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2 views

1_initial configuration

Uploaded by

Tekalign
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Wolaita Sodo University, Dept: IT, Lecture: Alemayehu Dereje 2013 E.

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.

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.
Server Manager Properties

The Windows Server 2012 R2 interfaces are different from earlier Windows Servers. We 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. 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.


Add Roles and Features Wizard

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.
Desktop Icons

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 Sysdm.cpl then press enter. This will open the System properties.

Change Domain Controller


In the System Properties for Computer description type a description for your computer
according to its 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 presses P to open Control Panel then click Windows update. Now click
Turn on automatic update to enable.

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.
Updating Windows can validate Windows Server 2012 R2 evaluation for 180 days.

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 lusrmgr.msc in Windows Run
and press enter to open local Users and Groups.

Change default user nameAccept

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.
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 gpedit.msc 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.
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 ncpa.cpl in Windows Run and press enter to open Windows Network Connections window.
When the Network Connections page open, right click Ethernet and click Properties then select
Internet Protocol Version 4 and click Properties. In the new page set IP address as mentioned on
screenshot.
Configure Network Connections

When everything is done, 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.

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