Windows Versions
Windows Server 2012 The current release of Microsoft operating system for Servers. Comes in Essentials, Standard Server, and Datacenter editions. Essentials limits the number of users, and has built in licenses for that number. We recommend Standard Server because it gives virtualization rights (you can run up to 2 other operating systems on the one physical server).
Windows 8 Microsoft's attempt to unify PC's Notebook, table, and phone interfaces under one "operating system". The start menu has been replaced by tiles, and it takes a bit of learning become accustomed and proficient at using Windows 8, but once you get used to it is has many good features. Microsoft has released a free 8.1 upgrade that fixes many of the issues and adds a few new features. We strongly recommend users on Windows 8 upgrade to 8.1
Windows 7 The "replacement" for Windows Vista, but this time it was done right and Windows 7 we predict will be a big winner. Easy to use, with user friendly features. Its what Vista was supposed to be. In Windows 7 Microsoft has finally gotten the server and Desktop drivers to be common. Available in 32 and 64 bit operating systems, this will be the start of the mainstream change to 64 bit computing.
Windows 2011 Small Business Server Windows 2011 Small Business Server was a combination of the Windows 2008 server that was previously used with the new Exchange 2010 mail server included. Windows Small Business Server 2011 is the last of the Small Business lines. Retail sales ended in Dec 2013. Microsoft is pushing users to migrate their mail to their Office 365 offering. While they still offer their Exchange Mail server, the licensing, support, and hardware costs make it difficult for small businesses (under 50 users) to justify.
Windows 2008 Server Family Similar to the Windows 2003 server it continues to mature and provide easier setup and use, and at the same time increasing the security of the operating system.
Windows 2008 Small Business Server Another leap ahead in easy to use Server Technology for small business.
Windows Vista The upgrade from Windows XP had a lot of growing pains. A lack of drivers along with higher hardware requirements made this operating system one that many users skipped. Service Pack 1 resolved many of the issues, but the damage had been done.
Windows 2003 Server Windows 2003 server builds on Windows 2000 and adds greater salability for larger organizations.
Windows 2003 Small Business Server Windows 2003 Small Business Server is intended for organizations up to 75 users. It combines a Files Server with an e-mail Server (MS Exchange) and gives small business the features that large organizations with dedicated IT staff have.
Windows XP The merging of the Office and Home platforms, there are 2 version of Windows XP, Home and Professional. The main difference has to do with the network capability. The Home Edition cannot join a DOMAIN, and is limited to sharing to a maximum of 5 other computers. Windows XP Professional does not have those limits. Last Service Pack was version 3. Going off of Microsoft Support in April of 2014. Despite it going off support, it is still the second most used operating system in the world (as of Jan 2014)
Windows 2000The Corporate follow up to Windows NT, Windows 2000 provides many additional features including support for a greater variety of devices. For example Windows NT does not support USB while Windows 2000 does. Windows 2000 comes in a "Professional" version for the desktop, and several Windows 2000 Server configurations. Currently Outdated.
Windows NT Windows NT was Microsoft's big push into the corporate Desktop. The Server version of Windows NT broke Novell's dominance and Microsoft has continued to gain market share since then. While support is being phased out, many Windows NT system continue to operate today. For corporate servers it is stable and provides the necessary security. Currently Outdated.
Windows ME A home version upgrade that never was regarded as being as stable as the earlier Windows 98SE. Many people who purchased new system with this Operating system "downgraded" to Windows 98SE. Currently Outdated.
Windows 98 & Windows 98SE These version brought Windows into the mainstream. They were easy to use and allowed Windows to take over the desktop. Windows 98SE provided additional drivers and connectivity. You can use USB with Windows 98SE but not with the earlier Windows 98. Currently Outdated.
Windows for Workgroup This was the first "workable" solution for Windows. It was built fully on DOS, but could be easily networked. It was actually Windows Version 3.11, with the earlier 2 versions were not commercially successful. Currently Outdated.