Installing Windows Server 2012 Step-by-Step

Windows Server 2012 R2 Hardware Requirements

As with previous Windows versions, your hardware must meet certain requirements for Windows Server 2012 R2 to function properly. First of all, Windows Server 2012 R2 requires a 64-bit processor; Microsoft has discontinued 32-bit software with this release of Windows Server. Table outlines the minimum and recommended hardware requirements for Windows Server 2012 R2 as provided by Microsoft: 

Installing a Windows Server Core Computer

• Insert the Windows Server 2012 R2 DVD-ROM and turn on your computer. You should see a message informing you that Windows is copying temporary files; if not, you should access the BIOS setup program included with your computer and modify the boot sequence so that the computer boots from the DVD.
• After a few minutes, you receive the Windows Server 2012 R2 screen. Click Install now to begin the installation.

• Windows copies temporary files and then displays the Get important updates for Windows Setup screen. If you’re connected to the Internet, select Go online to install updates now (recommended).

• On the next Install Windows screen, click Install now.
• You receive the options, which enable you to install the complete Standard or Datacenter version of Windows Server 2012 R2 with a GUI or Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core. Select the Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter (Server Core Installation) option and then click Next.

• Read License Agreement, Turn on Checkbox “I accept the license terms,” and then click Next.

• You receive the options to upgrade or install a clean copy of Windows Server 2012 R2. Select Custom (advanced) to install a clean copy of Windows Server 2012 R2. The upgrade option is available only if you have started the installation from within Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, or the original version of Windows Server 2012.

• The disk you are using should be listed. If not, you will need to Load driver. Select the disk you will be installing on. If you do not want to change drive options (optional), Click Next. If you want to use Dual boot using Native Boot To VHD (Boot2VHD), 

• Click drive options; then you can create custom partitions.

 

• It will then start copying files. This will take a while (could be 20 mins or so depending on hardware performance).It will reboot a couple times (automatically). After the first reboot, it will no longer be running off of the DVD.

• In the Password box, enter a new password for this computer. It must meet complexity requirements. Re-enter the password in the second password box, and then click Finish. 

• Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete at the same time to get the login screen 

• Enter password and press enter

• The Desktop will be displayed and Server Manager will be opened automatically.

• Pressing Windows Key on the keyboard will bring up the start screen (formerly known as Start Menu). If you Right-Click on Computer, you will see the new right-click menu is on the bottom of the screen instead of in a dropdown box. Select Properties.

• You will see that the System Properties screen looks almost identical to prior versions of windows. We can now change the computer name by clicking on Change Settings.

• Type new computer name you would like to use and click OK.

•  Click OK on the information box. Click OK to allow a restart.

• Then click Restart Now on the final dialog box.

• When the computer restarts it will have the new name, just login.