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Windows Server 2012 is a powerful operating system that is widely used in enterprise environments. If you want to set up a virtual lab or simply want to explore Windows Server 2012, VMware Workstation can be a great tool for running it on your computer. This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing Windows Server 2012 on VMware Workstation 11.
Step 1: Download Windows Server 2012 ISO file from the official Microsoft website or obtain it from your organization’s software repository.
Step 2: Open VMware Workstation 11 and click on "Create a New Virtual Machine."
Step 3: In the New Virtual Machine Wizard, select "Typical (recommended)" and click "Next."
Step 4: Browse to the location where you have saved the Windows Server 2012 ISO file and select it as the installation media. Click "Next."
Step 5: Enter a name for your virtual machine and choose a location to store its files. Click "Next."
Step 6: Assign the desired amount of memory (RAM) to the virtual machine. It is recommended to allocate at least 2GB or more depending on your system resources. Click "Next."
Step 7: Select "Use bridge networking" and click "Next." This will allow the virtual machine to have its own network connection.
Step 8: Choose "Create a new virtual disk" and click "Next."
Step 9: Specify the size of the virtual disk. The default value is usually sufficient, but you can increase it if required. Click "Next."
Step 10: Select the location to store the virtual disk files and click "Finish" to create the virtual machine.
Step 11: In the VMware Workstation window, right-click on the newly created virtual machine and select "Settings."
Step 12: In the Settings window, click on "CD/DVD (IDE)" and select "Use ISO image file." Browse to the location where you have saved the Windows Server 2012 ISO file and select it. Click "OK" to save the settings.
Step 13: Start the virtual machine by clicking on the "Power on this virtual machine" button.
Step 14: The Windows Server 2012 installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 15: Once the installation is finished, you can log in to your Windows Server 2012 virtual machine using the credentials you provided during the setup.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and straightforward installation process. | 1. Requires a valid Windows Server 2012 license. |
| 2. Provides a virtual environment for learning and testing purposes. | 2. May consume a significant amount of system resources. |
| 3. Allows for the creation of multiple virtual machines with different configurations. | 3. VMware Workstation is a paid software. |
Installing Windows Server 2012 on VMware Workstation 11 is a great way to gain hands-on experience with Windows Server and explore its features in a virtual environment. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you’ll have a fully functional Windows Server 2012 virtual machine up and running in no time. Enjoy your exploration of this powerful operating system!
Video Tutorial:Can I run Windows server in a VM?
How to install Windows Server 2012 R2 in VM?
To install Windows Server 2012 R2 in a virtual machine (VM), follow these steps:
1. Choose a virtualization platform: Select a virtualization software that supports running VMs, such as VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V. Make sure your computer meets the requirements for running the virtualization software.
2. Download Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO image: Obtain a copy of the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO file. You can download it from the official Microsoft website or other trusted sources.
3. Create a new virtual machine: Open your chosen virtualization software and create a new virtual machine. Specify the desired configuration, including the amount of RAM, CPU cores, and storage space for the VM.
4. Mount the ISO file: In the VM settings, attach the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO image file to the virtual CD/DVD drive. This will make the ISO accessible during the installation process.
5. Start the virtual machine: Initiate the VM and power it on. The VM will boot up and present you with an option to install the operating system from the attached ISO file.
6. Install Windows Server 2012 R2: Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows Server 2012 R2. Choose the language, enter the product key (if required), and specify the installation options like disk partitioning and server roles/features.
7. Configure the VM: Once the installation is complete, you may need to configure additional settings specific to your virtualization software. This may include adjusting network configurations, allocating resources, and enabling virtualization extensions.
8. Install updates and drivers: After the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation, connect the VM to the internet and install any available updates and drivers to ensure the server is up to date and functioning optimally.
9. Configure Windows Server 2012 R2: Proceed with configuring Windows Server 2012 R2 as per your requirements. This may involve setting up networking, domain membership, security policies, and other server-specific configurations.
Remember, these steps might vary slightly depending on the virtualization software you are using. It’s always recommended to refer to the official documentation or online resources related to your specific virtualization platform for detailed guidance on installing Windows Server 2012 R2 in a VM.
How to install Windows Server 2012 on a VMware workstation?
Installing Windows Server 2012 on a VMware Workstation can be a straightforward process if you follow the necessary steps. Here’s a professional guide to help you with the installation:
1. Prepare your environment:
– Ensure that you have a suitable VMware Workstation version installed on your computer.
– Check if your computer meets the system requirements for running VMware Workstation and Windows Server 2012.
2. Obtain the Windows Server 2012 installation ISO:
– Download the Windows Server 2012 ISO file from an official Microsoft source.
– Make sure the ISO file is saved on your computer or accessible from a network location.
3. Create a new virtual machine in VMware Workstation:
– Open VMware Workstation and click on "Create a New Virtual Machine."
– Follow the steps in the wizard, selecting the appropriate options for your environment.
– Choose the "Custom (advanced)" installation type when prompted.
4. Configure virtual machine settings:
– Specify the location where you want to store the virtual machine files.
– Allocate sufficient memory (RAM) and CPU resources for optimal performance.
– Create a new virtual hard disk with the desired size and select the appropriate disk type.
5. Install Windows Server 2012:
– Select the Windows Server 2012 ISO file as the installation media.
– Power on the virtual machine and start the installation.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation process.
– During the installation, select the appropriate installation type and partition options based on your requirements.
– Enter the necessary product key and configure any additional settings as needed.
– Wait for the installation to complete.
6. Post-installation configuration:
– Once the installation is finished, VMware Tools will be automatically installed in the virtual machine.
– Restart the virtual machine to apply any changes and complete the setup.
– Configure Windows Server 2012 according to your needs, including network settings, updates, and additional software installations.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install Windows Server 2012 on a VMware Workstation environment. Remember to consult official documentation or additional resources for detailed guidance if needed.
Can I install Windows server on VMware?
Yes, you can install Windows Server on VMware. VMware is a virtualization software that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your computer. By creating a virtual machine, you can install and run different operating systems, including Windows Server, within a virtual environment on your computer.
To install Windows Server on VMware, you can follow these steps:
1. Download the Windows Server installation ISO file from Microsoft’s website or your licensed source.
2. Install a VMware software such as VMware Workstation or VMware Fusion on your computer, depending on your operating system.
3. Open the VMware software and choose to create a new virtual machine.
4. Follow the prompts in the setup wizard to specify the details of the virtual machine, such as the amount of memory, CPU resources, and storage allocation. Make sure to select the appropriate Windows Server version and edition during the setup process.
5. When prompted, select the Windows Server ISO file as the installation media source.
6. Complete the virtual machine creation process by specifying other settings, such as networking and storage preferences.
7. Start the virtual machine and begin the installation of Windows Server. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system.
8. After the installation is complete, you can configure Windows Server according to your requirements and set up any desired roles or features.
With a properly configured virtual machine in VMware, you can run Windows Server alongside your host operating system and use it for various purposes such as testing, development, or as a server environment. Remember to allocate adequate resources to the virtual machine to ensure smooth operation.
Please note that these instructions are general guidelines, and the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the version of VMware software you are using. Always refer to the official documentation for the VMware product you have installed for detailed instructions and best practices.
Also, keep in mind that running Windows Server and VMware require appropriate licenses. Ensure you comply with the licensing requirements set by Microsoft for Windows Server and VMware for their respective products.
How to install Windows Server 2012 R2 update manually?
To manually install a Windows Server 2012 R2 update, follow the steps below:
1. Find the Update: Start by identifying the specific update package you want to install. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website (https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx) and search for the update by its KB number or use relevant keywords. Download the appropriate update package for your system.
2. Offline Preparation: Create a backup of your important data and ensure you have administrative privileges on the server. It’s also a good practice to disconnect the server from the internet during the update process to prevent any interference.
3. Stop Related Services: Some update installations require you to stop specific services or processes. Identify if your update package has any specific instructions and stop the relevant services accordingly. This information is usually available in the update documentation provided by Microsoft.
4. Run the Update Package: Double-click on the downloaded update package to initiate the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts and proceed with the installation.
5. Reboot: After the installation completes, reboot the server to apply the changes. Allow sufficient time for the server to restart and configure the updates.
6. Verification: Once the server has restarted, log in and verify that the update was installed successfully. You can check the Windows Update History or use tools like the System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to confirm the update’s presence.
It’s important to note that the process may vary depending on the specific update you are installing. Always refer to the official documentation provided by Microsoft for detailed instructions and any specific requirements related to the update package.
How to install Windows Server 2012 R2 step by step in virtual box?
Installing Windows Server 2012 R2 in VirtualBox involves several steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Download and install Oracle VirtualBox: Visit the official VirtualBox website and download the latest version that is compatible with your operating system. Follow the installation instructions provided.
2. Obtain the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO file: You can acquire the ISO image of Windows Server 2012 R2 either through a subscription service, from a licensed copy, or from the Microsoft Evaluation Center website.
3. Create a new virtual machine: Open VirtualBox and click on the "New" button. Give your virtual machine a name, select "Microsoft Windows" as the type, and choose "Windows Server 2012 (64-bit)" as the version. Allocate the desired amount of RAM for your virtual machine and create a new virtual hard disk.
4. Configure virtual machine settings: In the VirtualBox main window, select your newly created virtual machine and click on the "Settings" button. In the settings window, navigate to the "Storage" section and click on the empty optical drive. Then, click on the small disk icon next to "Optical Drive" and choose "Choose a disk file…" Browse and select the Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO file.
5. Start the virtual machine and install Windows Server 2012 R2: Click on the "Start" button in the VirtualBox main window to launch the virtual machine. The installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language preferences, agree to the license terms, and choose the installation type.
6. Configure the installation: Select the desired disk partition where you want to install Windows Server 2012 R2. You can create a new partition or use an existing one. Follow the instructions to complete the installation setup, including setting up an administrator password and configuring the network settings.
7. Complete the installation and configure Windows Server 2012 R2: Once the installation process is finished, the virtual machine will restart. Log in with the administrator credentials you set up during the installation. Windows Server 2012 R2 will now be installed in VirtualBox.
Remember to allocate sufficient resources to your virtual machine, including memory and storage, for optimal performance. Additionally, ensure that your host machine meets the minimum system requirements for running VirtualBox and Windows Server 2012 R2.
Disclaimer: This guide is intended for informational purposes only. Always refer to official documentation and follow best practices when installing any operating system.