| Windows MultiPoint Server | |
| Developer: | Microsoft |
| Latest Release Version: | 2012 (6.3.9600) |
| Latest Release Date: | [1] [2] |
| Discontinued: | yes |
| License: | Proprietary commercial software |
| Website: | Windows MultiPoint Server (archived at Wayback Machine) |
Windows MultiPoint Server is an operating system based on Microsoft Windows Server using Remote Desktop Services technology to host multiple simultaneous independent computing stations or terminals connected to a single computer (multiseat computing). Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 was the final release as an independent SKU and has been superseded by the MultiPoint Services role in Windows Server 2016.
This version was planned in January 2010 but was released in February 2010 a month later and is based on Windows Server 2008 R2.[3] Its mainstream support ended on July 14, 2015, and extended support ended on July 14, 2020. Multiple stations can be added to a WMS 2010 host computer by connecting a single monitor, USB 2.0 hub, keyboard and mouse for each station. Hardware requirements for MultiPoint stations are non-proprietary, and virtually any multi-monitor video card, mouse, keyboard, monitor and some desktop Computers that is supported on all Windows and it's Server "2008 R2" can be used to build a station.[4]
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 is available for purchase via either OEMs or academic volume licensing. The Academic version, acquired via Academic Volume Licensing, supports domain join and no licensing restrictions on station count (however, hardware limits still apply), but requires a Windows Server 2008 R2 client access license (CAL) and a Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 CAL per station, while the non-Academic version that is acquired via OEMs is limited to 10 stations maximum and does not support domain join, but only requires a Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 CAL per station and no Windows Server 2008 R2 CALs.[5]
Windows MultiPoint Server 2011, based on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, was released to manufacturing on March 10, 2011.[6] Its mainstream support ended on July 12, 2016 and extended support ended on July 13, 2021. New features in Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 include:
In addition, unlike Windows MultiPoint Server 2010, Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 is available in the Standard and Premium editions. The following table compares the two editions' differences; they share all other features equally.[5] [9] [10]
| Standard | Premium | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum simultaneous stations (licensing limit) | Hardware limits still apply and Client Access Licenses are required (see below) | |||
| Maximum random-access memory (RAM) | Motherboard limitations still apply | |||
| Supported processor sockets | Only x86-64 sockets are supported. | |||
| Domain join | See also:Active Directory | |||
| Hyper-V support | "1 on 1" licensing model for the Premium edition. | |||
| Licensing | 1 OS license per WMS instance, 1 WMS 2011 CAL per station, and for copies purchased through Volume Licensing, 1 Windows Server 2008 CAL per station as well. | All licenses are sold either via OEMs or Volume Licensing. | ||
On 27 November 2012, Microsoft released Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 to manufacturing.[11] Its mainstream support ended on October 9, 2018, and extended support ended October 10, 2023. This is the first version of MultiPoint to be based on Windows Server 2012, and contains several new features and upgrades from previous versions:
With the release of Windows Server 2016, MultiPoint Server was added as a role, which allows it to be easily installed using tools like Server Manager. The MultiPoint Connector Services feature - which is also available in Server 2016 - cannot be installed alongside the MultiPoint Services role.