Windows Server 2012 R2 Initial Configuration

Windows Server 2012 R2 Initial Configuration for newly installed. After installation, you need to
configure the initial requirements of the server. The essential configuration are changing host
name, set IP address , update Windows, Desktop configuration, and activate the Windows Server
etc. In the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation article we talk about benefits of Windows Server.

1. Desktop configuration

For Windows Server 2012 R2 Initial Configuration after the first log on to Windows Server, you
will see server manager like the below screenshot.

Windows Server 2012 R2

The server manager dashboard will open every time you restart or log off your server. You can
stop it from Server Manager Properties. Just tick the Do not start Server
Manager automatically at Log on.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 1

The Windows Server 2012 R2 interfaces are different from earlier Windows Servers. I like to
have desktop icons the same as older Server desktops, but by default we are not able to bring icons
like My Computer, Documents and Network. To do this , you must install ‘Desktop
Experience’ from Windows Server Features.

Note: It is not good idea to enable some extra features or install software in Windows Server for
bringing desktop icons. I just show you the ways as a tips.

From Server Manager dashboard, go to ‘Add Roles and Features’, select ‘Role-based or
Feature-based installation’ without any changes to other roles and features, select ‘Desktop
Experience’ from User Interface and Infrastructure… under Features.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 2

Click Next and then click install. You must restart the server when the installation has complete.

Restart Server

After restarting Server, right click on the desktop, click Properties and check tick of all icons
you need as mentioned below.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 3

You can change desktop background, etc. But must tell you again, do not install desktop
experience, because of security issue.

2. Change Server Name

The next step, you must change the host name or Server name. The Server name must be unique
and easy to read for users. In order to change the Server name, Press Windows+R to open the
Run and type [Link] then press enter. This will open the System properties.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 4

In the System Properties for Computer description type a description for you computer
according to it’s roles. This will help you to determine and find your computer quickly in the
network. Then click Change button, type computer name and click OK to save the changes.

When ask you to restart server click OK twice then click Restart Now. The server will restart to
complete the tasks.

Server need a restart

3. Enable Update Windows Server 2012 R2

We need to update Windows Server in order to patch the latest bugs and software updates. In the
real world updating Windows is necessary and must set the Windows update to automatically.

To enable Windows update go to Control Panel and Windows update to open Windows
update page or press Windows+x then press P to open Control Panel then click Windows
update. Now click Turn on automatic update to enable.
Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 5
Windows automatic updating

Now you should see checking for updates without any errors. Let the Windows perform the
process of updates completely.

Windows Server Update

Some updates need to restart the system to complete the installation. Just restart you server and
check the update again.

Windows License is expired

Updating Windows can validate Windows Server 2012 R2 evaluation for 180 days. It’s enough
for a student or a testing lab environments to study about Microsoft Certification
like MCSA or MCSE.

Windows License valid for 180 days

4. Change the default User name and Shutdown event Tracker

The admin user name in all Windows is Administrator, but it is better to change the default name
of administrator to your favorite name. In order to change or rename it, type [Link] in
Windows Run and press enter to open local Users and Groups.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 6

In local Users and Groups just right click the administrator name then click rename. When it
has complete, once log off the and log on again with new user name.

For a test lab environment you should disable the Shutdown event tracker for group policy.

Windows Shutdown Event tracker

Display shutdown event tracker is a policy in Windows Server for recording the shutdown process
and need a reason from user for shutting down or restarting.

Type [Link] in Windows Run and press enter to open Windows Group Policy. Go to
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System and double click Display
Shutdown Event Tracker policy.
Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 7
Windows Server 2012 R2 Group policy

Only check the Disabled and click OK then close the group policy window.

5. Configure Server Networking Connections

Always in your network set the Servers IP addresses manually. Because the network Servers are
very important and always must have unique address, not release different IP address each time
from DHCP Server.

Type [Link] in Windows Run and press enter to open Windows Network
Connections window. When the Network Connections page open, right click Ethernet0 and
click Properties then select Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties. In the new page
set IP address as mentioned on screenshot.

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 8

When everything is don, click OK and close all opened windows.

You can perform networking tasks with command line tool as well. Configure Windows IPv4
Networking with Netsh

So end of Windows Server 2012 R2 Initial Configuration. If you are using Hyper-
V or VMWare create a Check Point or Snapshot for your servers then start your other tests and
practice.

VMWare Snapshot

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 9

Lecture Notes By Mr BESSONG RAWLINGS E pg. 10