Microsoft has versions of the Windows operating system for computers and for servers. At first glance, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 are similar, but each of the two operating systems has different uses and, of course, different features.
Windows 10 excels in improvements for everyday use, while Windows Server can manage multiple computers, files, and services in parallel.
Windows 10 and Windows Server have similar code
If you were running a clean copy of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, it would be easy to confuse them. They may have the same desktop, the same Start button, and the same task bar. They use the same kernel and can run the same software. You can, for example, install Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Office on both operating systems.
But the similarities end there. Microsoft designed Windows 10 to be used as a desktop for people sitting in front of a computer, while Windows Server, as a server, can run services and applications for people accessing it over a network.
Although Windows Server has a desktop, Microsoft recommends installing the operating system without a graphical user interface (or removing it), leaving only a command line. This reduces the resources required to run the server.
So the operating system lets you choose to run Nano Server, which lacks a GUI and local login capabilities to use much less space than a regular Server installation.
Windows Server has server software
If you enable the graphical interface (GUI), immediately after opening Windows Server, a Server Management program is launched that displays the first distinct difference between the two operating systems.
From this panel, you can add server functions such as Windows Deployment services, DHCP services, and Active Directory Domain Services. These features allow you to remotely install an operating system on other machines, create static IP addresses for client computers, control a network domain to add other computers to a domain, and create users per domain.
The above features are not available for Windows 10, although you could install them with some third-party software like Apache.
Windows Server also supports features like SMB Direct for faster file sharing, better support for the Resilient File System. You can only get these features with a server or if you use Windows 10 Pro for Workstations.
Servers are designed to work in combination as well, so you might have one server fulfilling one or two of the above roles and another server taking on other roles for the same overall project.
Windows Server supports superior hardware
Windows Server supports more powerful hardware. Windows 10 Pro, for example, has a maximum memory limit of 2 TB of RAM, while Windows Server allows up to 24 TB. A typical user is unlikely to use that much RAM, but servers need it to manage more users, computers, and possibly VMs via Hyper-V.
Windows 10 also has a limit on processors. The Windows 10 Home supports only one physical CPU, while Windows 10 Pro supports two. Windows Server 2016 supports up to 64 sockets. Similarly, a 32-bit copy of Windows 10 supports only 32 cores, and the 64-bit version supports 256 cores. Windows Server has no limit on cores.
To get a little closer to these capabilities, you should use Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, which supports 4 CPUs and 6 TB of RAM.
Windows Server is locked down
Windows Server has stripped out many of the Windows features. You won't find the Cortana, the Microsoft Store, Edge , or Timeline. Instead of Edge, Windows Server still uses Internet Explorer, and it's locked down to prevent normal web browsing. If you want to use Google Chrome, you'll need to add multiple exceptions for multiple Google URLs to complete the download.
Windows Server doesn't support signing in with a Microsoft account, so you can't transfer your settings to another computer. So you'll need to sign in with a local account or a domain account.
Windows 10 Home finally has a feature to pause updates, while Windows Server can disable updates entirely via Group Policy (as can Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows LTSB).
Windows 10 has more features like Your Phone, Progressive Web Apps, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Some of these features rely on the Microsoft Store, which Windows Server doesn't have access to at all.
Windows Server is more expensive
If you have Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 keys, you can still install Windows 10 for free. Windows Server 2016 licenses are very expensive because they are aimed at professionals and businesses.
Depending on the size of your business, a single license can cost from $500 to $6200.
