Microsoft Server 2016 Essentials 2CPU

I have been running WHS 2011 since it first came out. It had worked well for me, but hate that Microsoft abandoned it so quick. I had been experiencing just more annoying issues with WHS2011, so I started looking for newer software. I am in in no means an IT guy. set up wasn't too complicated, but it is worth while watching some youtube videos, especially about not setting up a domain on client computers as that was something I didn't really need for my home use. There is a registry edit instructions that I found online that skips having your client computers added to the domain as part of the client software set up. this worked great, I now just have the connector app on my clients like WHS2011 and backups and file access. I haven't taken the time to set up my drive pool, i just added my old hard disks and was able to keep all the data. I do use my server mainly for media and back up use. I do have a Hauppauge quad tuner installed and running plex, so it serves as my DVR as well and no software issues with WSE2016. Since the upgrade, plex loads recorded shows and movies much faster. this is likely the additional RAM that WSE2016 utilizes where WHS2011 capped at 8gb, I have 16bg installed as I re-purposed an older desktop PC - 3rd gen I5.

I was awere of the fact as numerous others warned me about that. However, I though if I would be careful, at least I would be able to read many numbers.Alas! they were right! The product code is impossible to read.The process of scratching peels of the letters, no matter how careful you are. Please do not buy this painful DVD with impossible to scratch.Finally, I tried all numbers/alphabets -- there were two places where my guess was wrong, but after an hour, the Windows 2016 accepted the product code!

It definitely is an improvement over the previous versions, it is much friendlier although you still need the necessary knowledge to "tweek" it's many options... Installation went well, no glitches...

This version of Windows server is for very specific users, it is very configurable to suit your needs I’m sure but just as a plain old server it’s a bit of a pain as it requires active directory to be installed.

I did my initial install with an 180 day trial of MS Win Server Essentials 2016 downloaded from TechNet. I almost did not buy the license from Amazon due to all the fuss about the scratch off covering the key. I decided to proceed because Microsoft has been using these codes for some time now without issue. I used a quarter like I always do, scratched off the gray material and revealed the code. No problems, code is very clear. I do not intend to belittle or dismiss all the fuss about this method used by Microsoft, but I did not have any issue.The code worked to activate the trial into a licensed copy.Speaking directly to the Essentials version, I've found it to be quite useful for the small business I set it up for. The dashboard feature makes it quite easy to create users and add devices. When you need a little more control, Essentials still contains the traditional management tools that you may have used in versions of server dating back to 2003 (the last version of server that I had extensive experience using).

Easy to load on my new server and set up. I still think the interface could be easier, more like Win10. Also wish the backup module had more options and some sort of desktop notification that BU was done.

The COA/Product Key sticker came with a gray sticker covering it that was very hard to remove. It ended up making a some of the characters in the product key illegible and I had to guess them over and over until it worked.

I was running the 180 day trial version from Microsoft and wanted to get a full license. Unlike others I had no problems revealing the product code. Used a credit card and gently scraped it off. There was 2 heavy ridges left behind that covered a few character but these only required slightly more force to remove. All characters were clear and readable, activation was successful without drama.Anyone looking to these reviews already knows what this software is about. For me it is my upgrade from Windows Home Server 2011 but without all the limitations that Microsoft placed on the Home Server SKU's. Much higher ram limit, 2 cpu's and all the roles/services unlocked. Great software that pairs well with Windows 7/10 Pro for all that active directory goodness.

I purchased this product as I am looking to update my Microsoft systems administration skills and I built a server to use at home, this was the operating system and for this purpose it is perfect. The Essentials edition is in affect what used to be called Small Business Server (unfortunately it no longer comes with Exchange Server as part of it), however it does have a range of features that would be good for a small business or a home build for certification study, these are; Domain Controller, DHCP Server, DNS Server, Hyper V Virtualisation for a guest OS (limited to 1 guest in this edition - still useful though, I run Zorin Linux on mine), File Server, Print Server and Web Server. If you have built a server that meets the recommended requirements you can easily run all of these functions on the one machine so it can do a lot for a single Server. For my purposes it has been perfect and only loses a star for Exchange not being included (Microsoft's decision). The vendor I brought this from was quick to despatch and the DVD and license key were 100% genuine and worked flawlessly (no used key issues here). In my view it is worth the money to buy a genuine OEM copy and being on DVD the installation is very simple and pain free.