Windows Server Essentials is an ideal first server for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. For organizations with up to users and devices, you can now use Windows Server R2 with the Windows Server Essentials Experience role installed. This topic addresses both scenarios. Windows Server Essentials Experience is a role in Windows Server that enables you to take advantage of all the features windows server essentials 2012 r2 vs 2016 free download as Remote Web Access and PC backup that are available to you in Windows Server Essentials without the locks and limits that are enforced in Windows Server Essentials.
This server role is also available in Windows Server Essentials and is enabled by default. Before you install Windows Server Essentials or the Essentials Experience role, note the following limitations. Download Windows Server Download Windows Server Essentials. This document provides step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring Windows Server Essentials.
Depending on your network environment, you have the following installation options available to you:. Windows Server Essentials Product Overview. System Requirements for Windows Server Essentials. Windows Server Essentials provides a way for you to quickly set up an Windows server essentials 2012 r2 vs 2016 free download Directory environment and related server features.
However, you must complete some steps to configure your server. In Time settingsmake sure your date, time, and time zone are correct, and then click Next. In Company Informationtype your company name, such as Contoso,Ltd. Windows server essentials 2012 r2 vs 2016 free download, you can change the internal domain name and server name.
The server will restart multiple times during the configuration process, and your logons will be automatic until the configuration is finished. This process takes about 20 minutes. On the desktop, click the Dashboard icon to start the server Dashboard.
On the Home page, complete the Getting Started tasks listed on the Setup tab. After you have completed the server configuration, the server that is running Windows Server Essentials will be set up as a domain controller. In the dialog box, click Add Featuresand then click Next.
In the pages that follow, click Nextand then on the confirmation page, click Install. After the installation is complete, Windows Server Essentials Experience should be listed as a server role in Server Manager. You can also deploy Windows Server Essentials if your organization already has an existing Active Directory environment.
In addition, you can choose if you want to deploy Windows Server Essentials as a domain controller. If you want this server to be a domain controller, set up the server as a replica domain controller. If you do not want this server to be a domain controller, join this server to your domain by using the Windows native tools.
After the installation is complete, Windows Server Essentials Experience will be listed as a server role in Server Manager. Follow the wizard to configure Windows Server Essentials. Depending on your Active Directory configuration, you will be informed whether you are configuring Windows Server Essentials on a domain controller or as a domain member. Click Configure to begin the configuration. The configuration process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
You run virtual machines by using the Hyper-V management tools on a server running Hyper-V. From a licensing perspective, Windows Server Essentials allows you to set up the Hyper-V role and virtualize your environment. The license allows you to set up another guest operating system that is running Windows Server Essentials.
The availability of these options is predefined by your system provider and both options may not always be available. Run the following command to start the configuration to set up Windows Server Essentials as a domain controller:. Run the following command to start the configuration to set up Windows Server Essentials as an existing domain member.
To get the immediate progress without the progress bar, run Get-WssConfigurationStatus. What's New in Windows Server Essentials. Install Windows Server Essentials. Get Started with Windows Server Essentials. Feedback will be windows server essentials 2012 r2 vs 2016 free download to Microsoft: By pressing the submit button, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Privacy policy.
Skip to main content. Contents Exit focus mode. Note Do not use the default Administrator account name and password. Important You cannot change the server name after you have configured Windows Server Essentials. Is this page helpful?
Yes No. Any additional feedback? Skip Submit. Virtualize your environment.