[easygenes]

I agree, but will add that you can avoid most of the consumer-focused adware junk by just installing Windows Server 2022. E.G., it is compulsory that the first account is a local account named "Administrator". Overall, it is a very minimal default install, with the focus being on reducing the attack surface.

[irusensei]

According to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/pricing a license costs 500 dollars. Linux is free as in beer and MacOS is a free complementary feature if you have the proper hardware.

[_chu1]

Windows is free. I refuse to believe you actually pay or have paid for it before. Mac is free sure, only with the purchase of a $100000k MacBook.

[easygenes]

Yeah, if cost is a matter, then Linux always wins. Just saying if you really need Windows, there's an option that's not adware still. It is also the same as the consumer editions in that the only limitation if you don't activate is the watermark and inability to customize the desktop.

[irusensei]

Correct me here but Server and Enterprise/LTS have a proper evaluation period (180 day?) that upon expiration shutdowns the machine after 1 hour of use.

[easygenes]

It seems you're right and I was mistaken.

https://digitalitskills.com/how-to-stop-windows-server-auto-...

[irusensei]

I always wondered if some really detailed and maintained script or ansible book could make the expiration date a minor issue. Just install it again assuming there is no hardware id of sorts involved in the trial activation.

[easygenes]

The link I posted says you just disable the service that does the restarts shrug.

[vladvasiliu]

The problem with that, aside from the licensing questions already raised by siblings, is that some things don't work on it, although they do work on regular win 10 / 11.

One such example is the Fortinet VPN client. It refuses to connect when running on Win 2019 and 2022 for some reason.