Select the appropriate Windows edition based on your needs.
Select the appropriate Windows edition based on your needs.
You're planning a new HTPC setup and need guidance on the operating system. The hardware you have—Core i5-4430, 8GB RAM, integrated graphics, 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD, and a Plex server—suggests a solid configuration for streaming or media tasks. For the OS, Windows Server 2019 offers good stability and features for such environments. Between 2012 R2 and 2016, 2019 provides better security updates and performance improvements, making it a safer choice unless you have specific legacy requirements. Consider 2019 for reliability and future-proofing.
I wouldn’t stress about getting an SSD for the operating system if it needs constant availability. My take would be focusing on cost and licensing—server licenses aren’t inexpensive. The 2012 R2 model remains quite useful. Still, since I haven’t used server OSes recently, I might have the most to offer.
You need to obtain an enterprise key through a different process. The current option only allows purchasing for home, pro, or workstation, not enterprise keys. Since you're already using the school-provided key, you should contact your IT department or support team to request a new enterprise license. They can guide you on how to replace it with your own without affecting other users.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll explore Windows 10 Enterprise next.