Customize and Deploy Windows Server Essentials in Windows Server 2012 R2

Applies To: Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

OEMs can customize and deploy Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials before the server is shipped to a customer. Use the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) and the information in the following topics to customize and deploy Windows Server Essentials. Windows Server Essentials Experience is a new server role in Windows Server 2012 R2. You can download the Windows ADK from the Microsoft Download Center.

Hardware requirements for Windows Server Essentials

Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install. Processor performance depends not only on the clock frequency of the processor, but also on the number of cores and the size of the processor cache. Storage space requirements for the system partition are approximate. Additional available storage space may be required if you are installing over a network.

Component	Minimum	Recommended*	Maximum
CPU socket	1.4 GHz (64-bit processor) or faster for single core 1.3 GHz (64-bit processor) or faster for multi-core	3.1 GHz (64-bit processor) or faster multi-core	2 sockets
Memory (RAM)	2 GB 4GB if you deploy Server Essentials as a Virtual Machine	16 GB	64 GB
Hard disks and available storage space	160 GB hard disk with a 60 GB system partition		No limit

*The recommended hardware requirements support maximum user and device limits.

Additional hardware and software requirements

Component	Description
Network adapter	Gigabit Ethernet adapter (10/100/1000baseT PHY/MAC)
Internet	Some functionality may require Internet access (fees may apply) or a Microsoft Account
Supported Client Operating Systems	Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Macintosh OS X 10.5 to 10.8. Note Some features require professional or higher editions. 1 GB of available hard drive space (a portion of this disk will be freed after installation)
Router	A router or firewall that supports IPv4 NAT or IPv6
Additional requirements	DVD-ROM drive

For more information about the hardware requirements, see the Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements.

All server hardware should meet the requirements established in the Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK). For more information, see Windows Hardware Certification Kit (HCK).

See Also

Content type	Reference
Preconfiguration options	Configure a Router - Windows Server Essentials | Configure Server Storage - Windows Server Essentials | Customize Deployment - Windows Server Essentials
Customizations options	Add Post-Initial Configuration Customizations (PostIC.cmd) - Windows Server Essentials | Add Tasks and Links to Dashboard Home Page - Windows Server Essentials | Add Health Alerts - Windows Server Essentials | Configure Support for a Wireless Network - Windows Server Essentials | Customize Server Backup - Windows Server Essentials | Customize Shared Folders - Windows Server Essentials | Install Add-Ins - Windows Server Essentials | Add Branding - Windows Server Essentials | Add a Tab to Settings - Windows Server Essentials | Add Top-Level Categories to the Launchpad (Macintosh Operating System) | Change Media Streaming Settings - Windows Server Essentials | Change the Color of the Dashboard and Launchpad -Windows Server Essentials | Order and Group Dashboard Tabs - Windows Server Essentials | Add Third-Level Domain Names - Windows Server Essentials | Replace the List of Domain Name Providers - Windows Server Essentials | Customize the Default Online Backup Service task - Windows Server Essentials | Customize Client Backup - Windows Server Essentials | Install Add-Ins During Setup - Windows Server Exxentials | Add POR ID - Windows Server Essentials | Replace O365 Integration Module Endpoint URLs - Windows Server Essentials
Deployment preparation	Preparing the Image for Deployment - Windows Server Essentials
Testing	Testing the Customer Experience - Windows Server Essentials