Than the original WHS) or any modern NAS appliance. There are many other differences: basically there is a vast array of server and domain controller features that are unnecessary and unwanted in a SOHO environment, and this makes the system more complicated to use than WHS 2011 (which itself was more complex VPN also doesn't work with non-domain joined computers. We never run the Launchpad anymore, meaning we don't see network server notifications.
WINDOWS 2011 SERVER VERSIONS MANUAL
But, unlike WHS 2011, the WSE Launchpad does not permit saving a password, so logging in is a tedious manual step each time. You will no longer be able to connect to network shares without recreating them, or logging into the Launchpad again. For example, logging into the Launchpad on non-domain joined computers trashes any saved domain credentials on the client, and so Most features work fine this way, critically file sharing and client computer backups work fine, but there are some gotchas. Going to 2016 will be similar.įor WSE 2012 R2 it is possible to make a registry change on the client the allows you to skip joining the machine to the domain (I have no idea if Microsoft continues to support this in 2016, but likely so). This allows for a much simpler administrativeĮnvironment, and does not adversely impact family members.
![windows 2011 server versions windows 2011 server versions](https://www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/7484.Restart-warning_01455B5B.png)
I migrated from WHS 2011 to WSE 2012 R2 a couple of years ago in order to get past the various 2TB volume limitations and to take advantage of Storage Spaces.
![windows 2011 server versions windows 2011 server versions](https://www.codetwo.com/admins-blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SBS-to-Office-365-Migration_OG-Image.png)
![windows 2011 server versions windows 2011 server versions](https://10wallpaper.com/wallpaper/1920x1440/1310/Abstract-MAC_OS_X_Mavericks_HD_Desktop_Wallpapers_1920x1440.jpg)
The requirement that WSE be a domain controller coupled with the generally heavier-weight nature of the current Windows Server OS makes this quite an adjustment. There is no direct product replacement for WHS, sadly.