REAL Boot to desktop Windows 2012 Server !!! works fine !!

jimbo45

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Hi there
thank goodness --for the moment you can get the benefits of W8 with a DESKTOP presented after boot (although metro is there too of course) --but it starts in the desktop. The trick is to use W2012 SERVER !!!.

Read the remark on the installation choice if you are goung to try it -.

Note using a server as a desktop OS is a bit fiddly to configure --worthwhile once you've done it --but remember SOME of your programs might not work because you are on a server. Most "Normal" ones will. Acrinis backup won't --it wants the server version --but just use the stand alone bootable version !!

For screenshots I've got them in this thread over at W7 forums --I installed it as a VM on W7 -- didn't want TWO "Preview" os'es running on top of each other. !!

You can download W2012 server --doesn't need any keys --expiry same as W8 Release preview.

Here's the link second post in the thread.

note ist time I tried it failed --hence the title of the thread !!!!! but after a bit of fiddling it's fine and install time around 10 mins on a decent laptop (8GB intel I5 Sony VAIO)..

Windows 2012 server Release Candidate fails install with vmware rel 8 - Windows 7 Forums

Cheers
jimbo
 

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I'll go for it as my desktop OS ! :)
 

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    Windows 10.0.10122
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So the Start Screen in Server 2012 has Task Manager, Computer, and Control Panel pinned to it by default?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
So the Start Screen in Server 2012 has Task Manager, Computer, and Control Panel pinned to it by default?

Hi there
doesn't quite work like that -- it's a SERVER so you get the Manage my server at start. (You can disable the automatic start of this application if you want) and then you get a desktop with just Windows explorer, Manage my server and the Power shell icons on the quick start ribbon.


Control panel is still in Metro but you don't need to use it very often -- you can do most things with "Power shell" (the improved command line interface) or the Manage my server application.

Don't forget that this server can be installed WITHOUT a GUI so you boot up into the command shell directly -- or a minimal guid which just has the Manage my server application and of course the Power shell.

A myriad of new commands have been added to the power shell command line so I.T Admins I'm sure will love it.

The full gui I'm sure was only added for people to test on VM's etc. It might not even survive when this product is actually released to Final.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I installed Server 2012 in VMware and installed it with GUI. It's definitely a break in UI design where it used to look like a dead horse of Windows 2000. I got the visual animations going so it didn't seem bleh.

It's interesting though, PC Settings obviously isn't there and it's the quintessential example of how the Start Screen can compliment the Desktop since Desktop Apps are only pinned to it, much how I use it. I don't know though, in a VM, it didn't feel exceptionally snappy and it seems like it would take more effort to configure it to get it more like the client OS.

But, to each his own. :D I like to game...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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