This new version is a bit frustrating. Here is an example. I installed Server 2012 standard from MSDN and included a server GUI...since almost all Windows server admins are used to having a GUI.
It needs a key to install. After install, I wanted to double check and ensure it was activated.
Normally, I would right click on My Computer > Properties to check this. However, in Server 2012, there is no "My Computer" icon on the desktop. Also, there is no Personalization right click option on the desktop (by default). And yes, I know that I can flip over to the "Start" screen...but I don't want to have to do this.
Now, I was able to find the ability to modify the desktop icons by SEARCHING for "icons" in Control panel and "Show or hide common icons on the desktop" shows up under Display. HOWEVER, if you just open Control Panel and look under display, you do NOT see "Show or hide common icons on the desktop". You actually HAVE to search, using the searchbox, or it appears the option isn't there.
I also found that if you install the Desktop Experience feature, which is buried in the "User Interfaces and Infrastructure (INSTALLED) subgroup...you will get the Personlization option back in the right click Context menu. But once you install this feature, you NOW boot directly into the Start Screen...rather than the desktop as it was originally.
It's a bit disheartening that a seasoned Windows systems admin has to spend nearly 15 minutes trying to figure out HOW to add a My Computer icon to the server desktop, so that I can quickly right-click and check Properties and see if my server is activated, what it's hostname is, what CPU I have installed, how much RAM is there, and whether it's in a workgroup or a domain.