Windows Server 2016 Standard

Windows Server 2016 Standard

Windows Server 2016 Standard is the cloud-capable server operating system from Microsoft. It supports networking, management, hosting, and information supply in organizations. This edition introduces a new licensing model based on cores (not processors) and is best suited for low-density or non-virtualized environments, making it ideal for businesses using physical servers or only a few virtual machines.

What’s New in Windows Server 2016 Standard

Compute

Virtualization improvements help IT professionals design, deploy, and maintain Windows Server environments. Both physical and virtual machines benefit from greater time accuracy with updated Win32 Time and Hyper-V Time Synchronization Services, ensuring compliance with regulations requiring 1ms UTC accuracy.

Hyper-V

Windows Server 2016 introduces enhanced Hyper-V features across Windows Server, Windows 10 Client Hyper-V, and Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016. It also adds Windows Containers with better performance, simplified network management, and support for containers on Windows 10.

Nano Server

Nano Server improvements include an updated image-building module, better separation of host and VM roles, and support for multiple Windows Server editions. The Recovery Console now supports separation of firewall rules and configuration repair for WinRM.

Shielded Virtual Machines

A new Hyper-V-based feature that protects Generation 2 virtual machines from compromised fabrics, adding advanced security against unauthorized access.

Identity and Access

Windows Server 2016 enhances security and hybrid deployment support across multiple Active Directory services:

• AD Certificate Services (AD CS): Expanded TPM key attestation, Smart Card KSP support, and domain-independent NDES enrollment.
• AD Domain Services (AD DS): Better tools for securing environments and managing corporate + personal devices.
• AD Federation Services (AD FS): Support for authenticating users stored in LDAP directories and improved configuration options.

Web Application Proxy

New features improve app publishing and preauthentication, including support for rich client apps like Exchange ActiveSync, wildcard domains, and enhanced SharePoint app publishing.

Administration

Windows Server 2016 includes significant updates to Windows PowerShell 5.1, adding class support, advanced security features, and better usability for managing Windows environments. Key improvements include:

• Running PowerShell.exe locally on Nano Server.
• New Local Users & Groups cmdlets (GUI replacement).
• PowerShell debugging support.
• Security logging & transcription, plus JEA support for Nano Server.