From Active Directory design to Hyper-V virtualisation and Remote Desktop Services, Record Group delivers expert Windows Server deployment, management, and support. We keep your Microsoft infrastructure secure, compliant, and performing at its best.
Selecting the correct Windows Server version and edition is critical for performance, licensing costs, and long-term supportability. We guide you through the options and handle every aspect of deployment.
Windows Server 2022
The latest release brings advanced multi-layer security, Azure hybrid capabilities, and a flexible application platform. Key features include Secured-core server, TLS 1.3 by default, DNS-over-HTTPS, Azure Arc integration, and Storage Migration Service. We recommend Server 2022 for all new deployments and are experienced in migrating organisations from older versions.
Windows Server 2019
Still widely deployed and fully supported until January 2029. Server 2019 offers excellent stability for organisations that prefer a proven platform. It includes Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, Storage Spaces Direct, and Kubernetes support. We provide full management and support for existing Server 2019 environments.
Migration from 2012/2016
Windows Server 2012 R2 reached end of extended support in October 2023, and Server 2016 mainstream support ended in January 2022. If you are still running these versions, your servers are at risk from unpatched vulnerabilities. We plan and execute migrations with minimal downtime, handling AD upgrades, application compatibility testing, and data migration.
Licensing Guidance
Windows Server licensing is notoriously complex. We help you choose between Standard and Datacenter editions, calculate the correct number of core-based licences, manage Client Access Licences (CALs) for users and devices, and ensure audit compliance. Our guidance has saved clients thousands in unnecessary licensing costs.
Our Windows Server Services
End-to-End Windows Server Expertise
Our Microsoft-certified engineers design, deploy, and manage Windows Server environments of every size, from single-server offices to multi-site enterprises with complex Active Directory forests.
Active Directory Design & Management
We design and implement Active Directory environments from the ground up, including forest and domain architecture, organisational unit structures, site topology, and trust relationships. For existing environments, we audit, optimise, and remediate health issues.
Group Policy Management (GPO)
Strategic Group Policy design and implementation for security baselines, software deployment, drive mapping, printer deployment, desktop restrictions, and Windows Update management. We create clean, well-documented GPO structures that are easy to maintain.
Windows Server Deployment & Configuration
New server builds using best practices, including Windows Deployment Services (WDS) for standardised images, PowerShell DSC for desired state configuration, and thorough post-deployment hardening. We document everything and hand over clean, production-ready servers.
Hyper-V Virtualisation
Design and deployment of Hyper-V virtual infrastructure, from standalone hosts to failover clusters with live migration and replication. We manage VM lifecycle, resource allocation, checkpoint strategies, and integration with Azure for hybrid disaster recovery.
Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
Full RDS deployment including session-based desktops, RemoteApp publishing, RD Gateway for secure external access, RD Web Access portal, and multi-factor authentication integration. We optimise performance for smooth user experiences even over limited bandwidth.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
Centralised patch management with WSUS, including update approval workflows, computer targeting groups, compliance reporting, and scheduled deployment windows. We ensure your servers and workstations are patched without disrupting business operations.
DNS & DHCP Management
Design and management of Windows DNS and DHCP services, including split-brain DNS, conditional forwarders, DNSSEC, DHCP failover, reservations, and scope management. We ensure name resolution and IP addressing are reliable and properly documented.
File & Print Services
Windows file server deployment with DFS namespaces and replication, NTFS permissions, access-based enumeration, shadow copies, and quotas. Print server management with driver deployment, printer pooling, and usage tracking.
Certificate Services (PKI/CA)
Windows Certificate Authority deployment for internal PKI, including root and subordinate CA hierarchy, certificate templates, auto-enrolment via Group Policy, OCSP responders, and CRL distribution. Essential for securing internal web services, Wi-Fi authentication, and VPN connections.
Failover Clustering & High Availability
Windows Server Failover Clustering for business-critical workloads including Hyper-V, SQL Server, and file services. We design quorum configurations, configure cluster networking, test failover scenarios, and implement Storage Spaces Direct for hyper-converged infrastructure.
Active Directory
Active Directory — The Heart of Your Windows Network
Active Directory is the foundation of identity management, access control, and policy enforcement in every Windows environment. A well-designed AD is invisible to users but critical to security and productivity. A poorly-designed one causes daily frustration and security risks.
AD design — forest, domain, OU, and site topology designed for your organisation's structure and growth
User & group management — RBAC with security and distribution groups, dynamic groups, and delegation
Azure AD Connect — hybrid identity synchronisation for seamless SSO to Microsoft 365 and Azure resources
AD security — tiered administration model, LAPS for local admin passwords, Privileged Access Workstations
Group Policy — security baselines, software deployment, drive mapping, printer deployment, and lockdown policies
AD backup & DR — authoritative and non-authoritative restore procedures, AD Recycle Bin, and forest recovery planning
DC health monitoring — replication monitoring, SYSVOL health, DFSR, DNS, and Kerberos ticket verification
Windows Server Security
Defence-in-Depth for Windows Server
Windows Server security requires a layered approach. We implement defence-in-depth strategies that protect your servers from external threats, insider risks, and lateral movement by attackers who breach your perimeter.
Windows Defender for Server — real-time antimalware with cloud-delivered protection and Defender for Endpoint integration
BitLocker for server drives — full-volume encryption with TPM-backed key storage and network unlock for data centres
Windows Firewall — advanced firewall configuration with connection security rules and IPsec
Security baselines — CIS and STIG benchmark compliance with automated assessment and remediation
Audit policies — advanced audit policy configuration with centralised event log collection via Windows Event Forwarding
Just Enough Administration (JEA) — PowerShell-based delegated administration that limits what administrators can do
Credential Guard — virtualisation-based security that protects NTLM hashes and Kerberos tickets from theft
Attack Surface Reduction — ASR rules that block common attack techniques like Office macro abuse and script execution
Hyper-V & Virtualisation
Virtualise Your Infrastructure with Hyper-V
Hyper-V is Microsoft's enterprise hypervisor, included with Windows Server at no additional cost. It provides the virtualisation layer for running multiple operating systems on a single physical server, reducing hardware costs and improving resilience.
VM deployment & management — Generation 2 VMs with Secure Boot, vTPM, and dynamic memory
Live migration — move running VMs between hosts with zero downtime for maintenance and load balancing
Hyper-V Replica — asynchronous replication for disaster recovery with automatic failover capabilities
Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) — software-defined storage using local disks for hyper-converged infrastructure
Network virtualisation — SET teaming, virtual switches, VLAN tagging, and QoS for VM network traffic
Azure Arc integration — manage on-premises Hyper-V alongside Azure resources through a single portal
Nested virtualisation — for development, testing, and containerised workloads within VMs
Remote Desktop Services
Secure Remote Access with RDS
Remote Desktop Services enables your workforce to access Windows applications and full desktops from anywhere, on any device. We deploy, secure, and optimise RDS environments for reliable remote working.
Session-Based Desktops & VDI
Deploy shared session hosts for cost-effective multi-user access, or personal VDI desktops for users who need dedicated environments. We right-size the infrastructure to balance performance, cost, and user experience.
RemoteApp Publishing
Publish individual applications rather than full desktops. Users launch RemoteApp programs that look and feel like local applications but run on the server. Ideal for line-of-business applications, accounting software, and legacy apps.
RD Gateway & MFA
Secure external access through RD Gateway with SSL encryption, eliminating the need for VPN. We integrate multi-factor authentication via Azure MFA or Duo Security to prevent unauthorised access, even if credentials are compromised.
Performance Optimisation
RDS performance tuning including user profile management with FSLogix, session host resource allocation, GPU acceleration for graphics-intensive applications, and network optimisation for remote sites with limited bandwidth.
RDS Licensing Management
RDS licensing is complex and frequently audited by Microsoft. We configure RD Licensing servers, manage per-user and per-device CALs, ensure compliance, and help you choose the most cost-effective licensing model for your usage patterns.
RD Web Access Portal
A branded web portal where users log in to access their published desktops and RemoteApp applications from any device with a web browser. We customise the portal with your organisation's branding and configure single sign-on.
Cloud Integration
Hybrid Cloud with Azure
Modern Windows Server environments increasingly bridge on-premises infrastructure with Azure cloud services. We design and implement hybrid architectures that give you the best of both worlds — the control of on-premises with the flexibility of cloud.
Azure hybrid scenarios — extend your on-premises AD, DNS, and file services into Azure for resilience and scalability
Azure Backup — cloud backup for Windows Server with long-term retention, encryption, and granular recovery
Azure Site Recovery — automated disaster recovery that replicates VMs to Azure for rapid failover
Windows Admin Centre — modern web-based management for your entire Windows Server estate from a single pane of glass
Azure Arc — manage on-premises servers alongside Azure resources with consistent policies, monitoring, and updates
Azure File Sync — tier infrequently accessed files to Azure while keeping hot data on local servers for fast access
Support Tiers
Flexible Windows Server Support
Choose the support model that matches your needs and budget. Every tier includes access to our Microsoft-certified engineers and proactive monitoring tools.
Whether you are deploying a new Active Directory, migrating from Server 2012, or need 24/7 managed support for your existing Windows infrastructure, our Microsoft-certified engineers are ready to help. Get in touch for a free consultation.
