How to install Windows Server 2012 R2? Many users want to find a full guide. If you are one of them, you come to the right place. This post from MiniTool introduces how to install and configure the operating system.
Windows Server 2012 R2 was launched on November 25, 2013, and reached its extended end of support on October 10, 2023. The Windows Server 2012 R2 has four editions: Foundation, Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter. Now, many users still want to try Windows Server 2012/2012 R2. This post teaches you how to install Windows Server 2012 R2.
What to Do Before Install Windows Server 2012/2012 R2
What to do before you install Windows Server 2012 R2? There are 2 things you need to pay attention to.
1. Check If Your PC Meets the System Requirements
First, you need to check if your PC meets the system requirements. The following are the system requirements for installing Windows Server 2012/2012 R2.
- Windows Server 2012 R2 license for legal activation
- Memory (RAM): at least 512 MB
- Processor (CPU): at least 1.4 GHz 64-bit
- Hard disk space (HDD): at least 32 GB
- Graphics (VGA): at least DirectX9.0
2. Back up Important Data
During the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation process, your files will be deleted. Thus, the second thing you need to do is back up your important data before the clean install. To do this work, the PC backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker is suitable.
MiniTool ShadowMaker provides data protection services and disaster recovery solutions for PCs, Servers, and Workstations. It supports Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2012 R2. It allows you to back up systems, back up files, clone SSD to larger SSD, etc.
Now, get MiniTool ShadowMaker by clicking the following download button and install it on your PC.
MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
1. Double-click the icon of MiniTool ShadowMaker to launch it to its main interface.
2. When going to the Backup tab, you can see this software backs up the system by default. You can go to Folders and Files and choose the files you want to back up. Then, go to DESTINATION to select a storage path.
3. Click Back Up Now to start backing up immediately.
How to Install Windows Server 2012/2012 R2
Now, let’s see how to clean install Windows Server 2012 R2.
1. Download the Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 ISO from the Microsoft official website.
2. Once the download is complete, burn the Windows Server 2012 ISO file to a USB drive via Rufus.
3. Insert your Windows Server 2012 R2 installation media into the PC and boot your PC from it.
4. Once you see the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD..” message on the screen, press the Enter key.
5. Now, choose the language, time and current format, and keyboard or input method. Then, click Next.
6. Click Install Now to continue.
7. Select the operating system you want to install. Here, it’s recommended to choose Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Evaluation (Server with a GUI).
8. Next, choose the type of installation you want. Here are 2 ways and you can choose the second option.
- Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications
- Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
9. Select Drive 0 Unallocated Space and click Next.
10. Then, it will start to install Windows Server 2012 R2 and you just need to wait patiently.
How to Configure Windows Server 2012/2012 R2
How to configure Windows Server 2012/ 2012 R2?
1. After restarting the system several times automatically, the system will start and you will see the Settings page where you must set a security password for the administrator user. Then, enter the password twice and click the Finish button.
2. Next, you need to press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys together to sign in.
3. Enter the password you specified in the previous step and press the Enter button.
4. After you log in, Windows Server will show you the Server Manager application.
![How to Upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 to 2019? [Step by Step]](https://mt-test.minitool.com/images/uploads/2022/07/upgrade-windows-server-2012-r2-to-2019-thumbnail.png)
Final Words
Do you want to clean install Windows Server 2012? How to install Windows Server 2012 R2? After reading this post, you know it. Also, what to do before the installation is also told to you. Now, don’t hesitate to install Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 by following the guide.
Install Windows Server 2012 R2 FAQ
2. Go to the Server Roles page.
3. Expand File and Storage Services (1 of 12 installed) > File and iSCSI Services > File Server Resource Manager.
4. Click Add features and Next.
2. Then, go to System and Security > Windows Update.
3. Then, click Check for updates from the left-hand side of the screen.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.