Windows 10: Removing windows server essentials experience from Windows Server 2016 server

secgeek · Mar 17, 2021

I have a Windows Server 2016 Standard which was previously a Windows Essentials 2016 running in a HyperV role. Can I safely remove the Windows Server Essentials Experience function without breaking anything?

I have the same question for one of my virtual servers which is currently running a BDC, DNS, Certificate Server, File server, - and is using a Windows Server Essentials license.

Please don't point that I need to clean-up the environment I realize that - it was inherited. I also need to get max utilization of the licenses I have which are 1 Standard and 1 Essentials; per my understanding one Standard license can support a HyperV, a DC and one functional Server and I should be able to have 1 DC and 1 functional server with the Essentials license.

Thank you Microsoft for making our life complicated with your licensing.

Thanks

:)

RobinAtkinson1 · Mar 17, 2021

Windows Server 2016 Essentials upgrade to Windows Server 2016 Standard

I had an OEM version of Windows Server 2016 Essentials installed.

I wanted to use Remote Desktop for 3 users, which essentials cant do.

I have installed an evaualtion of Windows Server 2016 Standard, and have got 3 users remote connecting to the server to run an accounting application.

Thats fine, i have purchased 3 cals for Windows Remote Desktop Services.

My question.

Can i upgrade from 2016 Essentials (which i bought) to Windows Server 2016 Standard, or do i have to buy a new Server 2016 license?

Cheers,

Robin

KrešimirMišak · Mar 17, 2021

Windows Server 2016 - Configure Windows Server Essentials Fails

Purchased a new server and Windows Server 2016 Essentials to be an app server running on Hyper-V. Install and joining a domain went
ok until the Configure Windows Server Essentials wizard ran. Few seconds after starting the wizard I got an error "Configuration encountered some issues" and the full message "Please restart the server, and then run the configuration wizard again. If the issue
still exists please refer to the help link for more troubleshooting steps."

Did a restart and still the same.

The link is worthless (taking me to a page "Troubleshooting information that is related to a Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials installation is currently not available")

On Google found many users with similar problems but none of the sugestions worked for me ( 'Log on as a service' -even added
the needed accounts and making sure they were configured as indicated; new user with admin rights, local security policy added the needed users, ...)

If there is no resolution for this wizard, can I just remove the role and in registry remove the entry to run this wizard at startup? Or leave the role and ignore the wizard?

Can I move forward with installing the needed apps(SQL, ...) on the server (because manually renaming, joining the domain, fix IP adress went ok) or this wizard is for configuring something else?

Brink · Mar 17, 2021

Windows Server 2019 Essentials update

For more than a decade the Windows Server team has been releasing Windows Server editions tailored to meet the needs of small business environments. Windows Server 2016 Essentials is the current in-market edition of Windows Server made for small business and is available for companies with up to 25 users.

As we started working on next version, Windows Server 2019, we looked closely on the impact of recent technology trends on small business customers. We observed that cloud computing, in addition to affecting how large enterprises think about their datacenters, is also impacting how small companies are planning their IT services. For example, we have Microsoft 365 Business that is easier to acquire, integrate with other cloud services, and is particularly effective in environments that do not have full-time IT staff. Especially, capabilities that small businesses need, like file sharing and collaboration are best achieved with a cloud service like Microsoft 365.

Furthermore, we recently collaborated with the MVP community and other influencers to listen and get a deeper understanding of the transition that our small business customers are going through. While our small business customers are embracing cloud services where they can, on-premises servers are still valuable and desired in the short term for reasons such as price and ability to run traditional applications that may not yet have corresponding cloud-based functionality.

All of this led to our decision to offer yet another version of on-premises server for small businesses – Windows Server 2019 Essentials. This edition will be released along with the other editions of Windows Server 2019 later this year. There is a strong possibility that this could be the last edition of Windows Server Essentials.

Windows Server 2019 Essentials will have the same characteristics as the 2016 version that small business look for:

Single license that includes Client Access Licenses (CAL) for up to 25 users/50 devices

Lower price point

Ability to run traditional applications and other features, such as file and print sharing

What’s in Windows Server 2019 Essentials

Windows Server 2019 Essentials has the same licensing and technical characteristics as its predecessor, Windows Server 2016 Essentials. If configured as a Domain Controller, Windows Server 2019 Essentials must be the only Domain Controller, must run all Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles, and cannot have two-way trusts with other Active Directory domains.

Windows Server 2019 Essentials includes the new hardware support and features and improvements like Windows Server 2019 Standard, including Storage Migration Services, System Insights, and many more.

Windows Server 2019 Essentials will not include the Essentials Experience role. The Essentials Experience primarily simplified file sharing and device management. For a better management experience, we now have Windows Admin Center.

Looking ahead

First and foremost, customers currently using Windows Server 2016 Essentials will be supported according to Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) servicing timeline.

For companies with more than 25 users/50 devices, or companies that have potentially grown beyond 25 users, Windows Server 2019 Standard – and potentially the Datacenter edition – can provide more flexible deployment options.

Finally, we highly recommend our small customers to consider Microsoft 365 as an option for their file sharing and collaboration needs. Microsoft 365 provides a complete, intelligent solution, including Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security. Microsoft 365 Business includes a richer feature set including Office, e-mail and calendaring, file storage in the cloud, data protection, and so much more, allowing our small customers to evolve their business and achieve new levels of productivity.

We will continue to listen to our customers and provide solutions that meet their small business needs.
Click to expand...

Source: Windows Server 2019 Essentials update Windows Server Blog

Windows 10: Removing windows server essentials experience from Windows Server 2016 server

Removing windows server essentials experience from Windows Server 2016 server

Removing windows server essentials experience from Windows Server 2016 server

Removing windows server essentials experience from Windows Server 2016 server

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