Updated: February 26, 2024 (February 19, 2024)

Windows Server Edition and Deployment Options

Jim leads the Directions on Microsoft editorial team and has been writing about technology since the early 1990s. Most recently... more

	Desktop Experience	Server Core	Physical Host	VM
Standard edition	√	√	√	√
Datacenter edition	√	√	√	√
Azure Edition	√	√	X	√
Annual Channel	X	√	√	√

Windows Server is offered in several editions with varying support for installation modes and deployment on physical hosts or VMs, each with specific use cases. This chart provides a summary comparison of the editions and how they can be deployed.

Installation modes and methods of deployment for Windows Server include the following:

Desktop Experience is the most common method of installation and includes a full Windows desktop graphical user interface (GUI) and compatibility with the widest range of applications.
Server Core is a reduced-size installation of Windows Server focused on infrastructure roles; it provides only a command-line interface and does not include the Windows desktop GUI, but it consumes less disk space and memory than Desktop Experience and offers a reduced footprint and security attack surface.
Physical host deployments include installation

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