Aug 5

Installation

Server 2008 R2 Workstation , , , Add Comment (5)

Windows Server 2008 R2 comes into 4 different editions (Enterprise, Datacenter, Standard and Web) on the most common installation DVD. The features included in each of the different editions can be compared here. To test Windows Server 2008 R2 first, you can download the DVD-image which doesn’t require any key and is possible to use for 180 days after activating. You can burn this .iso file using for example ImgBurn. After burning the DVD follow the installation steps below.

1. Boot up your Windows Server 2008 R2 dvd. After you see the screen below, choose the approperiate settings and click Next.
Main installation screen

2. On the next screen just click the Install now button.
Start Installation

3. Select the version of Windows Server 2008 R2 that says Full Installation. Don’t select one of the Server Core Installation’s, because then you won’t have a GUI ;-)
Choose Edition

4. If you agree to the license terms, select I accept the license terms and click Next.
License terms

5. We will use the Custom (advanced) in this manual which allows us to install a clean Windows Server 2008 R2. The Upgrade option can be used to upgrade from Windows Server 2008.
Installation Type

6. Select the harddisk and partition where you want to install Windows Server 2008 R2 and click Next.
Installation location

7. Now Windows Server 2008 R2 setup will install the selected version to your harddrive.
Expanding Windows files Completing installation Preparing for first use

8. After the installation has finished the computer will restart and a message about changing your password will be shown. Click OK.
Password notification

9. You MUST type in a strong password with at least one capital letter and one number, for example P4ssword (capital P/number four), otherwise you will get an error message saying that you doesn’t comply to the security enforcements of the domain. You can disable this strong password enforcement later. After succesfully changing the password you will see the message that your password has succesfully been changed. Click OK. Your desktop will now show up.
Set Administrator password Password has been changed

10. In the Initial Configuration Tasks window check the Do not show this window at logon to not show the Initial Configuration Tasks at startup. You can access it later by typing oobe in Start -> Run.
Initial Configuration Tasks

11. In the Server Manager window check the Do not show me this console at logon to not show the Server Manager at startup. You can access it later via the the Server Manager shortcut in your quick launch bar or Start menu.
Server Manager

 

Continue to the installation of the Device Drivers…


5 comments so far...

  • Jorge Said on September 27th, 2010 at 12:31 am:

    Nice article :)

  • Rafa Said on October 5th, 2010 at 6:53 pm:

    Very useful, thanks a lot!

  • Anonymous Said on June 29th, 2011 at 10:05 am:

    I got problem saying windows hardware not supported. But my laptop is latest i7 quad core. Any advice?

    Arris: Is that the only information you get or does it also give a more detailed description of the problem? You can as a test try to start the setup from your current Windows installation to see if more things are being said about the hardware compatibility. Also, maybe the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can give some more information? It is definitely a rare problem; never heard a Windows installation complaining about hardware support (except for missing SATA drivers / devices with no drivers in the Device Manager). Hope you can pinpoint the problem!

  • Ron Said on April 15th, 2012 at 4:59 am:

    Very helpful and well written guide. Takes out all the guess work.

    Thanks!

  • ProJerem Said on April 27th, 2012 at 8:08 pm:

    As I know, Windows Server shall not be installed on mobile devices, therefore, you may not be able to install it on a laptop.

    Arris: Although normally you wouldn’t install Windows Server on a laptop, I haven’t heard much problems getting it working. Just give it a try! ;)

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