{"id":26,"date":"2023-02-08T01:08:53","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T01:08:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.winserver.net\/?p=26"},"modified":"2026-10-09T14:59:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T05:59:48","slug":"about_windows_server","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/about_windows_server\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Windows Server and How Is It Different from Linux Server?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Windows Server and what kind of special features does it have?<\/p>\n<p>This article will help you understand how a Windows Server differs from a Linux Server.<\/p>\n<h2>Windows Server Overview<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>A Windows Server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft for managing business networks, applications, data, and IT infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Unlike regular Windows desktop operating systems, a\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Windows Server<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is designed to support multiple users, centralized administration, and enterprise workloads.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>It is commonly used for file sharing, user authentication, application hosting, and managing Windows computers through Active Directory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Advantages of Windows Servers<\/h3>\n<p>Windows Server has following advantages.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The user-friendly interface and operability like Windows desktop OS<\/li>\n<li>Seamless integration with Microsoft products<\/li>\n<li>Client resource management using Active Directory<\/li>\n<li>Industry-leading technical support by Microsoft<\/li>\n<li>Abundant utilization result and high reliability as a server OS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Windows Server has a similar interface and operability to Windows desktop OS, and it is intuitive and <strong>easy-to-use GUI.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Also, many Microsoft products including <strong>SQL Server and IIS<\/strong> are designed to integrate well with Windows servers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Active Directory<\/strong> is one of the biggest features in particular.<\/p>\n<p>Have a sever compatible with these features is a big reason people choose a Windows server over Linux.<\/p>\n<h3>Usage of Windows Servers<\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>Windows Server is commonly used by businesses that need <strong>centralized user management, secure file sharing, and integration with Microsoft applications.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Typical use cases include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><strong><span>Active Directory management:<\/span><\/strong><span> Centralizing user accounts, permissions, and policies across Windows computers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>File servers:<\/span><\/strong><span> Storing and sharing business files across a network.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Web application hosting:<\/span><\/strong><span> Running websites and applications through Internet Information Services (IIS).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Database servers:<\/span><\/strong><span> Hosting applications that use Microsoft SQL Server.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Remote access:<\/span><\/strong><span> Providing remote desktop services and access to business applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Although<strong> ASP.NET Core<\/strong> applications can run on both Windows and Linux, a Windows Server may be preferable when an organization relies on IIS or other Windows-specific components.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0189ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/about_iis\/\" style=\"color: #0189ff;\">What is IIS? Overview, advantages, and precautions<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>The main differences between Windows Server and Linux Server<\/h2>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-1\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-1\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Windows Server<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Linux Server<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">User Interface<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Graphical user Interface, making it easier for non-IT people<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Command line Interface, making it harder for newcomers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Security<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Having more tendency to have hacking attempts and cyber threats<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Highly secure against viral software and cyber threats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Cost<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Proprietary software owned by Microsoft, includes a license fee per user<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Free, opensource software<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-1 from cache -->\n<h3>User Interface<\/h3>\n<p>Windows OS has a user-friendly graphical interface, and it is easy for people to use even if you have no technical knowledge because it is very similar to the user interface of client OS.<\/p>\n<p>Although some Linux distributions have graphical user interfaces, and add-ons are available, Linux is mainly operated through the command line.<\/p>\n<p>There is a learning curve, and it can be hard for new users.<\/p>\n<h3>Security<\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>Both Windows Server and Linux Server can provide strong security when properly configured, updated, and maintained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Windows Server includes security capabilities such as Microsoft Defender, Windows Firewall, BitLocker, and integration with enterprise identity management tools. Secured-core server technology also provides hardware-assisted protection on compatible systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Linux servers offer powerful security mechanisms, including file permissions, SELinux or AppArmor, and granular control over system services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Neither operating system is automatically more secure in every situation. Administrators should regularly install security updates, restrict unnecessary privileges, configure firewalls, and monitor their systems to reduce security risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0189ff;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/sql-server-windows-vps-tokyo-performance\/\" style=\"color: #0189ff;\">SQL Server on Windows VPS in Tokyo: A Practical Tuning Playbook<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Cost<\/h3>\n<p>Windows OS is proprietary software owned by Microsoft and needs a license fee per user.<\/p>\n<p>A Linux server is based on open-source Linux software. This makes it a very budget friendly option for those looking for a cheap-torun-server.<\/p>\n<h2>Windows Server Advantages<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>Windows Server 2025 is Microsoft&#8217;s current major Windows Server release, offering improvements in security, hybrid-cloud management, and enterprise infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Released in November 2024, Windows Server 2025 builds on earlier versions with several important enhancements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>Key improvements include:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li><strong><span>Enhanced Active Directory:<\/span><\/strong><span> Improvements to directory scalability, performance, and management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Hybrid-cloud integration:<\/span><\/strong><span> Greater flexibility for managing Windows Server environments through Azure and Azure Arc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Improved security:<\/span><\/strong><span> Additional protections, including Credential Guard enabled by default on eligible systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong><span>Hotpatching:<\/span><\/strong><span> Eligible Windows Server 2025 systems can receive many security updates without requiring a restart, reducing downtime. Periodic baseline updates still require restarts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Windows Server 2022 remains a supported and relevant option for organizations that do not yet require the latest features.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>As businesses increasingly adopt hybrid-cloud environments, Windows Server continues to support organizations that want to combine traditional on-premises infrastructure with cloud services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0189ff;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/secure-rdp-2025\/\" style=\"color: #0189ff;\">Secure RDP in 2025: Gateway + MFA, No Public 3389<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>A Windows Server is an excellent choice for businesses that rely on Microsoft technologies, individuals who prefer an easy-to-use interface or people who are unfamiliar with using commands. While a Linux Server is often better suited to organizations prioritizing flexibility, open-source software, and lower licensing costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>A Windows Server offers a familiar graphical interface, centralized administration through Active Directory, and close integration with Microsoft applications and Azure cloud services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Linux Server provides extensive customization, a strong open-source ecosystem, and cost-effective hosting options for many web applications and development environments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The best choice depends on your personal requirements, existing infrastructure, technical expertise, and budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>If you are planning to deploy a Windows Server and need a reliable Windows VPS hosting environment, consider taking a look at or plans <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/\" style=\"color: #000000;\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Our team can help you select a suitable VPS plan for your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0189ff;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/why-choose-japan-windows-vps\/\" style=\"color: #0189ff;\">Why Choose a Japan-Based Windows VPS<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"winserver-cta-section\">\n<h2>Looking for a Japan-Based VPS?<\/h2>\n<p>If you regularly access Japanese online services from overseas, a Japan-based VPS gives you a dedicated remote Windows environment hosted in Japan. Compare available plans, resources, and connection options to find a setup that fits your needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"winserver-cta-button-wrapper\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/#pricing\" class=\"winserver-cta-button\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color: #ffffff;\">View Japan VPS Plans<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Windows Server and what kind of special features does it have? This article will help you understand how a Windows Server differs from a Linux Server. Windows Server Overview A Windows Server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft for managing business networks, applications, data, and IT infrastructure. Unlike regular Windows [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1130,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[98,99,97,16,8],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1134,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions\/1134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winserver.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}