Background: AVImark (Owned by Covetrus) is a software company that provides PIMS for vet clinics. Their software requires a Windows Server and Windows server licensing because it goes beyond just working as file sharing.
I got a message on FB Messenger (Unsolicited):
John: "Hi there! I run a small MSP in mid-Michigan that handles a few vet offices. I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a bit about some things? Heck, I'm willing to pay you for your time even.
The main thing right now is that two vets that we've taken over at are running old servers (one 2008R2 and one 2012R2). The 2008R2 one is a fairly small practice. One vet. 6 PCs. They use their server only for Avimark. And they are pretty "cost conscious" about things. Because of that, I'm thinking of just moving to a new box running Windows 10 (or 11) to act as the new Avimark server. Just curious your thoughts on running on Windows desktop instead of a full Windows Server install for such a small office running only Avimark?
Thanks!"
ME: "Hi John, I am happy to help.
It's illegal to use a desktop os for a server.
You can use a desktop pc, but you must use a server os"
JOHN: Hmmm... We may need to agree to disagree on this (as many experts do), but for the sake of argument....
First, even if it was a Terms of Service violation, that would not make it illegal. TOSs are considered civil matters. It is not "illegal" to violate one. So, no, it isn't illegal.
Second, I don't believe that it violates the Windows 10 TOS. And, again, this is very commonly discussed among experts. Windows 10/11 have a 20 device limit for connections. Clearly, MS had multiple PCs accessing it in mind. They even specifically address that Windows Desktop cannot be used as a WEB server because of the 20 connection limit and that each person connecting would be considered another connection. So, since they've made it clear that you can connect up to 20 devices to Desktop -- and said that you can't use IIS as a web server on it -- then that would pretty clearly imply that you CAN use it for server purposes under 20 users. It literally has file sharing built in.
Finally, the official Hardware Requirements for Avimark specifically mention using a Windows 10 PC (running Desktop Windows, not Server) as being acceptable for a smaller office. So are you suggesting that Avimark's own Hardware Requirements recommend an illegal act?
Again, I don't mean that harshly. But this sort of thing is commonly discussion among IT professionals -- and the general consensus is that for situations with under 20 concurrent connections from different devices, the Windows license actually DOES allow this.
Note that software like Quickbooks also runs exactly like this. It is normally installed to a Workstation and shared from there. Very normal in small businesses."
This comes up so often I thought I would do a video on it. It's not a SAM quality video but it was just so bizarre to me.
Youtube Video