Microsoft Windows Server Essential 2019

Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Standard version is great, but sometimes, you might not need that much. If you are a small business with less than 25 users, the Essentials version of Windows Server 2019 could be a better choice. The Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Essentials edition comes with the most crucial features such as running traditional programs, files sharing, and print sharing.

Light and compact
Users of the Essentials version will be provided with a specialty server license, allowing for at least 25 and as much as 50 PCs to connect to the server. The software is available at very affordable price points, making it a great fit for small-scale businesses that just do not have the resources nor the need for cloud-based technology.

That said, there are some new attractions that come with this version, and they will certainly make your business much easier. This compact version will enjoy the continual hardware support and software updates that the other two versions integrate. The accompanying supports include Storage Migration Services and System Insights, among others.

New system configuration
Another thing to take note of is the configuration of the system. If the Server is configured as a domain controller, it is impossible to have another Domain Controller. Windows Server 2019 Essentials will have to be the only Domain controller and will have to take up the roles of all Flexible Single Master Operations. Unfortunately, two-way trusts with other Active Directory domains will be impossible.

Windows Admin Center
Additionally, the traditional application Essentials Experience, made primarily to simplify file sharing and device management within the server, will not be available. All these tasks will now be handled by Windows Admin Center, which is a newer application.

All in all, this is a great software for small businesses whose daily tasks do not include much cloud interaction. The price tag is also a huge charm, as compared to Standard and Datacenter’s steep prices.

Products Activation

If you, like me, have quickly built a new server or VM using the Evaluation download from Microsoft, you will find that when you get your license key and try to plug it in, it won’t work.  You cannot simply use an otherwise valid key on an evaluation copy of Windows Server.

But fret not, the solution is quite simple.  You merely need to run this command from an elevated command prompt:

DISM /online /Set-Edition:<edition ID> /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula 

The Edition ID will be ServerStandard, and then insert your product key.  The server will run through the image conversion process, then restart twice.

After the server has restarted, you will need to re-activate the server and enter the Key in again.

It is important to note that if you’ve used an evaluation edition to build a domain controller, you cannot change the edition.  You will need to either build a new domain controller, or demote the evaluation edition domain controller, set the version id, and then promote it again.

This key can activate ONE windows device, only ONE time. After activation process is done, you will NOT be able to use the same key again. Formatting the hard drive will effectively erase the key. You can NOT transfer the license to other computer