Windows Server 2003 (the OS formerly known as Windows.NET Server) was released on April 24, 2003 and comes in 3 forms: Web, Standard, and Enterprise. Windows Server 2003 is similar to Windows XP but with extra server stuff and without the unprofessional themes. There are reportedly some minor differences under the hood from Windows XP. Windows 2003 Server also identifies itself as Windows NT 5.2 whereas XP is NT 5.1 so this is a distinctly different version of Windows.

The Server 2003 installer is exactly the same as the one from Windows XP, just colored gray to match to OS. Windows 2003 Server has Product Activation, but it is not always used depending on which version it is.

You will quickly find that Windows Server 2003 is much more strict than XP or previous NT server products.

The boot screen is just like that of XP, except, again, colored gray instead of blue (XP Pro) or green (XP Home).

The login screen still does the same old "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" thing...

If you had a "unexpected shutdown" (meaning that you got pissed at the machine and pushed the tower onto the floor, thereby yanking out the power cord), then you have to tell it what happened before it will let you logon.

The default options are: Other (Unplanned), Other Failure (System Unresponsive), System Failure: Stop Error, Security issue, Power Failure: Cord unplugged, and Power failure: Environment.