Using Windows Server 2008 As A Desktop Operating System

When I installed my new machine I considered installing Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V. But this my desktop not my server and I like desktopy things on my desktop and I don't need virtual machines running all the time, I thought Windows Vista plus Virtual PC 2007 (although x64 support on virtual machines would be nice) would be the right choice.

Yesterday I was trying the Developer Interface from InnerWorkings and I couldn't get it to work because Internet Explorer kept popping up Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration errors from the InnerWorkings' Visual Studio add-in which blocked Visual Studio.

I know Rui uses Windows Server 2008 as his laptop operating system (as well as António) and I asked Rui how I could get rid of Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration. Rui pointed me to this blog posts:

• Using Windows Server 2008 as a SUPER workstation OS
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience IV - Configuring IE ESC

Looking through Systweak's series of posts about the Windows Server 2008 Desktop (see below) almost made me regret having installed Windows Vista instead of Windows Server 2008. But my next laptop will definitely be running on Windows Server 2008.

Windows Server 2008 Desktop

• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Experience
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience II
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience III
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience IV - Configuring IE ESC
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience V - Using Windows Search Service
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience VI - Enabling Windows Vista Aero Theme
• Windows Server 2008 Desktop Evaluation Experience VII - Use Easy Passwords and Logon Tweaks