How to Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Step by Step

Performing a Clean Installation:  A clean installation refers to installing the operating system onto a computer that does not have an installation present or one that you want to keep. In our example, we are dealing with a computer that has no previous installation. We are assuming that you have not done any of this before, so we are going to get back to basics. More advanced readers might be tempted to skip ahead to another section, but we recommend that you at least skim this section to see what has changed.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="580"] Windows Server 2012[/caption]

Windows Server 2012 R2 comes on a DVD. It’s a pretty large installation. Ensure your server has a DVD-ROM drive, and then insert the DVD media. Alternatively, if you are using a virtual machine, you can redirect the virtual CD/DVD to the Windows Server DVD ISO image that you have downloaded from Microsoft or created from your original media. Once the media is loaded, you should power up your server and ensure that your server boots from the DVD drive. Normally, a computer with a blank hard disk will boot from the DVD drive by default. If the computer fails to boot from the DVD, then there may be one of a few things going on. There may be a valid operating system on the hard disk that is booting up by default. You might have a boot menu available in your computer that is briefly made available during or after the Power-On Self Test (POST). Alternatively, your server might not get the option to boot from DVD because of a boot configuration. You can alter this by entering the BIOS and making a change there. These two options will vary depending on your hardware, so you should consult your hardware vendor’s documentation or contact their support desk. In most cases it will show something like “Boot Order.” We have also seen situations where we have burned the DVD from an ISO file but we used a write-speed that was too fast to ensure a good burn. In the following examples, we'll cover how to install Windows Server 2012 R2. Figure 2.1 is the fi rst screen you'll see. It allows you to customize the installation language, time and currency format, and the keyboard settings of the server. You'll need to change some settings here if the defaults do not match your language, region, and keyboard. For example, if you are in Ireland using an Irish-based keyboard, then these defaults won’t suit you at all! The time zone won't work correctly, currency symbols will be wrong, and the keyboard layout will be totally wrong. For example, you will struggle to find the backslash (\), which is kind of important in the Windows world. Topic: Install windows server 2012 (How to Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Step by Step) The “Language to install” option will vary depending on the languages supported by your DVD. Most people reading this book will probably deal with English-based media, even those in non–English speaking nations. But you may be choosing Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and so on, depending on where you are and what your company standards are. The “Time and currency format” setting affects how Windows presents and formats those regional-specific settings. You’ll probably always want to ensure that this matches the location where your server is located. The “Keyboard or input method” setting should match the keyboard that is physically attached to the computer. Keyboards can often vary from country to country, so make sure that this is correct. Don't worry; it won't affect your ability to manage a server using Remote Desktop. An RDP session will use the keyboard settings of the client computer that connects to the server. The screen shown in Figure 2.2 allows you to do a couple different things: You can troubleshoot and repair an existing installation of Windows Server 2012 R2. In this example, you’ll install Windows Server 2012 R2, so click the Install Now button. Figure 2.1 : Setup environment to install Windows

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows Server 2012 R2 installation[/caption]

Figure 2.2: Install Windows now.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_02[/caption]

Figure 2.3 : Choosing an edition and installation type.

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Figure 2.4: Agreeing to the EULA.

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Figure 2.5: Upgrade or clean installation?.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_05[/caption]

Figure 2.6: Setting up the drive to install Windows.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_06[/caption]

Figure 2.7:Drive options.

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Figure 2.8:Adding a mass storage controller driver.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_08[/caption]

Figure 2.9: Windows Server 2012 installation progress

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_09[/caption]

Figure 2.10: Setting the administrator password.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_10[/caption]

Figure 2.11: Logged in as administrator.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="622"] Windows_Server_2012-install_Step_11[/caption]

So, that’s your fi rst Windows Server 2012 R2 machine up and running. Congratulations! It doesn’t do very much, but it is a minor victory. Grab a celebratory drink of something, and then we’ll take a look at upgrading an existing installation of Windows Server to Windows Server 2012 R2.