Windows Server 2012 Essentials Resources

For details on features and business benefits of Windows Server 2012 Essentials, see the product details page.

Getting Started

This Product and Evaluation Guide offers step-by-step instructions to many features and capabilities of Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

Explore & Install

Windows Server 2012 Essentials Virtual Lab
These virtual labs allow you to test drive new and improved features and functionality, including management, network protection, and remote access.
Download: Compare Windows Server 2012 Editions
This data sheet document provides an overview of the different licensing options that are available for Windows Server 2012.
Library Article: Before You Install
Review important steps to take before you install Windows Server 2012 Essentials on a pre-existing computer.
Library Article: Install and Configure Windows Server 2012 Essentials
Get step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring Windows Server 2012 Essentials.
Library Article: Release Documentation for Windows Server 2012 Essentials
Find information about problems that you may encounter when you install and run the Windows Server 2012 Essentials server software. Review this topic before you install your Windows Server 2012 Essentials network.

Deploy & Manage

Download: Windows Server 2012 Essentials Client Recovery CD
Download the ISO image of the Client Recovery CD, which allows you to perform a bare-metal restore of client computers that are being backed up by Windows Server 2012 Essentials.
Library Article: Migrating Windows Small Business Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 Essentials
This guide describes how to migrate an existing Windows SBS 2008 domain to Windows Server 2012 Essentials on new hardware, and then to migrate the settings and data.
Library Article: Migrating Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Windows Server 2012 Essentials
This guide describes how to migrate an existing Windows SBS 2003 domain to Windows Server 2012 Essentials on new hardware, and then to migrate the settings and data.
Library Article: Manage Email Service Integration in Windows Server 2012 Essentials
Information about methods that you can use to configure an email solution for your organization.
Library Article: Configure DirectAccess in Windows Server 2012 Essentials
DirectAccess enables you to seamlessly connect to your organization’s network from any Internet-equipped remote location without having to establish a virtual private network (VPN) connection. These step-by-step instructions help configure DirectAccess in Windows Server 2012 Essentials.