Headless Server

[iGPR3]

Hi there, quick question. I want to run my old PC as a Windows server for game hosting that I can just fire up quickly and control from my main computer. The server won't be on 24/7, so I was unsure how I would go about connecting to it after simply powering it up. What apps would I use and would they let me boot straight into windows and connect to it without manually starting up any apps on the server?

[kittyducky06]

do you mind using non licenced windows cuz the built in Remote desktop in windows pro isnt the most feature rich product but it is simple and works well im my experience.

[Crunchy Dragon]

I would install Windows 10 Pro and just use RDP from your main system.

[RONOTHAN##]

First off, I just want to clarify the use of the word "headless" in this scenario. Are you referring to just not having the monitor hooked up to it, or not having a GPU installed at all? If it's the latter, you'll want to check that the motherboard actually supports GPU-less operation, as quite a few motherboards will not boot at all if they don't have a GPU installed (every MSI board I've owned, for instance, won't make it to an operating system if there isn't a GPU). If there is a GPU installed, some systems can still throw a fit if they aren't hooked up to a monitor, though admittedly this can be solved by just buying a dummy display adapter on Amazon for cheap. 

 

As for how to connect, the two options are RDP and VNC. RDP (Microsoft's built-in remote desktop protocol) is the more feature rich standard, though it's also not quite as well supported and only works if you're using Windows Pro/Enterprise editions. VNC is ol' reliable in comparison, it's very basic and the performance is mediocre, but it's functional enough to let you start an app then exit the window. 

[Needfuldoer]

If it's running Windows Pro, set up Remote Desktop.

 

If it's running Windows Home, install a VNC server or use TeamViewer.

 

If the computer complains about not having a monitor attached, stick a dummy plug into whichever output it has.

[iGPR3]

6 minutes ago, kittyducky06 said:

do you mind using non licenced windows cuz the built in Remote desktop in windows pro isnt the most feature rich product but it is simple and works well im my experience.

I'm fine with using whatever third-party, non licenced junk, as long as it works well. I've always used non licenced windows on my server so that's no issue.

2 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

First off, I just want to clarify the use of the word "headless" in this scenario. Are you referring to just not having the monitor hooked up to it, or not having a GPU installed at all? If it's the latter, you'll want to check that the motherboard actually supports GPU-less operation, as quite a few motherboards will not boot at all if they don't have a GPU installed (every MSI board I've owned, for instance, won't make it to an operating system if there isn't a GPU). If there is a GPU installed, some systems can still throw a fit if they aren't hooked up to a monitor, though admittedly this can be solved by just buying a dummy display adapter on Amazon for cheap. 

 

As for how to connect, the two options are RDP and VNC. RDP (Microsoft's built-in remote desktop protocol) is the more feature rich standard, though it's also not quite as well supported and only works if you're using Windows Pro/Enterprise editions. VNC is ol' reliable in comparison, it's very basic and the performance is mediocre, but it's functional enough to let you start an app then exit the window. 

By "headless" I'm referring to not having a display plugged up, and instead using a remote connection from my main PC to access the server's desktop. It has an iGPU that works fine so I won't run into issues there. It only boots to the BIOS right now but I'm just setting up my HDDs and installing windows to it now.

From what you've said, I'll probably go with VNC as my main PC is only running the home version of windows, and I'm not trying to game on it so I don't need crazy performance. As long as I can start up and browse files quickly, I'm easy.

[kittyducky06]

6 minutes ago, iGPR3 said:

I'm fine with using whatever third-party, non licenced junk, as long as it works well. I've always used non licenced windows on my server so that's no issue.

By "headless" I'm referring to not having a display plugged up, and instead using a remote connection from my main PC to access the server's desktop. It has an iGPU that works fine so I won't run into issues there. It only boots to the BIOS right now but I'm just setting up my HDDs and installing windows to it now.

From what you've said, I'll probably go with VNC as my main PC is only running the home version of windows, and I'm not trying to game on it so I don't need crazy performance. As long as I can start up and browse files quickly, I'm easy.

As long as the server has PRO the client can be home. and its not janky just instal pro when you install windows and never activate it.

[RONOTHAN##]

5 minutes ago, iGPR3 said:

By "headless" I'm referring to not having a display plugged up, and instead using a remote connection from my main PC to access the server's desktop. It has an iGPU that works fine so I won't run into issues there. It only boots to the BIOS right now but I'm just setting up my HDDs and installing windows to it now.

Ok, that's what it sounded like, it's just that whenever I hear "headless" it's usually to refer to systems without a GPU in general so I just wanted to make sure. 

 

If you think VNC is the best route for you, go for it, it's been around forever and there's a ton of guides on how to set it up. Just know it's a little more jank than RDP since it's not baked into Windows natively. 

[iGPR3]

14 minutes ago, kittyducky06 said:

As long as the server has PRO the client can be home. and its not janky just instal pro when you install windows and never activate it.

Ah okay! That sounds much better then. I'll probably just use that instead.

13 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Ok, that's what it sounded like, it's just that whenever I hear "headless" it's usually to refer to systems without a GPU in general so I just wanted to make sure. 

 

If you think VNC is the best route for you, go for it, it's been around forever and there's a ton of guides on how to set it up. Just know it's a little more jank than RDP since it's not baked into Windows natively. 

From what @kittyducky06 has said, I think I'll go with RDP then as I can just use inactivated windows PRO on the server and use my home installation to control it.

 

Thanks for your help guys!

[kittyducky06]

5 minutes ago, iGPR3 said:

Ah okay! That sounds much better then. I'll probably just use that instead.

From what @kittyducky06 has said, I think I'll go with RDP then as I can just use inactivated windows PRO on the server and use my home installation to control it.

 

Thanks for your help guys!

sweet good luck