Install and Deploy Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012

 

Applies To: Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2

Use the articles in this section to learn how to install and deploy Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012.

Did you know that Microsoft Azure provides similar functionality in the cloud? Learn more about Microsoft Azure virtualization solutions. Create a hybrid virtualization solution in Microsoft Azure: - Create and upload a Windows Server VHD to Azure

Windows Server 2012 R2

• Windows Server 2012 R2 Update
  This topic summarizes the features included in the Windows Server 2012 R2 Update. Related updates have also been released for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 RT.

• System Requirements and Installation Information for Windows Server 2012 R2
  This document provides information about installing the Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system, including important steps to take prior to installation, supported upgrade paths for the release, and information about installing versions distributed as virtual hard disk (VHD) files.

• Release Notes: Important Issues in Windows Server 2012 R2
  These release notes address the most critical issues and information about the Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system.

• Upgrade Options for Windows Server 2012 R2
  This document summarizes key information about the supported upgrade paths from previously licensed retail versions of Windows Server to Windows Server 2012 R2.

• Features Removed or Deprecated in Windows Server 2012 R2
  These features and functionalities in Windows Server 2012 R2 have either been removed from the product in the current release or are planned for potential removal in subsequent releases (“deprecated”).

• Common Management Tasks and Navigation in Windows
  Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 feature the new Modern user interface. This topic helps you find and open common management tools, create shortcuts to frequently used programs, run programs with elevated privileges, and perform common tasks such signing in and out, restarting, and shutting down computers that are running Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012.

Windows Server 2012

• Installing Windows Server 2012
  This document provides information about installing the Windows Server 2012 operating system, including any known issues that you might need to work around before starting an installation. It also provides information that you can use to troubleshoot problems that may occur during the installation.

• Release Notes: Important Issues in Windows Server 2012
  These release notes address the most critical issues and information about the Windows Server 2012 operating system. For information about by-design changes, new features, and fixes in this release, see documentation and announcements from the specific feature teams.

• Evaluation Versions and Upgrade Options for Windows Server 2012
  This document summarizes key information about evaluation versions of Windows Server 2012, including where to obtain them, the limits on their use, and how to convert them to full retail versions. It also summarizes the supported upgrade paths from previously licensed retail versions of Windows Server to Windows Server 2012.

• Windows Server Installation Options
  This document summarizes the differences between the installation options available for Windows Server 2012, including the features that are installed with each option, the management options available after installation, and how to switch between the installation options during use.

• Server Core and Full Server Integration Overview
  In Windows Server 2012, the Server Core installation option is no longer an irrevocable selection that is made during setup. An administrator now has the flexibility to change to a Server Core installation or a full, GUI-based installation as needed, after operating system installation is finished.

• Configure and Manage Server Core Installations
  This collection of topics provides the information needed to install and deploy Server Core servers; install, manage, and uninstall server roles and features; and manage the server locally or remotely. It also includes a quick reference table of common tasks and the commands for accomplishing them locally on a Server Core server.

• Features Removed or Deprecated in Windows Server 2012
  This is a list of features and functionalities in Windows Server 2012 that have either been removed from the product in the current release or are planned for potential removal in subsequent releases. The list is intended for IT pros who are updating operating systems in a commercial environment.

• Common Management Tasks and Navigation in Windows
  Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 feature the new Windows user interface. This topic helps you find and open common management tools, create shortcuts to frequently used programs, run programs with elevated user rights, and perform common tasks such as signing in and out, restarting, and shutting down computers that are running Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.