Windows Server Solution Center

Key Resources

Windows Server 2008 R2 Product Home Page
Visit the Windows Server 2008 R2 Home Page for product information, trial software, purchasing options, technical resources and more.

Windows Server Tech Center on TechNet for IT-Professionals
The Windows Server Tech Center is the primary resource for IT-Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Windows Server Developer Center on MSDN for Developers
The Windows Server Developer Center is the primary resource for Developers seeking resources to help you create and manage business communications utilizing Windows Server.

Got a question? Post a question in the Windows Server Forums
Ask a question in the Windows Server Forums. Most questions answered in 24 hours or less.

Top Solutions

Top solutions for particular features and topics related to Windows Server.

Microsoft Automated Troubleshooting Services

Internet Explorer freezes or crashes
Automatically diagnose and identify browser add-ons that may cause Internet Explorer to become unstable, to crash, or to stop responding. Browser add-ons may include tools, toolbars, assistants, and toys.

Video freezes or crashes in Internet Explorer or Windows programs
Automatically diagnose and identify codecs that may cause Windows to become unstable or to stop responding. Windows uses codecs to allow users to view digital audio and video streams in Windows, Internet Explorer, and media players.

Ask the Community

Post a question in the Windows Server forums
Ask a question in the Windows Server Forums. Most questions answered in 24 hours or less.

Downloads

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Download the SP1 Release Candidate (RC) software and begin testing today. To download and install the SP1 RC software, you must currently be running Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Trial Software
Evaluate Windows Server 2008 R2 free for 180 days. Download the trial software for a guided experience where you will receive periodic information on adoption, migration, and deployment.

Windows Server 2008

Obtain Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
Service Pack 2 (SP2) is an update to Windows Server 2008 that incorporates improvements discovered through automated feedback, as well as updates that have been delivered since SP1.

Release notes from Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2
These release notes address late-breaking issues and information related to Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Other Downloads

Obtain the Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool
A blocking tool is available for organizations that would like to temporarily prevent installation of Service Pack updates through Windows Update.

Upgrading

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
Assess your current IT infrastructure and determine the right Microsoft technologies for your IT needs.

Guide for upgrading to Windows Server 2008
This document contains information about upgrading to the Windows Server 2008 operating system including how to upgrade, supported scenarios, frequently asked questions, and known issues about the upgrade process.

Known issues when upgrading to Windows Server 2008
This document provides known solutions to issues you may experience after you upgrade to Windows Server 2008.

Application Considerations When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008
This document contains the information that you need if you have line-of-business (LOB) or non-Microsoft applications and you are upgrading to the Windows Server 2008 operating system.

Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2
This document describes the changes in functionality of features and technologies from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Guide for upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2
This document outlines supported and unsupported upgrade paths for Windows Server 2008 R2 SKUs.

Activation

How to troubleshoot Volume Activation error codes on Windows Server 2008
This article discusses how to troubleshoot Activation error codes.

Windows Volume Activation
Learn about the concepts, capabilities, and recommended best practices that can help you manage the activation of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 in an enterprise environment.

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010
Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP.

Migration

Migrating Server Roles to Windows Server 2008 R2
By using migration guides linked to on this to migrate roles, you can simplify deployment of new servers, reduce migration downtime, increase accuracy of the migration process, and help eliminate conflicts that could otherwise occur during the migration process

Server Manager Step-by-Step Guide
This step-by-step guide provides an overview of Server Manager and walkthroughs of several common scenarios for using Server Manager in your enterprise, focusing on new and enhanced features of Server Manager.

Migrating DHCP to a Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2 Step-by-Step Guide
This guide describes the process of migrating a clustered DHCP server to a cluster running Windows Server 2008 R2.

Hyper-V: Using Live Migration with Cluster Shared Volumes in Windows Server 2008 R2
This guide details the steps required to perform a live migration of Hyper-V virtual machines from one node in a Windows Server 2008 R2 failover cluster to another node.

Migrating Settings to a Failover Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2
This article provides information about migrating settings to a failover cluster running Windows Server 2008 R2.

Interoperability

Microsoft Server Applications Supported on Windows Server 2008
This page shows the support policy for running Microsoft server software, desktop applications and technologies running on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Windows Server 2008 Interoperability
Learn more about Windows Server 2008 R2 interoperability.

Application Compatibility

Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) Version 5.5
The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) you to tell whether applications are compatible with a new version of the Windows operating system.

Application Compatibility Web Page on TechNet
Get tools and resources to reduce the time, cost, and complexity of addressing application compatibility.

Microsoft Server Applications Supported on Windows Server 2008 R2
This page shows the support policy for running Microsoft server software, desktop applications and technologies running on Windows Server 2008 R2.

ISV Application Readiness and Certification
Visit the ISV Application Readiness and Certification page

Application Compatibility Resources for IT Professionals and Developers
Find out if your application is compatible with Windows 2008 R2.

Hyper-V and Failover Clustering

Hyper-V: Using Live Migration with Cluster Shared Volumes in Windows Server 2008 R2
This guide details the steps required to perform a live migration of Hyper-V virtual machines from one node in a Windows Server 2008 R2 failover cluster to another node.

Migrating Settings to a Failover Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2
This article provides information about migrating settings to a failover cluster running Windows Server 2008 R2.

Hyper-V: Using Hyper-V and Failover Clustering
This guide walks you through the steps required to set up Hyper-V and the Failover Clustering feature to use these two technologies together.

Overview of Failover Clusters
This article provides an overview of failover clusters (formerly known as server clusters).

Migrating Settings to a Failover Cluster Running Windows Server 2008 R2
Learn more about the process of migrating to a cluster running Windows Server R2.

Direct Access

DirectAccess for Windows Server 2008 R2
Find resources for Direct Access at TechNet

Direct Access Early Adopters Guide
This document introduces DirectAccess concepts, defines new terms, explains requirements for installation, discusses how to design a DirectAccess deployment architecture, and then steps you through installation for Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate (RC).

Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services Team Blog
Read the latest posts from the Microsoft Desktop Services Team

Performance Team Blog on Remote Desktop Services
Read the latest posts from the Performance Team on Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2
Learn more about Remote Desktop Services in Windows Server 2008 R2

Terminal Services
Learn more about Terminal Services

Security Resources

Changes to Web Enrollment
This article describes the changes that have been made to certificate Web enrollment support in the Windows 2008 operating system.

Monitor and troubleshoot the health of all certificate authorities with the Enterprise PKIView tool
The Enterprise PKI provides a view of the status of your network's PKI environment.

AppLocker Step-by-Step Guide
This step-by-step guide provides the instructions that you need to set up AppLocker in a test lab environment.

Microsoft Security Home Page
For the latest in Computer security, Microsoft security updates, tools for IT-Professionals and more visit the Microsoft Security home page.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center
The Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog provides a real-time method for the Microsoft Malware Response Center to communicate with customers. Topics include day-to-day, “behind the scenes” information about new, emerging and interesting malware threats as well as other research topics in the computer security field.

Security: What's New for Security in Windows Server 2008 R2
This article provides an overview of new and changed security-related features in Windows Server 2008 R2.

IT-Professionals: Visit the Security TechCenter on TechNet
The Security TechCenter is the primary resource for IT-Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Windows Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Blog
Read the latest posts on the Windows PKI blog on Microsoft TechNet.

HPC Server

Key Resources

Windows HPC Server Product Page
Visit the Windows HPC Server Home Page for product information, trial software, purchasing options, technical resources and more.

Try it Now: Windows HPC Server 2008 R2
Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite evaluation version is available now.

Try it Now: Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition
Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition evaluation version is available now.

Windows HPC Server Tech Center on TechNet for IT Professionals
The Windows HPC Server Tech Center is the primary resource for IT Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Technical Library
Visit the HPC Server 2008 R2 library on TechNet for resources on evaluating, getting started with, deploying, cluster administration, security and Excel services for HPC Server 2008 R2, as well as technical and developer resources.

Community

Post a Question or Search for Answers in the Windows HPC Server Forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the Windows HPC Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Windows HPC Team Blog
Stay up-to-date on the latest news from the Windows HPC Team.

Server Role Technology pages on Windows Server Tech Center

These pages provide featured resources, product evaluations and other technical references for each Server Role Technology

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)

Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)

Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)

Application Server

Availability and Scalability

DHCP Server

DNS Server

Hyper-V

Network Policy and Access Services

Print and Document Services

Streaming Media Services

Remote Desktop Services

UDDI Services

Web Server

Windows Deployment Services

Ask the Community

Got a question? Post a question in the Windows Server Forums
Ask a question in the Windows Server Forums. Most questions answered in 24 hours or less.

Blogs

TechNet IT-Professional Community Home Page
Browse Microsoft Professional Community blogs.

Microsoft Malware Protection Center
The Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog provides a real-time method for the Microsoft Malware Response Center to communicate with customers. Topics include day-to-day, behind the scenes information about new, emerging and interesting malware threats as well as other research topics in the computer security field.

Community

Search the Knowledge Base
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues with Microsoft Windows Server

Got a question? Post a question in the Windows Server Forums
Ask a question in the Windows Server Forums. Most questions answered in 24 hours or less

IT-Professionals: Windows Server TechCenter on TechNet
The Windows Server TechCenter is the primary resource for IT-Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Developers: Windows Server Developer Center
The Windows Server Developer Center is the primary resource for Developers seeking resources to help you create and manage business communications utilizing Windows Server.

Microsoft Premier Customers
Enterprise customers with a premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Pay Per Incident Support

To contact a Microsoft Support Professional by e-mail, on-line or phone click on the product and version below that is applicable to you. We’ll ask you a few questions in order to serve you efficiently.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2003 R2

Windows Server 2003 Compute Cluster Edition

Windows 2000

All other products

Contract Incident Support

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN Subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Premier customers
Enterprise customers with a premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can access unlimited online support via the Microsoft Partner Network.

Get volume licensing with Microsoft Software Assurance
Get volume licensing and additional benefits with the Microsoft Software Assurance program.

Additional Support Options

Microsoft Pinpoint
Connect with thousands of Microsoft Certified companies to find products and services.

Support Policies

Support for Windows 2000 ends of July 13, 2010 – Visit the End-of-Life Solution Center
The Windows 2000 End-of-Lifecycle Solution Center is a starting point for planning your migration strategy from Windows 2000 to a newer Windows operating system.

The Microsoft Support Policy for Windows Server 2008 Failover Clusters
This article describes the Microsoft Support Policy for Windows Server 2008 Failover Cluster implementations.

Support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software
This article describes the support policy for Microsoft software running in non-Microsoft hardware virtualization software.

View Support Lifecycle Information

Microsoft Product Support Lifecycle Policy page

Windows Server 2008 R2 (All Editions)

Windows Server 2008 (All Editions)

Windows Server 2003 R2 (All Editions)

Windows Server 2003 (All Editions except Computer Cluster Edition)

Windows Server 2003 Compute Cluster Edition

All other products