Install and configure different versions of Windows Server

The Windows Server system is different from the simple operating system we used to see at home. In fact, it is the same product, but it is designed for use in companies, offices and other places where the consolidation of multiple computers under a single server is required.

Windows Server is a very popular and useful program with many interesting and convenient features.

Although this version of the system is different, it is as simple to use as Windows 8 or other versions, and installing such software does not require much knowledge and time. So if you decide to install Windows Server yourself, we will tell you how to do this and focus on the initial configuration of the system, the VPN parameter and other issues that interest many users - for example, how to remove a service in Windows Server 2008 R2.

Installing the server version of Windows

Note that there are several versions of this software - 2003, 2008 and 2012. Based on the fact that the latest versions are always in higher priority, we will look at how Windows Server 2012 is installed. Even if you are wondering how to install Windows Server 2008 R2, do not worry - the two processes are almost the same, so you can easily find out the instructions below.

So, the installation of Windows Server 2012 R2 is done as follows:

  1. Go to the computer BIOS and install the boot from CD-ROM.
  2. Insert a disk with the image of the system, start your PC so that it starts booting from external media.
  3. After the download, a window will appear where you need to specify the language, keyboard layout, and time zone - do this, follow further.
  4. Click "Install".
  5. You will be prompted to select a system - there are several versions of server software. Select the required version, click "Next".
  6. Accept the license terms.
  7. Choose the type of installation - if you install the Server from scratch, you should only select the Custom option.
  8. Specify the drive where the system will be delivered, if necessary, divide the disk into several sections. When dividing, you need to agree to create partitions for system files.
  9. By the way, the “Primary” partition of the hard disk is usually selected.
  10. Click "Next", and wait until the software is downloaded to the PC.
  11. After the reboot, you have to create a password to log in to your account - choose a reliable and complex combination, if you wish, change the user name.
  12. Next, you will see the system start window, where it will be written that you need to press Ctrl + Alt + Del - do it, and enter the password you just created.
  13. This completes the installation of Windows Server - as you can see, there is nothing complicated in the process, almost all actions are performed automatically under your guidance.

System Setup

This process is somewhat different in different versions of the software, so we will look at it separately on Windows Server 2008 and 2012.

So, the initial setup of version 2008 R2 is done like this:

  1. After the first boot, you will see the “Initial Setup Tasks” menu.
  2. Set the time zone.
  3. Specify a name for the computer.
  4. Enter the VPN network settings — IP and DNS addresses, gateway data, and WINS.

How to make this computer a domain controller? To do this, you need the following:

  • Open Server Manager.
  • In the left menu, select the Roles tab.
  • Click Add roles.
  • There will be introductory information - if this is your first installation of such components, you should read it.
  • Next, select the Active Directory Domain Services role.
  • You will see the functions that will be loaded along with the role, then you should select their installation with the Add required features button.
  • Now you will see some more accompanying information that you need to install at least two controllers, set the DNS settings and run dcpromo after loading the role - this is what we will do later.
  • After reading, click "Next" and "Install" (Next, Install).
  • After installation is complete, close the window and open Start.
  • Enter dcpromo in the Run field.
  • The wizard will launch, after compatibility information click Next.
  • In the configuration selection window, stop at Create a new domain in a new forest.
  • Enter the domain name, follow on.
  • Choose a valid version of Windows Server 2008 R
  • In the additional features window, mark the DNS server, click Yes on the warning.
  • In the next menu, change the directory addresses - but only if you really need it.
  • Set a password, click "Next."
  • Check in the Summary list of installed components, if everything is fine, click Next.

After the computer restarts, the changes will take effect.

Let's now look at how the initial configuration of VPN and other parameters on the 2012 operating system occurs.

And it is executed this way:

  1. After the first launch, the Server Manager will appear before you, select the Local Server tab.
  2. First of all, you can change the name of this computer - right-click on the current name, select Properties.
  3. In the window that opens, on the "Computer Name" tab, select "Change."
  4. Enter a new name for the PC, click OK, in the main window - “Apply”.
  5. Set the date and time - the corresponding line is in the same menu of the local server.
  6. How to configure VPN on Windows Server 2012? To do this, click on the line opposite the Ethernet and enter the necessary network data.
  7. In the window that appears, select the network adapter, in the context menu - "Properties".
  8. In the connection properties from the list, select "Internet Protocol 4".
  9. In the protocol settings, enter the required data - DNS address, subnet mask and gateway, save the changes.

And the last thing to do during initial setup is to allow access to this computer from other devices. To do this, in the Server Manager menu, select Local Server again, find the “Remote Desktop” line.

Click on the link of this line, in the window that opens, check "Allow remote connections to computer ..." and check the box below the item below - the last action is performed as desired.

Additionally

How to activate Windows Server 2012 R2? Below the line with the time zone settings in the Server Manager menu is the item "Product Code". To enter it, select this item and enter the product key in the window, click "Activate".

And yet, some users are interested in the question - how to delete a service in Windows Server 2008 R2? To do this, follow these steps:

  • Open Control Panel, System and Security.
  • Select the Administration section where the Services item will be.
  • You will see a list of services - select the one that interests you, click on its properties and in the window that appears, click on “Stop”.

Another way is to open a command prompt and enter the combination sc delete, immediately after it - the name of the service, press Enter.

That's all - now you know how to install Server 2008 R2 and 2012, configure each of these versions for initial use. We can conclude that it is not difficult to perform all the above operations, the main thing is to understand them well and follow the instructions and be attentive to the little things.