What about Windows Server 2022 (and the Essentials variant)?
I see no group here that would cover Windows Server 2022, so I am asking here: should there be such a group, and who would create it?
Context: A client of mine just ordered and received a small Dell server with Windows Server 2022 ESSENTIALS (let's call it WSE 2022). But as I just discovered, WSE 2022 is just a branding and licensing option, and what we got on the server is actually calling itself Windows Server 2022 STANDARD.
More context: quite a few years ago (2015, to be precise), I ordered and installed a small office server for another client, and it arrived with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials (WSE 2012 R2). Now I recently learned, to my great dismay, that the most user-friendly features of that platform have been taken out a couple of generations ago. I am referring to the Dashboard and the Essentials Connector, particularly the latter.
Is there, anywhere OUT THERE, some kind of functional alternative to the Essentials Connector, or something near to it? With just a few clicks, plus the entry of a new user ID and password, it would automatically connect the new desktop to the server's domain, create a full set of mapped folders ("Desktop", "Documents", "Downloads", etc.) and remap them all under a folder tree named "\ServerFolders\Folder Redirection\username\". Now I find myself having to do this all manually, or at least doing the essential parts, e.g. defining and configuring mappings for "Documents" and "Downloads" (and possibly "Desktop") for every user I want to move from this client's old server.
Maybe I will try my hand at creating some scripts (CMD or PowerShell) to do this, but I know for sure that my feeble attempts would not come close to matching the elegance and efficiency of the Essentials Connector.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
ASKER
Thank you Philip. You response (and advice) is much appreciated.
However (gulp), I must admit my knowledge and skill level in Windows management and networking is not, by far, up to the level necessary to follow your "EE AD & Group Policy" article, much less implement it. And, being half way through my 69th year and in somewhat declining health, this will very likely be my last client server installation before I declare myself retired. I never got any formal Microsoft training or certification, only learning by doing and on the go (with liberal use of Googling and reading). Thus my query for simple(r) solutions that can be run by people at my modest level of competency...
I am thinking more and more that I will perform the necessary configurations by hand, as this is only a 10-user network and they have very simple needs.
Again, thanks for the quick and manifestly very competent response!
I've not touched Essentials since its initial release version in 2011. I've heard and seen rumours of what was done to the Essentials product over the years.
Microsoft's general assumption is that all SMB belongs in the cloud. There's no reason, to them, to have anything on-premises anymore.
So, Essentials has essentially been abandoned.
I would recommend, if you're not comfortable taking on the tasks as Philip Outlined, looking to partner with someone. Local or remote, who can be used to setup the system that you subsequently maintain. Ideally, someone who is open to discussing and imparting knowledge so that you don't necessarily need to call them for every little server related thing, but you don't have to feel you're putting your client in a negative situation where you're not up to speed on the practices.
ASKER
Thanks Lee W. I will consider this possibility and look around for an affordable possible "partner". Did I mention that my client is a self-avowed cheapskate and they have gotten used to inexpensive service ever since I set up their current server in 2014? So I have my work quite cut out for me in convincing them that they SHOULD spend more, even though I agree with your advice in principle...
Again, thanks for making a good point.
We use one PowerShell line to drop a newly created Computer object into the correct OU. It then takes the policy settings that Group Policy has assigned to it.
We built a fairly close to Small Business Server (SBS - Essentials big brother) on Windows Server with the demise of SBS 2011.
My EE AD & Group Policy Article:
Working with AD and Group Policy
My EE Remote Desktop Article:
Remote Desktop Services (RDS): Setup Guide & Best Practices
We use Group Policy to fine tune all settings on the domain and Remote Desktop Services to replace that functionality in Small Business Server.