only need R2 OEM key.... sebus
Exactly. The performance difference between Win XP (5.1) and Server 2003 (5.2) was huge - Server 03 flew on the same hardware! I tried Vista and 2k8 on the same (literally) PC too, and Server 08 was even better. Let me test Server 08 R2 sometime.. I hope even that will live it up to the speed expectations.
Not this old chestnut again. While there clearly was a difference between XP x86 and SVR2K3 x86 due to the OS's using different kernals. As HSChronic has said, theres is no advantage to running SVR2K3 x64 over XP x64, SVR2K8 over Vista or SVR2K8 R2 over Windows 7. What you guys are noticing is the fact that all the 'features' (read as resouce hogs) added to the 'Desktop' OS to make things easier or prettier for noobies is either been turned off or removed by default in the 'Server' OS. If your in any doubt about this, test it for yourself: Run SVR2K8 with all the Vista services and features turned on. Or run Vista with only the default SVR2K8 services and features. (do this test using the same PC) I haven't bothered testing SVR2K8 R2 and Windows 7, as both are still in Beta. Plus I don't think anything would have changed, as your still using the same 'Kernal' with the same 'Drivers' on the same 'Hardware' But then again what would I know, as i'm not l33t because I haven't cracked my Beta OS.
I know There has always been two sides for this story too... And i am on the server side - yes, I have run Server 08 as 'Vista' a la as a desktop OS with Aero, and all the services that gives its look, feel and functionality - and guess what, you will find it snappier and faster in Server 08, more so if you run it for 6 months or a year (Or more, without restarting - I have!)- and all of us know that Vista will crawl with time, especially if left running continuously. Call me a fanboy, but I would probably be running Server 08 R2 RTM *as* a desktop OS - with Win7 look, feel and functionality. Will post it here if I change my opinion that the Server lines are faster (I was running Server 08 with Vista's look n feel et all, until Win 7 6801 jumped out of the bag!)
Hey ph03n!x, Just out of interest do have Sidebar/Gadgets hack runing on your Workstation ? If so, is it as much of a resouce hog ?
@ph03n!x, Thanks for info. I support a Hyper-V Server and was thinking of switching it to SVR2008, as the GUI and one or two gadets could save me alot of trouble. Maybe i'll wait till R2 and see how the Windows 7 'Gadgets' run once its ported over.