Windows Server 2012 facts for kids
| Version of the Windows NT operating system | |
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Screenshot of Windows Server 2012, showing the Server Manager application which is automatically opened when an administrator logs on, taskbar, and the blue color of Aero Lite
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| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| OS family | Windows Server |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model |
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| Released to manufacturing |
August 1, 2012 |
| General availability |
September 4, 2012 |
| Latest release | July 2025 monthly update rollup (6.2.9200.25573) / July 8, 2025 |
| Repository |
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| Marketing target | Business |
| Update method | Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services, SCCM |
| Platforms | x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Hybrid (Windows NT kernel) |
| Default user interface |
Windows shell (GUI) |
| License | Commercial proprietary software |
| Preceded by | Windows Server 2008 R2 (2009) |
| Succeeded by | Windows Server 2012 R2 (2013) |
| Official website | Windows Server 2012 (archived at Wayback Machine) |
| Support status | |
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Windows Server 2012 is a special computer program made by Microsoft. It's like a big brother to Windows 8, but it's designed for powerful computers called servers. Servers are used by businesses and organizations to store lots of information and run many programs at once.
This version of Windows Server was released on September 4, 2012. It replaced an older version called Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2012 brought many new features. These features helped computers work better, especially with cloud computing. This means storing and accessing data over the internet instead of directly on your computer.
Some older computer parts were no longer supported by Windows Server 2012. It also came with a new look, similar to Windows 8. Even with the new look, many people liked Windows Server 2012. It was a very popular choice for servers for a long time.
Contents
What Is Windows Server 2012?
Windows Server 2012 is part of the Windows Server family. It's an operating system, which is the main software that runs a computer. Think of it as the brain of a server. It helps the server manage all its tasks and connect to other computers.
This version was developed at the same time as Windows 8. It was a big step forward for server technology.
How It Was Developed
Microsoft first showed Windows Server 2012 in September 2011. They called it "Windows Server 8" back then. Early test versions were given to software developers. These versions had a new look and a tool called Server Manager. This tool helps people manage the server easily.
Later, public test versions were released in 2012. This allowed more people to try it out. Microsoft officially named it "Windows Server 2012" in April 2012. The final version was ready in August 2012 and became available to everyone in September 2012.
Windows Server 2012 was designed to work only with 64-bit computer processors. This made it more powerful and efficient.
Cool Features of Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 came with many exciting new features. These features made it easier to manage servers and improved how they worked.
Installation Choices
One cool thing is that you could choose how to install it. You could pick a "Server Core" version, which only uses text commands. Or you could choose "Server with a GUI" which has a visual desktop. You could even switch between these options without reinstalling everything. The text-only version is often recommended for better performance.
New User Interface
The way you interact with Windows Server 2012 was updated. It used a design similar to Windows 8. The Server Manager tool was also redesigned. It made it simpler to manage many servers at once. This version also had many more commands for Windows PowerShell. PowerShell is a powerful tool for controlling the server with text commands.
Updated Task Manager
Windows Server 2012 included a new Windows Task Manager. This tool helps you see what programs are running and how much of the computer's resources they are using. The new Task Manager showed processes in different shades of yellow. Darker shades meant more resources were being used. It also had better graphs to show how the CPU, memory, and disk were performing.
Managing IP Addresses
Windows Server 2012 added a new tool called IPAM. This tool helps businesses keep track of all the IP addresses on their network. It helps manage DNS and DHCP servers. These are important for connecting computers and devices on a network.
Active Directory Improvements
Active Directory is like a phone book for a computer network. It stores information about users and devices. Windows Server 2012 made many improvements to Active Directory. It became easier to set up and manage. It also worked better with virtual computers.
Better Virtualization with Hyper-V
Windows Server 2012 included an improved version of Hyper-V. Hyper-V lets you create "virtual machines" on one physical computer. Imagine having several computers running inside one machine! This new Hyper-V allowed virtual machines to use more processing power and memory. It also added features for cloud computing.
Introducing ReFS File System
A brand new file system called Resilient File System (ReFS) was introduced. A file system is how a computer organizes and stores files. ReFS was designed to be more reliable than older systems. It uses special ways to store data that help prevent it from getting corrupted. It can also handle very large files and many folders.
ReFS was built to work well with Storage Spaces. Storage Spaces is a feature that lets you combine multiple hard drives into one big storage pool. ReFS helps keep your data safe by checking for errors and fixing them automatically.
IIS 8.0 for Websites
Windows Server 2012 came with IIS 8.0. IIS is software that helps servers host websites. This new version had features like better security for websites and improved performance. It also supported WebSockets, which are used for real-time communication on the internet.
Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0
RDP is a way to control a computer from another location. Windows Server 2012 included RDP 8.0. This version made remote connections smoother and faster. It also added support for touchscreens and better graphics.
How Powerful It Is
Windows Server 2012 could handle very powerful computer hardware. It supported up to 64 physical processors. It could also use a huge amount of memory, up to 4 TB. This made it suitable for very demanding tasks and large organizations.
Different Versions of Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 came in four main versions: Foundation, Essentials, Standard, and Datacenter. Each version was designed for different needs and sizes of businesses.
- Foundation: This was the most basic version, usually for small businesses.
- Essentials: This version was for slightly larger small businesses.
- Standard: This was a general-purpose version for many businesses.
- Datacenter: This was the most powerful version, designed for very large organizations and cloud environments. It allowed for unlimited virtual machines.
Each version had different limits on things like the number of processors, memory, and users it could support.
Windows Server 2012 R2
A newer version, called Windows Server 2012 R2, was released in October 2013. This update brought even more improvements and features. It was based on the Windows 8.1 computer code.
Support for Windows Server 2012
Microsoft provides support for its software for a certain period. This includes updates and help with problems. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2012 ended on October 9, 2018. Extended support, which mostly provides security updates, ended on October 10, 2023.
However, businesses can still get paid security updates through a special program. These updates will continue until October 13, 2026. After that date, there will be no more security updates for Windows Server 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Windows Server 2012 para niños
- Comparison of Microsoft Windows versions
- Comparison of operating systems
- History of Microsoft Windows
- List of operating systems
- Microsoft Servers
