Today, Vultr is pleased to announce three updates to our Windows support: Windows Server Core (without Desktop Experience), Windows Server 2022, and Windows License Mobility.
Why choose Windows Server Core?
Available today, you can now select Windows Server Core (without Desktop Experience) as an option when deploying Windows Server on your Vultr cloud compute or bare metal instances. Microsoft actually recommends the Windows Server Core option unless you have a specific need for the additional user interface and graphical management tools that come with the Desktop Experience. With a more streamlined install, it takes up less disk space and memory and has a smaller potential attack surface to malware and other attacks than a Windows Standard install with Desktop Experience. It is also potentially easier to manage and keep up-to-date.
Basically, if you are comfortable managing your cloud or bare metal Windows instance with the command line, Windows PowerShell, or by remote methods, then you should select a Windows Server Core install. It’s important to remember that you can’t switch or convert your installation between Server Core and Server with Desktop Experience, so make sure you are making the right decision when you deploy.
Windows Server 2022 now available
Windows Server 2022 is also available today for deploying to your Vultr cloud compute or bare metal instances, joining previously available Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019. Windows Server 2022 has a particular focus on improved security, hybrid cloud use-cases, and scalability. Learn more about Windows Server 2022 here.
Microsoft License Mobility
Finally, we are pleased to announce that Vultr (through Vultr’s parent company, The Constant Company, LLC) is now a Microsoft Authorized Mobility Partner. Vultr customers can now leverage Microsoft License Mobility through Software Assurance. Customers can bring their own eligible Microsoft licenses under this agreement and deploy to the Vultr Cloud after completing their license verification form and receiving verification from Microsoft. As an authorized mobility partner of Microsoft, Vultr can assist Microsoft Volume Licensing customers to deploy their dedicated application server workloads using License Mobility through Software Assurance. Learn more about how to take advantage of Microsoft License Mobility here.
Get Started with Windows on Vultr Today
Vultr is proud to support Microsoft developers with first class support for deploying Windows on Vultr Cloud Compute and Bare Metal instances. In fact, Vultr is pretty unique in doing this, as neither DigitalOcean or Linode offer Windows support. Deploy a Windows instance now on Vultr.