Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and Windows Server 2012 Essentials
Updated: May 21, 2014
Applies To: Windows Server 2012 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials (the latest version of Windows Server Essentials) is a flexible, affordable, and easy-to-use server solution designed and priced for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is an ideal first server, and it can also be used as the primary server in a multi-server environment for small businesses. For more information, see What's New in Windows Server Essentials and download the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials evaluation.
Windows Server Essentials is now available as the Windows Server Essentials Experience server role in the Standard and Datacenter editions of Windows Server 2012 R2. Installing Windows Server Essentials Experience in Windows Server 2012 R2 provides you with all the features and functionalities (such as the Dashboard, client computer backups, and Remote Web Access) of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials without the locks and limits that are imposed on it. For more information about this new server role, see the Windows Server Essentials Experience Overview.
Windows Server 2012 Essentials is the previous version of Windows Server Essentials.
In this library
For information about installing, configuring, managing, using, and troubleshooting Windows Server Essentials, see the following documentation:
Updates and downloads
Windows Server Essentials Connector for Windows Server 2012 R2
Updates: see Support Windows Server Essentials
Training and virtual labs
Before you start, read the minimum system requirements. Select a virtual lab from the list, and then in the application called "holSystems LaunchPad Online," click Run to launch the lab.
Deploying and Managing your Small Business with Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
Training Course: Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials (seven one-hour modules)
End-to-end solution guides
To learn how to centralize data storage, restrict data access permissions, and back up your data both on-premises and in the cloud, see Provide data protection in small and midsize businesses.
To learn how to securely access business data on any Internet-connected device from any location, see Secure remote access in small and midsize businesses.
To learn how to securely collaborate with partners and vendors, see Improve collaboration in small and midsize businesses.