How to convert your Windows Server 2003... to a Workstation!

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Hi! The purpose of creating this guide is to make it short, simple, and to the point! This is the only guide you will find on the Internet that has gone into so much depth. The sections above do not have to be taken in any particular order, but for the full Workstation experience it's recommended you do it step-by-step! I won't go into too much detail here, besides who loves reading too much? Not many people I bet, so I will go straight to the point in these sections, allowing a quick and easy configuration of your Server to convert it to act like a Workstation! Before we begin, I would like to give many thanks to MSFN for generously offering to host this website, as well as giving me my own email address! So be sure to give them a visit! And hey, the ads are gone too! yay \o/ This website is now stationed at: http://www.msfn.org/win2k3 so please update your bookmarks! Translations: Dansk | Deutsch Pre-Setup I'm sure you'll know how to install Windows Server 2003, its basically done the same way as Windows XP. Assuming you want to run it as a workstation then leave the CAL (Client Access License) settings as they are when you come across it during Setup. Let's move on! Post-Setup

The first thing you should do is disable the Manage Your Server window, you don't want it nagging you everytime you boot up Windows do you? Simply tick the box "Don't display this page at logon". You can access it later via Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Manage Your Server.

Now let's move on to the next section, where you will create a new user account. Page 2 - New User

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Creating a New User Account

The Welcome Screen is non-existant in Windows Server 2003, so you weren't prompted to make a new user name upon first boot-up. But worry not, its fairly simple to do, as everything in this guide is! I would like to thank Donald Morris for this new submission, replacing the advanced lusrmgr.msc (Local Users and Groups) completely. Go to Start -> Run -> and type in rundll32 netplwiz.dll,UsersRunDll and press enter. The User Accounts window will appear. Click on Add and then fill in the necessary fields with your User name, Full name, and Description. Click on Next and fill in both password fields as shown here and then click on Next. On the next wizard box as shown here, choose Other and select Administrators, lastly click on Finish! If you wish for a more advanced configuration, you can always use lusrmgr.msc by running it from the Run box again. Incase you're wondering, rundll32 netplwiz.dll,UsersRunDll is the same as control userpasswords2

Now that we've set up a personal user account, we want it to autologon without the use of TweakUI. If you don't wish for this feature please skip this step. Make sure your name is highlighted in the User Accounts window, as shown in the screenshot to the right, and then uncheck the box Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer and then click on Apply. If you did it right, you will get another window asking for the password to use for autologon on your account name as shown in this screenshot here. Fill in both password fields, and you're ready to go! Now log off and log in with your new account!

If you want to disable the CTRL-ALT-DEL prompt, please go to this page Let's move on to the next section - Disabling Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration!

Page 3 - Disabling IE Enhanced Security

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Disabling Internet Explorer Enhanced Security

Unable to browse sites? This section is for you. A new security feature of Windows Server 2003 has set Internet Explorer to high security by default, so you won't be able to browse any sites. Want to fix this? Read on!

To remove Internet Explorer's Enhanced Security Configuration, we will need to do this via Add or Remove Programs. Go to Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> and then scroll down until you see Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration. Click on Details and uncheck both boxes as shown in the screenshot to the left. Click OK and OK!

Now fire up Internet Explorer and you'll be faced with the page as shown in the screenshot to the right, warning you that IE's Enhanced Security Configuration is not enabled. Simply change your homepage in Internet Explorer's options, and that's it, you won't be seeing it again!

As usual, read on to the next section! Page 4 - Sun Java

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Installing Sun Java VM

Windows Server 2003 ships without Microsoft Java VM, and Microsoft no longer hosts the necessary Java VM files. There are plenty of other places where you can obtain the MS Java VM, but I have not chosen to install it because: 1. It will no longer be updated to patch any forthcoming security exploits. 2. Many of the various download locations for MS Java VM differ in size, how would you know exactly which one to get? If you do want the MS Java VM, then click here, download and install it, and then proceed onto the next section - Disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker. Decided to get Sun's Java? Read on... Grab a copy of Sun's Java VM from Sun's download page: Click Here. The installation process is easy, and it won't require a reboot either. Now lets move on to disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker, allowing us to reboot without the bloody nuisance of an event tracker window! Page 5 - Disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker

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Disabling the Shutdown Event Tracker

Because Windows Server 2003 is a 'Server', the event tracker plays a crucial role so that it can keep logs on why the server was shutdown/rebooted. Since we want it to be a Workstation, we will easily attempt to disable this feature. Again, its so damn simple :-)

We will need to go into Group Policy Object Editor, go to Start -> Run -> and type gpedit.msc followed by enter. You should see the Group Policy Editor as shown on the left. Browse to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> now look in the right window pane and double click on Display Shutdown Event Tracker.

This window will now appear, simply select Disabled and then proceed to click on OK. Now close the Group Policy Object Editor window.

If all goes well, you should get this when you attempt to shutdown:

Now that you have IE ready for Internet browsing, and disabled the Shutdown Event Tracker, now's a good time to start downloading and installing all those drivers! After you have done so, move on to the next section - where we will accelerate our Graphics card and enable DirectX! Page 6 - Graphics Acceleration

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Enabling Hardware and DirectX Acceleration

Graphics Hardware Acceleration and DirectX are disabled by default on a Server configuration to ensure maximum stability and uptime. But for any reason you need to enable them to use DirectX enabled applications this section will guide you through on how you can do it. Enabling Graphics Hardware Acceleration

Let's start with enabling the Hardware acceleration on our graphics card. Simply right click anywhere on your desktop and select Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced -> and finally, the Troubleshoot tab. Now move the Hardware acceleration slider across to Full Click OK You may experience a monitor black out for a few seconds, this is normal.

Enabling DirectX

We now want to enable the full capabilities of DirectX. To do this, go to Start -> Run -> and type dxdiag followed by enter. You will get a dialog box asking if you want to allow dxdiag to access the internet to check for valid WHQL certificates - click on Yes. Let's click on the Display tab, now click on all three boxes to enable DirectDraw, Direct3D and AGP Texture Acceleration.

You guessed right, that's all you needed to do! You can now install your Win2K/XP drivers for your Graphics card and enjoy the full DirectX experience. (Later on in this guide, we will be installing DirectX 9.0a) But hang on, we want sound as well! Let's move on to the next section to find out how!

Page 7 - Sound Acceleration

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Enabling Sound Acceleration

Now that we've enabled acceleration for our Graphics card and DirectX, we want to enable the audio, read on!

If you are using Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, move on to the next step as the Windows Audio Service is already enabled. For other editions, read on. Go to Start -> Run -> and type Services.msc followed by enter. The Services window will appear, scroll down until you find "Windows Audio". Double click on Windows Audio -> and change the startup type to Automatic -> then Apply -> Start -> OK

Lastly, we will need to go back into DirectX Diagnostics. Click on Start -> Run -> and type dxdiag followed by enter. This time, go to the Sound tab and move the slider on "Hardware Sound Acceleration Level" to Full Acceleration.

Great! We have sound enabled, now go and grab a copy of Winamp and play some music to soothe yourself! :-) Not forgetting, if you have a SB Live! card like I do, you should grab the LiveDrvUni-Pack for Win2K/XP dated 10th March 2003. There is absolutely no need to extract and install the drivers manually, because the setup program works just fine on Windows Server 2003! What's next? Visual Styles on Windows Server 2003! Let's move on to the next section! Page 8 - UXTheme

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Enabling Themes and patching UXTheme.dll

Where are the themes I hear you scream! You've come to the right place. Let's get them enabled with little effort!

We will need to go back into Services to enable the Themes Services. Go to Start -> Run -> and type Services.msc followed by enter. Scroll down until you find "Themes", now double click on Themes -> change the startup type to Automatic > Apply -> Start -> OK. Now close the Services window. For now you only have Luna Blue, Silver and Olive Green to choose from. Want to use a hacked visual style? Move on to the next step to easily patch your UXTheme.dll

Manual Installation Thanks goes out to Vortex.Winbeta.org for supplying us with a patched UXTheme.dll. There were no instructions included, so I've added a batchfile (*.cmd) thanks to Fredrik Thorson. If you'd rather use an autopatcher, click here otherwise proceed with the instructions outlined below: Download: UXThemePatch.zip (if for any reason you need to restore your original uxtheme.dll - Click here to download) Extract the zipped file and follow these steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. Copy UXTheme.dll to C:\WINDOWS\System32\dllcache Copy the uxthemepatch.cmd to the root of your C:\ drive Reboot into Safe Mode Command Prompt (Press F8 upon booting) Once the Command Prompt has loaded, type cd\ followed by enter, then type uxthemepatch followed by enter.

That's it! Remember to replace C:\WINDOWS with your drive and WINDOWS folder name where applicable! Automatic Installation Courtesy of xBetas, we have an AutoPatcher to simplify the process of patching your UXTheme.dll, let's download it from the link below: Download: xBetas' PatchXP

As the patcher says, just click the Patch button, ignore any Microsoft or WFP related messages (I didn't get any though) and then click on Reboot!

If you followed the instructions well, you should now be able to use hacked visual styles on Windows Server 2003!

Many people have requested by email what theme I'm using in the above screenshot. It's called Watercolor XP v4.2 and can be downloaded at Themexp.org by using the search engine (search for Watercolor) If you want to theme your Startup and Shutdown windows, please go to Themes Xtra Let's look into what other Services you should enable, move on to the next section! Page 9 - Other Services

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Enabling Other Services

In this section we will show you how to: 1. Enable the inbuilt IMAPI CD-Burning Service 2. Enable Windows Image Acquisition (for Webcams, Scanners etc) If you do not wish to enable any of these services, please move on to the next section - Advanced Configuration.

If you wish to use the inbuilt CD-Burning Service, follow these instructions: (Its recommended you leave this disabled if you want to speed up the Nero Burning ROM startup) Go to Start -> Run -> and type in Services.msc and scroll down until you find the "IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service", double click on IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service and select startup type Automatic -> Apply -> Start -> OK. Reboot to enable the CD Burning item in "Send-To".

If you have a Camera, Webcam or Scanner, follow these instructions: Go to Start -> Run -> and type in Services.msc and scroll down until you find the "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) ", double click on Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) and select startup type Automatic -> Apply -> Start -> OK.

Now install the drivers for your Camera, Webcam, or Scanner! Next, we will show you the Advanced Configuration setup in Windows Server 2003, click on as usual! Page 10 - Advanced Configuration

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Advanced Configuration
In this section, we will go deep into the core of Windows Server 2003, where the memory and processor usage is handled. We will want to change some settings as it isn't currently optimized for Workstation usage.

Let's go into Performance Options and change the performance settings for processor and memory resources. Here's how to get there: Go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> Advanced tab. Change Processor scheduling to Programs and lastly, change Memory usage to Programs. Now click on OK.

If you're still at the System Properties Window, you might want to disable Error Reporting. Click on Error Reporting -> and then choose Disable Error Reporting -> and tick But, notify me when critical errors occur.

Coming up next is the installation of DirectX 9.0a on Windows Server 2003! Page 11 - DirectX 9.0a

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Installing DirectX 9.0a

The installation process of DirectX 9.0a is just the same as any other DirectX installation on any of the previous Windows versions. If you haven't yet enabled DirectX and Graphics Acceleration then please do so now before proceeding! To start off, grab a copy of DirectX 9.0a Websetup from the link below: Download: DirectX 9.0a Websetup Execute the setup file and go through the setup process, it will download approx. 6.9 MB of files.

That's it, now go and reboot! When the DirectX 9.0a Redistributable becomes available, I will add the download link to this page. Let's move on to the last section, where you can find information and configure the little bits here and there! Page 12 - Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous
Folder Options

By default, all hidden files and folders are shown, you may want to hide this to reduce the number of files shown in Windows Explorer. It's clutter to me, is it to you? Hide them! Open any folder and go to Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab -> select Do not show hidden files and folders -> and lastly OK.

Windows Media Player 9 Windows Media Player 9 is already installed. To activate it, go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment > Windows Media Player. Now tick all the relevant checkboxes suited to your needs and you're ready to go! You can also add Media Player 9 to your taskbar by: Right clicking on your Taskbar -> Toolbars -> Windows Media Player. How to install Plus! for Windows XP on Windows Server 2003 Refer to this article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q311410 Working Antivirus applications Symantec Norton Antivirus Corporate 8.x (Not Home versions of Norton Antivirus 2002/2003) Sophos Antivirus Eset NOD32 PC-Cillin 2003 (Extract pcc2003sw101.exe with WinRAR and replace PCC.msi with the patched PCC.msi, then execute Setup.exe - Thanks CSS Omega) Working Firewalls ZoneAlarm v3.7.159 Norton Personal Firewall 2003 Sygate Personal Firewall v5.0 Build 1175 I will update the Antivirus and Firewalls list when I get more information on them (it would be more helpful if you emailed

me of any working Antivirus and Firewall applications for Windows Server 2003!) Please note that the above applications are based on user feedback so I haven't tested or verified any of them.

That's it! You have successfully configured your Server to act as a Workstation, now you can resume all your usual day-today computer activities on Windows Server 2003! :-) You can find more info & extras such as TweakNT, XP Games, Tweaks, and Downloads from the navigation bar at the top. If you wish to contact me regarding anything on this guide, or send in new suggestions, please click on the Contact link in the navigation bar at the top. If you do find any errors, please tell me as well!

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Using TweakNT to change Server to Professional/Home

This clever little tool will change your Windows Server 2003 into thinking its Windows XP Professional, or Home Edition. This will allow software such as Norton Antivirus 2003 or Partition Magic 8 to install on Windows Server 2003. I will not be held responsible for any damages caused to the Operating System, so please make a backup and proceed at your own risk! I should also warn you that this should not be used on cracked or corporate versions of Windows Server 2003; the only successful time TweakNT worked was on a copy of Windows Server 2003 Retail. Let's download TweakNT 1.21, courtesy of WiNBETA's bophoe and ibi! Download: TweakNT 1.21

Extract the zipped file, and execute TweakNT.exe. As shown in the screenshot to the right, tick the Convert to checkbox -> Workstation -> and then select if you wish to convert it to Home or Professional. After clicking Apply you will get a few dialog boxes notifying you that changes have been made and will now reboot. Click on OK to reboot. If you get an error such as this when Windows Server 2003 booted up, then I suggest you restore your backup because TweakNT has failed. Or, read the included readme and attempt to restore the Registry backup; you will need a secondary OS to do this.

If you booted up with no problems then congratulations, TweakNT has changed your Server to XP Home/Pro! Now you can install Norton Antivirus 2003, Partition Magic 8, and probably a lot of other software that refused to install before.

I'm aware that a lot of people like this functionality, but I'd recommend against it because the stability of such software and the OS itself is in doubt. I didn't run into any problems with Norton AV 2003, Partition Magic 8 or the OS itself, but it hasn't been fully tested long enough. Whilst TweakNT has changed your Server to a Workstation, all the server functionality is disabled as you can see from one particular screenshot below:

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Installing Windows XP Games on Windows Server 2003

Thanks to gamehead200 for the submission of this guide, it works! This section will show you how to get the games such as Solitaire, Minesweeper, Pinball, and all the Internet games installed on Windows Server 2003. You will need your Windows Server 2003 CD and your Windows XP CD to do this. Let's download the package of inf and dll files to make it work! Download: XP Games Extract the zipped file to wherever you like and follow these steps: 1. Copy all the DLLs to C:\Windows\System32\Setup\ 2. Copy all the INFs to C:\Windows\Inf\ We now want to add a couple of lines to the sysoc.inf file. Go to Start -> Run -> and type in C:\Windows\Inf\sysoc.inf followed by enter. sysoc.inf should now open in Notepad, then paste in the following: Games=ocgen2.dll,OcEntry,games.inf,,7 Pinball=ocgen2.dll,OcEntry,pinball.inf,,7 ZoneGames=zoneoc.dll,ZoneSetupProc,igames.inf,,7 Save the file! Now we want to install the games! Insert your Windows Server 2003 CD, and go to Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> double click on Accessories and Utilities -> and then make sure Games is checkboxed, lastly click on OK. When you're prompted for a CD called Unknown then take out your Windows Server 2003 CD and replace it with your Windows XP CD, and click on OK again. Make sure all throughout the process that its pointing to the /i386 directory on both CDs to ensure an error free installation. Also remember to replace C:\WINDOWS with your drive and WINDOWS folder name where applicable for this guide! That's it! The games are now installed, and you can access it by going to Start -> Programs -> Games

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Theming the Startup and Shutdown Windows

You probably have noticed that the Startup and Shutdown windows are not skinned, even when you've enabled and are using themes. In here, we'll be showing you how to get them skinned with the theme of your choice! Be sure to enable your themes service before proceeding, if you haven't done so you can go here to find out how. Before starting, make sure you have a favourite visual style in use. In this guide, I'll be using Luna Blue. Let's fire up the Registry Editor by going to Start -> Run > and typing regedit followed by enter. The Registry Editor will open, browse to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\ThemeManager Right click on ThemeManager and choose Export, and then save the reg file anywhere you like, with any name. (See first screenshot) Edit your saved registy file in Notepad and edit the following line: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\ThemeManager so that it shows as: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\ThemeManager As shown in the second screenshot. Save the file, and then execute your registry file.

Reboot to see the changes made! If all went well, you should see your Startup and Shutdown windows themed with your choice of Visual Style as shown in the screenshot to the left! You may have to repeat the steps outlined above if you change your visual style in future.

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Tweaking Windows Server 2003

TweakUI Now modified to work with Windows Server 2003. This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface, including mouse settings, Explorer settings, taskbar settings, and more. (Thanks to Toby B.) Download

Open Command Window Here Modified to work with Windows Server 2003. This PowerToy adds an "Open Command Window Here" context menu option on file system folders, giving you a quick way to open a command window (cmd.exe) pointing at the selected folder. (Thanks to Toby B.) Download

Xteq X-Setup Xteq X-Setup is a so-called "hacker" or "tweaker" program. It allows you to change settings that are normally hidden deeply in some configuration-files like the registry fast and easily. X-Setup offers several advantages, making it the "ultimate tool for black belt system tuning". It's runs on any Windows version (incl. XP), is clutter-free, easy to use, extensible, powerful, covers any aspect of your computer and has more configuration options than any other tweaker. For a complete listing of the features of X-Setup, please see the Features Page. Download

Add TweakUI shortcut to the Control Panel This registry hack will add a shortcut to TweakUI in the Control Panel, the registry file assumes you have tweakui.exe in %SystemRoot%\System32\ (commonly, C:\Windows\System32\). If you haven't done so, be sure to grab TweakUI before executing the registry file! (Thanks to Vadim Y. for sending this in) Download

Add User Accounts shortcut to the Control Panel This registry hack will add a shortcut to User Accounts in the Control Panel, which serves as an alternative to running commands such as rundll32 netplwiz.dll,UsersRunDll or control userpasswords2 in the Run box. All you need to do is execute the included registry file. (Thanks again to Vadim Y. for sending this in)

Download

Problem with MenuShowDelay There is a bug in Windows Server 2003 that will cause short bursts of unresponsiveness when loading a sub menu such as SendTo. The cause of this problem is when the MenuShowDelay is set to "0" (which allows sub menus to instantly appear). This tweak is applied by either TweakUI, X-Setup, or by editing the Registry. To fix this you can download and execute a registry file to change the delay to "8". Don't worry, 8 is a very minor step up and the menus will still load up instantly. You may need to reboot for the changes to take effect. Download

Want to submit more tweaks? Contact me!

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Disabling the CTRL+ALT+DEL Prompt

You've managed to avoid the annoying CTRL+ALT+DEL prompt by using autologon... but it's still there! The CTRL+ALT+DEL prompt will still show up when you lock your PC (Winkey +L) or when you use a password protected screensaver. In here, we'll show you how to disable it completely.

Go to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy. Browse to Local Policies > Security Options. On the right windows pane, scroll down until you find Interactive logon: Do not require CTRL+ALT+DEL, double click and then select Enabled (as shown in the screenshot)

Thanks to Andrew T. for submitting this tip!

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Contact Me!
If you wish to contact me regarding anything on this guide or send in any new suggestions, then please do send me an email! If you find any errors, please notify me of them as well! It's my aim to keep this guide 100% perfect! Problems regarding downloads: If you are getting anti-leech messages when trying to download, then please temporarily disable your Firewall/ad-blocking applications and try again before contacting me. On request I will email the files. :-) Please don't email me on issues with your PC and Windows Server 2003 (such as driver issues, software etc). Every PC is different in hardware configuration and I am unable to solve them. Such emails will be deleted. You should use support forums for assistance on these issues, which can be found at the following: ieXbeta | MSFN Mail: Andy