Ask HN: Is there a cut-down/minimal version of Windows for running on servers?

There was Windows Server Nano, but now it's a Container "OS" only? [1]

Edit: ahh Server Core is probably what you're looking for as the base OS [2].

W7 or W10 stripped down to bones with NTLite. Their forums have various tested presets if don't have time, and can answer questions.

There're always hacker's versions on torrent sites

desktop one in mine is always from there