Upcoming Windows 11 builds cannot install without internet and Microsoft Account

Is there a good reason (other than licensing and Linux as an alternative) I shouldn't use Windows Server 202X as a Desktop OS?

You don’t need to use the Server SKU. LTSC exists. It’s basically the Server version, but without any of the Server stuff.

IDK about today but back when I hard work that required Windows that's how I stayed sane.

I've heard tell that some software out there will refuse to operate on Windows Server because of licensing, like perhaps they want you to get a business license. I have no evidence at hand, but something to look into.

I worked at a software vendor where we would check the type of product and yes you needed our server product to run on their server product, whether or not you used the server as a server.

Not all software does this but I also don't recall it being unusual.

These days there is no reason to use Windows at home. Just move to a distro like Mint or Ubuntu. It will save you money and help stop filling up Landfills.

I am on a 10+ year old Laptop with Slackware, for desktop use it is just as fast as any modern Laptop with Windows, I would even say it is faster.

Also you will find Libreoffice is just as good as M/S Office. Just ignore the fud. FWIW, I believe many foreign countries will start migrating to Linux and I heard that is already happening in China.

> These days there is no reason to use Windows at home.

I have two, sadly.

1. I use my Windows PC for flight simulators. While many simulators will indeed run under proton, the hardware devices (VR, joysticks, throttles, pedals, panels, etc.) usually will not, or at best run with minimal functionality.

2. I develop cross-platform software and need a Windows PC to test that environment.

A third for some people:

3. There is no great alternative to certain visual media software. e.g. Affinity Photo/Adobe Photoshop has no equivalent on Linux. No, GIMP is not anywhere near equivalent- in the same way that Nano is not equivalent to Visual Studio Code.

To be pedantic, Server 2022 is a newer build than any Windows 10 version.

To add onto 3, I do my taxes every year using either the desktop version of Turbo Tax or H&R Block. They only make Mac or Windows versions of their software.

I've read online that people have attempted to use wine in order to emulate the Windows environment with no success.

I use FreeTaxUSA for my taxes, works great for me.

> These days there is no reason to use Windows at home. Just move to a distro like Mint or Ubuntu. It will save you money and help stop filling up Landfills.

Old Intel based computers are terrible for power usage. Modern computers that are ARM based are much better for the environment.

For Windows 11, all editions (11, 11 Enterprise LTSC, Server 2025) are 24H2.

> Modern computers that are ARM based are much better for the environment.

And modern computers that are Zen based are even better. You can do real work on them, instead of sitting idle all day. /s