Windows Server 2008 Reviewed

Windows Server With Vista's User Interface

If the "Windows Classic" theme is too drab for your taste, you can use the Vista interface instead. In order to do so, you’ll need to install the so-called Desktop Experience Pack, which can be selected as a feature in the Server Manager.

Installing the Desktop Experience Pack

You won’t see much of a change after the installation is complete. To see the Vista interface, you have to activate the Themes service and change the design.

Windows Server 2008 with Windows Vista’s user interface

Testing It Yourself

If you’re interested, you can test RC0 of Windows Server 2008 yourself. Microsoft is providing this version for download on its Website.

The download is available in several languages and both as a 32- or 64-bit version. The ISO files are between 1.9 GB and 2.5 GB in size and have to be burned onto a DVD for installation.

Alternatively, you can directly mount the ISO images as drives in VMware or Microsoft Virtual PC.