Windows Server 2016 Essentials: Memory Limit (RAM) and Other Hardware Limits

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wildpig1234

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2016
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No effin way!?? wtf is MS thinking? crazy that they also don't mention that limitation more widely too..

Here's what my barebone server 2016 datacenter installation looks like. I installed driver for NVidia fx 3800, sound card, usb 3 card as well as google chrome and mpc-hc.

only using not even 12GB space and slightly above 3gb ram...
 

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wildpig1234

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2016
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feels like it's a deceiving marketing practice: conveniently leaving out details of a major limitation.
 

cesmith9999

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2013
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there was probably a similar limitation on the 2012 r2 version of essentials.

Chris
 

Patrick

Administrator
Staff member
Dec 21, 2010
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@cesmith9999 that is true but Windows 10 Pro, for example, went from 512GB to 2TB RAM limitation in the last year or so.
 

cheezehead

Active Member
Sep 23, 2012
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Midwest, US
For the OS install, the OS check if memory serves is slightly under 12GB. The problem comes when you start adding roles or wanting to patch the machine is the reason why they say that. With other editions core takes <8GB and a bare nano install takes <400MB. Currently you cannot install to either MicroSD or USB drives though from what I've been hearing USB drive installation may be support down the road for certain install types. Likely stemming from trying to encourage people to jump ship from either VMware or KVM.