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reviewer1464204 - PeerSpot reviewer
GM: Information Systems at a logistics company with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
User friendly and compatible with other solutions
Pros and Cons
  • "The features that I have found most valuable are its ease of use and the compatibility with most other products."
  • "I would definitely like to see bolting monitoring tools. To monitor the server you usually have to install third party tools. I would like to be less reliant on third-party tools. They always create some sort of security issue regarding ports that need to be opened, that type of thing. Windows Server has internally monitorable software but remote monitoring software would be a great add-on."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Windows Server on virtual machines running off-premise.

This operating system for business can be useful for personal documents or any daily or routine stuff.

What is most valuable?

The features that I have found most valuable are its ease of use and the compatibility with most other products.

What needs improvement?

I would definitely like to see bolting monitoring tools. To monitor the server you usually have to install third party tools. I would like to be less reliant on third-party tools. They always create some sort of security issue regarding ports that need to be opened, that type of thing. Windows Server has internally monitorable software but remote monitoring software would be a great add-on.

In the next version I would like to see monitoring tools or maybe an easier way to figure out who were the last people that were working on the server, something that gives me better insights into the actions taken by different users who need to access the server. Our server is definitely not for everybody to access, but even if it had logging installed or activated, it's quite difficult to figure out who did what.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Windows Server for a couple of years.

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Windows Server
April 2025
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Windows Server is definitely scalable.

We have 200 users using it in the network.

How was the initial setup?

I was not part of the initial setup, I'm not part of the technical team. But I know from the people who did install it that it was quite easy.

What other advice do I have?

On a scale of one to ten I would give Windows Server a nine.

I would recommend Windows Server for users who want to start using it.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1491816 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Architect at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Stable, easy to install, and scales well
Pros and Cons
  • "The installation was straightforward and easy."
  • "The performance is good but we have had some issues when we use virtual machines."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Windows Server as an operating platform. It's an Operating system.

We host our products on the Windows Server.

What is most valuable?

The performance is good.

What needs improvement?

While it is easy to use, it could be easier. 

The performance is good but we have had some issues when we use virtual machines. Loading and processing a lot of data leads to memory-related issues. As such, while the performance is good, it could still be improved.

We are using version 2012 and it could be that other versions have improved this feature.

For how long have I used the solution?

We are currently using Windows Server 2012. We have been using this solution for approximately 12 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have no issues with the stability of the Windows Server.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's scalable. I am satisfied with the scalability of this solution.

We don't have plans to increase our usage.

How are customer service and technical support?

We don't deal with Microsoft support directly. Our service team is in contact with them if there is an issue.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, I did not use another solution.

How was the initial setup?

The installation was straightforward and easy.

We have a team of server maintenance and network engineers to maintain this solution.

What about the implementation team?

We had help from the Server team to implement this solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I  would rate Windows Server an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Windows Server
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Windows Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
849,686 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1524594 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Solutions Architect at a manufacturing company with 51-200 employees
Real User
High performance, scalable, and straightforward installation
Pros and Cons
  • "If everything is configured correctly this solution provides high performance. Building a Failover Cluster is comparatively much easier in Windows Server than any of the Linux-based solutions."
  • "They should release a command-line version of the solution."

What is our primary use case?

Windows Server can be used for various mission-critical applications, such as SAP, web servers, SQL databases, and hosting. Various security applications, for example, Symantec or McAfee, all need Windows Servers as the back end to operate. Additionally, this solution can be used to build up a Failover Cluster.

What is most valuable?

If everything is configured correctly this solution provides high performance. Building a Failover Cluster is comparatively much easier in Windows Server than any of the Linux-based solutions.

What needs improvement?

They should release a command-line version of the solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for approximately 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Windows Server is stable. However, there is some maintenance required for smooth operations.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution can easily scale.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward and takes approximately one hour.

What about the implementation team?

If the server environment is large I would advise using an integrator. We have a team that does the maintenance of the solution which is important because it is used for mission-critical applications.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution could improve by changing the licensing model. In Windows Server 2008 they provided two versions, one regular and the other was free with no graphics. In Windows 2012 they stopped providing the free version. They should go back to the previous model and let customers have the choice whether they want to opt for a free version or have the Microsoft supported version or the OEM version.

If you choose Windows Server on-premises, you will receive a perpetual license and there is also a subscription license option. For the cloud version, there are several options available, such as a monthly subscription.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Windows Server a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1740360 - PeerSpot reviewer
ICT and Cyber Security Adviser at a educational organization with 201-500 employees
Real User
Easy to set up and works for any size organization, but needs to be more secure
Pros and Cons
  • "We can scale the solution if we need to."
  • "The performance from time to time can be a bit suspect."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for many things. It's an operating system. We use to run many different application servers like SAP exchanges, and applications in our environment.

What is most valuable?

Overall, we've been happy with the solution. 

The initial setup is pretty simple.

We can scale the solution if we need to.

The stability is decent. 

Technical support has been okay.

What needs improvement?

We're concerned about Windows vulnerabilities and how to manage those vulnerabilities ourselves. These are the main things that are tricky in Windows, the environment. 

The performance from time to time can be a bit suspect. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for quite a long time. It's been something like 20 years or so that I have been using this product.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

To a certain extent, I would say the stability is fine. There aren't bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The product is scalable. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so. It's not a problem.

The size of the company doesn't matter. It works for any size of organization from small to large.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support was okay. We haven't really had any problems with them.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

You do have to pay for licensing of the product. 

What other advice do I have?

We are a customer and an end-user of Microsoft. We do not have any special business relationship with them. 

I'd rate the solution at a seven out of ten. We're mostly happy with its capabilities. 

I would advise potential users to secure it well and keep it up to date. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1665177 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Cloud Architect at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Scalable, highly stable, and easy installation
Pros and Cons
  • "We have been using this solution for a long time and it has been stable."
  • "The solution could improve by being more secure."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Windows Server to run applications.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by being more secure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Windows Server for a couple of years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have been using this solution for a long time and it has been stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

We are using virtualization servers, and on average we have installed approximately 200 servers.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have not needed to contact the support.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

We have two managers doing the maintenance of the solution and a team of five that handles the operations.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is an annual license required for this solution.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Windows Server an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Senior System Administrator at Debre Markos University
Real User
Great tech support and good performance
Pros and Cons
  • "The performance is very good."
  • "The security could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use the 2016 version. 

We use the solution for our applications. 

What is most valuable?

The performance is very good.

What needs improvement?

The security could be improved. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Windows Server for three-and-a-half to four years. 

How are customer service and technical support?

The tech support is great.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Prior to using Windows Server we used DBN. 

What about the implementation team?

I handled the installation on my own. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is a licensing fee. It is possible that the Windows Server OS was built with this server. 

What other advice do I have?

I recommend the solution to others.

I rate Windows Server as a ten out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1489908 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Flexible with easy deployment and good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "We find the solution to be easy to use and simple to navigate."
  • "The solution could be more reasonably priced."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is very useful if the company doesn't want open storage, OS. In those cases, we usually recommend customers to use Microsoft services. Most of the time it's actually the client who gives us advice on what kind of OS they want to use and they will just ask for the quotation. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is very flexible.

We find the solution to be easy to use and simple to navigate. 

The stability is very good.

The security on the server has been great. It's much more secure than, for example, other open-source operating systems.

We find the solution very easy to install. 

Technical support is very helpful.

What needs improvement?

The solution could be more reasonably priced.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been dealing with the solution for a couple of years at this point. It's been a while now. We've had some time with it. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the product is good. The product doesn't crash or freeze and there are no bugs or glitches. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There is no need to scale the solution. It's not the type of solution that really needs to scale.

I'm not sure the exact number of people using the solution. It's my understanding that it's over ten at this time. 

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is very fast when it comes to replying. They were able to solve any issues we raised with them. We're satisfied with their level of service. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not complicated to set up. It's pretty simple and straightforward. A company shouldn't have any issues with the process. 

The deployment process may take about 30 minutes or so, as long as you don't run into any errors.

You only need two technical people to manage the deployment process. You don't need a very big team.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing could be a bit more competitive.

The solution offers a permanent license. You don't have to pay a monthly or yearly subscription. 

What other advice do I have?

We are Windows Server consultants. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. We've been quite satisfied with its capabilities. 

I would recommend the product to other users and companies, especially those that don't want to use an open-source option. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Telecommunication Department Head at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Stable, scalable, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
  • "It is stable and scalable."
  • "It is not easy to use. It can be more user-friendly to make our routine work a bit easy. It could also be cheaper."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for a system that we have in our company. We are using Windows Server 2016.

What is most valuable?

It is stable and scalable.

What needs improvement?

It is not easy to use. It can be more user-friendly to make our routine work a bit easy.

It could also be cheaper.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for four or five years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. We have around 1,000 users.

How are customer service and technical support?

Support is handled by another department.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We didn't use any other solution.

How was the initial setup?

I didn't handle its installation, but based on what I know, it was easy to install.

What about the implementation team?

We install and maintain it with the help of another team in our company. They have three engineers for deployment and maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It could be cheaper. Its licensing is on a yearly basis.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution. I would rate Windows Server an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Windows Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Windows Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.