The Desktop Experience feature allows you to install a variety of components and features that are provided in the Windows 7 operating system onto a computer that is running the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system. After you install Desktop Experience, the Windows 7 components and features, such as Windows Media Player, will appear under All Programs on the Start menu.

Note

Installing Desktop Experience does not automatically turn on any of its features or components. After installing Desktop Experience, you must manually enable or configure the features or components.

For information about installing Desktop Experience, see Install Desktop Experience on an RD Session Host Server.

What’s in the Desktop Experience feature

Desktop Experience includes the following Windows 7 components and features:

  • Windows Calendar

  • Windows Mail

  • Windows Media Player

  • Desktop themes

  • Video for Windows (AVI support)

  • Windows Photo Gallery

  • Windows SideShow

  • Windows Defender

  • Disk Cleanup

  • Sync Center

  • Sound Recorder

  • Character Map

  • Snipping Tool

Additional references

  • Configure the Client Experience on an RD Session Host Server
  • Install Desktop Experience on an RD Session Host Server