Windows XP and Server 2003 would mark the only time in Windows's history that the releases weren't fully synced up. (Unless you count Windows XP x64 Edition, wh

Windows XP and Server 2003 would mark the only time in Windows's history that the releases weren't fully synced up. (Unless you count Windows XP x64 Edition, which was the same OS files as Server 2003) I doubt any Windows administrators are really mystified by it. Vista and Server 2008, one and the same. 7 and Server 2008 R2, one and the same. 8.0 and Server 2012, one and the same. etc. It's even obvious if you pay attention to update files, they start with "Windows6.0-KB...", "Windows6.1-KB...", etc. As for marketing, there is a real difference between home/workstation releases and server releases. It's not in the kernel or basic OS services, but instead with things like Windows Media Player or IIS. It makes little sense to include WMP on a server. Likewise, it makes little sense to include IIS on Home Edition.