Microsoft might have discontinued the download pages for Windows Vista RTM Enterprise, and Vista Enterprise plus Office 2007, packaged as virtual hard disks, as the bits continue to be available from its servers, the company is now also offering free trial versions of Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise edition. Just as is the case for Vista Enterprise and Windows XP SP2, Microsoft is offering a VHD containing Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise.
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Download
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Free Download
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'This download comes as a pre-configured VHD and helps you evaluate the new features of Windows Server 2003 R2, the most productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the data center,' Microsoft revealed.
In order to test drive the server operating system, users will need a virtualization solution from Microsoft, or products with support for Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) format. The Redmond company is offering both Virtual PC 2007 SP1 and Virtual Server 2005 Enterprise R2 SP1 as free downloads.
'The Microsoft VHD Test Drive Program provides customers with an enhanced server-based software evaluation experience that's faster, better supported and more flexible,' Microsoft added. 'Windows Server 2003 R2 simplifies branch server management, improves identity and access management, reduces storage management costs, provides a rich Web platform.'
Testers will have to allocate no less than 512 MB of RAM and 10GB of hard disk space to the virtual machine on which they will mount the Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise VHD. In this context, Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise will run as a guest operating system in a virtual machine. Currently, the Redmond giant is developing Windows Server 2008 R2, also referred to as Windows 7 Server, in parallel with the Windows 7 Client. Of course that not only Windows Server 2003 free trial downloads are available from Microsoft. Windows Server 2008 can also be test driven in the same manner, with Microsoft offering the actual operating system, and not a pre-configured VHD.
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition VHD is available for download.
-->Windows Server is the platform for building an infrastructure of connected applications, networks, and web services, from the workgroup to the data center.
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Windows Server 2003 Technical Library - download a PDF version of the archived content
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Strengthens the security and reliability of the server, while also dealing with the organizational readiness of its compatibility with Windows Vista, along with the ability to better make use of multi-core computers
A lot of companies rely on servers to centralize their data and to provide all employees easy access to information. However, due to the large amount of confidential files stored on these servers, they can also become targets for hackers.
This is why it is very important for admins to keep the installed software up-to-date, in other words to make sure they always run the latest Service Packs. And in the case of Windows Server 2003, the latest one is SP 2.
Its purpose
Service Pack 2 is meant to strengthen the security and reliability of the server, while also dealing with the organizational readiness of its compatibility with Windows Vista, along with the ability to better make use of sophisticated multi-core computers.
Features brought to the table
First of all, Windows Server 2003 gets new localizations that make it easier to deploy in companies that do not use English as their primary language. The following get supported due to SP 2: German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, and Portuguese (Brazilian).
Service Pack 2 brings numerous enhancements to existing functions and features, such as expanded Windows Server 2003 Datacenter SKUs, performance optimizations under Windows Virtualization, improved discoverability options in MSConfig, increased default storage for Message Queuing or improvements to DCDIAG Domain Name Service tests.
New features are also integrated within SP2, like Scalable Networking Pack (SNP) and XMLLite. SNP was introduced to enable admins to cost-effectively scale network-based apps as well as boost server performance and maximize network throughput. XMLLite is a library that can be used by developers for creating high-performance XML-based apps that support interoperability with other products that adhere to the XML 1.0 standard.
Bottom line
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Download
In order to enjoy the features provided by Service Pack 2 of Windows Server 2003, administrators need to either download and install it onto their servers, or upgrade to an edition that integrates these updates by default (Windows Server 2003 R2 Editions with Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems, Windows Server 2003 Web Edition or Windows XP X64 Professional).
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Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack was reviewed by Giorgiana ArghireMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 Free Download
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This enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data. Disqus privacy policyMicrosoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Download Iso
add to watchlistsend us an update- file size:
- 372 MB
- filename:
- WindowsServer2003-KB914961-SP2-x86-ENU.exe
- runs on:
- Windows 2003
- main category:
- System
- developer:
- visit homepage