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The big howler for me was Cortana running as part of Windows Server 2016, by default. Look: I'm not really happy running Windows Server to begin with [HN crowd

by kabdib 7y ago

The big howler for me was Cortana running as part of Windows Server 2016, by default. Look: I'm not really happy running Windows Server to begin with [HN crowd: a decision that was not mine, by the way], so why do you have to have this stupid thing downloading and running all kinds of random executables that I have no idea what they do in my bloody server farm? And yup, I have logs off all those things, and pager traffic as a witness. Yes, you can turn Cortana off. No, you shouldn't have to. This decision beggars the imagination. (I like to think that the PM behind Cortana-makes-sense-in-a-server was the same nimrod who also shipped the touchscreen support in Server 2012R2 and the all-caps menu nonsense that plagued Visual Studio and Office for a few years, until Microsoft got a clue and realized they were honestly, really and truly pissing off customers. Someone needs to take that person out back of Building 9 and show them the instruments).

Nerdfest 7y ago
I seem to remember that even when Cortana is shut off, it was found to be listening and sending telemetry back to Microsoft. Based on their past behaviour, I'd guess that even is it is "removed", those elements will remain.
- kabdib 7y ago
  I don't recall seeing a way to remove Cortana, just disable it. (Yup, fills me with confidence).
- jotm 7y ago
  Well, speech recognition executables want access tnrough the firewall regularly, regardless of Cortana. So yeah, something is being sent.
  - jotm 7y ago
    Oh, I'm sorry for pointing out the fact that speech recognition wants outbound access through the firewall even on Cortana-less LTSC. That must be so hurtful! Please forgive me, I'm on your side, I don't even vaccinate!
ToFab123 7y ago
>The big howler for me was Cortana running as part of Windows Server 2016, by default. Cortana is not running as part of Windows Server 2016 by default . The default install option is no GUI and that option does not install Cortana. You will explicit have to choose that you want to install the "Desktop experience" in order to get Cortana. If you select to add an optional feature named "Desktop experience" it is fair enough that Cortana is there since she is (or now was) a part of Microsoft Desktop experience. Most typical server workloads run fine without the GUI (and Cortana). Windows Server 2016 Installation Options: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/legacy/mt588481(v=vs.85) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/d...
- jankotek 7y ago
  Windows Server 2016 (Desktop Experience). Choosing this option is useful when a GUI is required; for example, to provide backward compatibility for an application that cannot be run on a Server Core installation. All server roles and features are supported. This configuration is the equivalent of Server Graphical Shell on Windows Server 2012 R2. Maybe he wants GUI experience, like Win NT
- himinlomax 7y ago
  Let's be fair here. Apart from AD and Exchange, the only Windows-only server programs you may need to install are likely to be legacy domain specific, professional kind of stuff. I've seen tax-filing stuff, finance regulation compliance, medical or judicial "solutions" that would only run (poorly) on Windows, usually with mind-boggling requirements (run as domain admin! Server 2003 only!) and they simply won't run without the GUI. In other words: usually, if you need Windows server, you're going to need the GUI. Note that I say this as a Linux admin who has only run Windows very occasionally (and reluctantly!) in the past 20 years.
  - goatinaboat 7y ago
    usually, if you need Windows server, you're going to need the GUI. This absolutely is not true and is a bizarre assertion to start with “Let’s be fair here”.
jotm 7y ago
Funny how the LTSC version is the only Windows version that works best as a standalone desktop OS, where you install the software you want and no updates will break your configuration every half a year. But of course it's not recommended for desktop use, and you can't get a license as an individual user (I think even business users have restrictions).

by kabdib 7y ago

Nerdfest 7y ago

I seem to remember that even when Cortana is shut off, it was found to be listening and sending telemetry back to Microsoft. Based on their past behaviour, I'd guess that even is it is "removed", those elements will remain.

kabdib 7y ago
I don't recall seeing a way to remove Cortana, just disable it. (Yup, fills me with confidence).
jotm 7y ago
Well, speech recognition executables want access tnrough the firewall regularly, regardless of Cortana. So yeah, something is being sent.
- jotm 7y ago
  Oh, I'm sorry for pointing out the fact that speech recognition wants outbound access through the firewall even on Cortana-less LTSC. That must be so hurtful! Please forgive me, I'm on your side, I don't even vaccinate!

ToFab123 7y ago

>The big howler for me was Cortana running as part of Windows Server 2016, by default. Cortana is not running as part of Windows Server 2016 by default . The default install option is no GUI and that option does not install Cortana. You will explicit have to choose that you want to install the "Desktop experience" in order to get Cortana. If you select to add an optional feature named "Desktop experience" it is fair enough that Cortana is there since she is (or now was) a part of Microsoft Desktop experience. Most typical server workloads run fine without the GUI (and Cortana). Windows Server 2016 Installation Options: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/desktop/legacy/mt588481(v=vs.85) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/d...

jankotek 7y ago
Windows Server 2016 (Desktop Experience). Choosing this option is useful when a GUI is required; for example, to provide backward compatibility for an application that cannot be run on a Server Core installation. All server roles and features are supported. This configuration is the equivalent of Server Graphical Shell on Windows Server 2012 R2. Maybe he wants GUI experience, like Win NT
himinlomax 7y ago
Let's be fair here. Apart from AD and Exchange, the only Windows-only server programs you may need to install are likely to be legacy domain specific, professional kind of stuff. I've seen tax-filing stuff, finance regulation compliance, medical or judicial "solutions" that would only run (poorly) on Windows, usually with mind-boggling requirements (run as domain admin! Server 2003 only!) and they simply won't run without the GUI. In other words: usually, if you need Windows server, you're going to need the GUI. Note that I say this as a Linux admin who has only run Windows very occasionally (and reluctantly!) in the past 20 years.
- goatinaboat 7y ago
  usually, if you need Windows server, you're going to need the GUI. This absolutely is not true and is a bizarre assertion to start with “Let’s be fair here”.

jotm 7y ago

Funny how the LTSC version is the only Windows version that works best as a standalone desktop OS, where you install the software you want and no updates will break your configuration every half a year. But of course it's not recommended for desktop use, and you can't get a license as an individual user (I think even business users have restrictions).