# Windows Server 2003

> version of the Windows Server line of server operating systems, based on Windows XP

**Wikidata**: [Q11246](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11246)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/windows-server-2003

## Summary
Windows Server 2003 is a version of the Windows Server line of server operating systems, developed by Microsoft. It is based on Windows XP. This operating system manages computer hardware resources specifically for server environments.

## Key Facts
*   **Developer:** Microsoft
*   **Inception Date:** April 24, 2003
*   **Classification:** Operating system, server, file server, name server, web server, router, directory service, print server, Certificate server
*   **Predecessor:** Windows Server 2000
*   **Successor:** Windows Server 2003 R2
*   **Aliases:** Windows 2003, Win2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows 2003 Server, Win2k3, WS2k3, WS2003, W2K3
*   **Licensing:** Shareware, Microsoft Software Assurance, Client access license
*   **Derived Systems:** Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was derived from Windows Server 2003.
*   **Working Title:** Whistler Server

## FAQs
### Q: What is Windows Server 2003?
A: Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system developed by Microsoft, which is part of the Windows Server product line and is based on Windows XP. It is designed to manage computer hardware resources in a server environment.

### Q: Who developed Windows Server 2003?
A: Windows Server 2003 was developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation.

### Q: When was Windows Server 2003 released?
A: Windows Server 2003 was released on April 24, 2003.

### Q: What operating system did Windows Server 2003 succeed?
A: Windows Server 2003 succeeded Windows Server 2000 in the Windows Server line of operating systems.

### Q: What operating system succeeded Windows Server 2003?
A: Windows Server 2003 R2, a minor upgrade, succeeded Windows Server 2003.

## Why It Matters
Windows Server 2003 holds significance as a foundational server operating system in Microsoft's product lineage. As a version of the Windows Server line, it provided the essential software infrastructure for businesses and organizations to manage their network resources, host websites, run applications, and handle data. Its basis on Windows XP meant it brought a familiar user experience and compatibility with many existing Windows applications, while offering enhanced server-specific functionalities. The development of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition directly from Windows Server 2003 also highlights its role as a robust and adaptable platform, demonstrating Microsoft's push into 64-bit computing for both server and professional desktop environments. It was a critical step in the evolution of Microsoft's server offerings, bridging the gap between Windows 2000 Server and later iterations like Windows Server 2008, and competing in a market alongside various Linux distributions and other Unix-like systems.

## Notable For
*   Being a server operating system directly based on the Windows XP codebase.
*   Serving as the base from which Windows XP Professional x64 Edition was derived, marking an important step in 64-bit computing for personal computers.
*   Its role as a direct successor to Windows Server 2000 and a predecessor to Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows Server 2008 in Microsoft's server operating system family.
*   Offering a comprehensive suite of server roles, including file server, web server, print server, and directory service capabilities.

## Body

### Overview
Windows Server 2003 is a version of the Windows Server line of server operating systems. It is based on Windows XP. It is classified as an operating system, specifically designed for server roles such as file server, name server, web server, router, directory service, print server, and Certificate server.

### Development and Release
Windows Server 2003 was developed by Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation. Its inception date was April 24, 2003. During its development, it was known by the working title "Whistler Server."

### Product Lineage
Windows Server 2003 followed Windows Server 2000. It was later followed by Windows Server 2003 R2, which was a minor upgrade, and subsequently by Windows Server 2008. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, an operating system for personal computers with the x64 CPU architecture, was derived from Windows Server 2003.

### Naming and Aliases
The entity is known by several aliases, including Windows 2003, Win2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows 2003 Server, Win2k3, WS2k3, Windows XP Professional x64, WS2003, and W2K3.

### Licensing
Windows Server 2003 is available under various licensing models, including shareware, Microsoft Software Assurance, and Client access license.

### Related Software and Compatibility
Software applications that run on or require Windows Server 2003 include:
*   Autorun Maestro (CD menu software)
*   ABBYY FineReader 11 (optical character recognition application)
*   PowerChute Business Edition Basic (power management software)
*   Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro (Pro edition of version 9 of Adobe Acrobat)

### Competitors and Alternatives
Windows Server 2003 competed with and had alternatives in the server operating system market, including:
*   CentOS (Linux distribution)
*   ReactOS (free software Windows NT-like operating system)
*   OpenBSD (security-focused Unix-like operating system)
*   Fedora Linux (Linux distribution)
*   Slackware (Linux distribution)
*   Ubuntu (Linux distribution)
*   Debian (Linux distribution)
*   Gentoo Linux (Linux distribution)
*   Hurd (general-purpose kernel)
*   FreeBSD (free Unix-like operating system)

### Identifiers and Resources
*   **Official Website:** http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/
*   **User Manual URL:** https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc706993.aspx
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Windows Server 2003
*   **Commons Category:** Windows Server 2003
*   **Stack Exchange Tags:** windows-server-2003, windows-server
*   **GND ID:** 4717241-1
*   **YSO ID:** 14527
*   **BabelNet ID:** 01352469n
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/01dj_j
*   **Quora Topic:** Windows-Server-2003
*   **Zhihu Topic ID:** 19643407
*   **NL CR AUT ID:** ph202530

### Copyright Status
Windows Server 2003 is copyrighted.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
3. BabelNet