Setup Windows Server 2008 R2 as a workstation


Great list of features tweaks and software tools to add to your 2008 R2 Server working as a workstation

Server Manager
Configure IE ESC - Off for admin and users
Start the “Windows Audio” service and set startup to “Automatic”.

Add Features
“Wireless LAN Service”

"Desktop Experience"
Windows 7 components: Windows Media Player, Desktop themes, Video for Windows (AVI support), Windows SideShow, Windows Defender, Disk Cleanup, Sync Center, Sound Recorder, Character Map, and Snipping Tool.

GPO
Local Policies>Security Options> enable “Interactive logon: Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL”.

Local Computer Policies>Administrative Templates>Computer Configuration>System>disable "Display Shutdown Event Tracker”

Local Computer Policies>Computer Configuration>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Local Policies>User Rights Assignment> Add the User or Interactive to the “Shut down the system”

More tweaks
Advanced system settings>Performance Settings>Advanced>Processor Scheduling> click programs

Now add the tools
PDF - Foxit
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/

Paint
http://paint.net/
snipping tool - already installed by adding desktop experience

Media Tools
VLC media player for Windows:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

Codec - Download K-Lite Codec Pack:
http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.h

Podcast Tools
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
http://www.freeyoutubetomp3converter.org/
http://www.mp3-joiner.net/

Archive - Add 7 Zip
http://www.7-zip.org/

Disk Space - WinDirStat
http://windirstat.sourceforge.net/

References:
http://4sysops.com/archives/windows-server-2008-r2-server-the-perfect-workstation-os/
http://www.petri.co.il/tools-for-customizing-windows-server-2008-as-a-workstation.htm
http://www.petri.co.il/customizing-windows-server-2008-as-a-workstation.htm

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