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Drop 'Desktop Experience' Requirement for Windows

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06-08-2025 03:44 PM
Status: Open
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JoshuaBixby
by MVP Esteemed Contributor
MVP Esteemed Contributor

I realize the following will not get much attention within Esri Community because most Esri Community members are not on the IT service delivery side of GIS, but change has to start somewhere....

Still in 2025 with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5, installing ArcGIS Server requires the 'Desktop Experience option' on Windows Servers.  From ArcGIS Server 11.5 system requirements - ArcGIS Enterprise | Documentation for ArcGIS Enterprise:

Note:
  • The Desktop Experience option is required on all versions of Windows Server.

Why oh why is Desktop Experience still required with Windows Server installations after 17 years since Microsoft introduced Server Core with Windows Server 2008?

Infrastructure as code (IaC)  is far from a new idea, and Esri already supports several automated on-premises deployment patterns (script-based silent installation, Chef cookbooks, PowerShell DSC), so it is time for Esri to remove a Desktop Experience requirement for a product that does not require a GUI to deploy, configure, and manage.

2 Comments
DEWright_CA
by
‎06-08-2025 09:14 PM

I think you will see one of the major elements is the use of the graphics drivers at the OS level for Printing functionality and services.

JoshuaBixby
by MVP Esteemed Contributor
‎06-09-2025 06:41 AM

@DEWright_CA , when looking at the requirements for Linux:  ArcGIS Server 11.5 system requirements- ArcGIS Enterprise | Documentation for ArcGIS Enterprise:

The X Window System package group is required on the machine to run the following using the operating system graphical user interface (GUI):

  • ArcGIS Server installation wizard
  • ArcGIS Software Authorization Wizard
  • Check for Updates tool

Linux only requires an X Window System, i.e., Linux Desktop Experience equivalent, if one is going to use GUI install or configuration tools.  There is no mention of needing a desktop to support printing functionality, and printing functionality is supported on Linux.