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. Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 was the final release as an independent SKU and has been superseded by the MultiPoint Services role in Windows Server 2016.
Versions
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010
This version was planned in January 2010 but was released in February 2010 and is based on Windows Server 2008 R2. 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-monitorvideo card, mouse, keyboard and monitor that is supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 can be used to build a station. 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, but requires a Windows Server 2008 R2CALand 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.
Distribution through a wider variety of distribution channels for both editions
In addition, unlike Windows MultiPoint Server 2010, Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 has Standard and Premium editions. The following table compares the two editions' differences; they share all other features equally.
Windows MultiPoint Server 2012
On November 27, 2012, Microsoft released Windows MultiPoint Server 2012 to manufacturing. This is the first version of MultiPoint to be based on Windows Server 2012, and contains several new features and upgrades from previous versions:
The addition of the MultiPoint Dashboard, an application that allows specific non-administrator users to monitor and interact with user desktops
The ability to create stations from virtual machines running on the WMS server Premium - Not available on the Standard version.
Disk protection, a server feature that discards changes made to the server during user sessions similar to Windows SteadyState
Windows Server 2016 now includes MultiPoint Services as a role. Includes the ability to deploy a server in a multipoint role.
Windows Server, version 1803
In Windows Server, version 1803, Microsoft is no longer developing the MultiPoint Services role as part of Windows Server. Only the MultiPoint Connector services are available through Feature on Demand for both Windows Server and Windows 10.
