Windows Server 2012 R2: A Guide to Compression and Performance
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Windows Server 2012 R2 Highly Compressed: What You Need to Know
Introduction
Windows Server 2012 R2 is a powerful and versatile operating system that provides a wide range of new and enhanced features and capabilities spanning server virtualization, storage, software-defined networking, server management and automation, web and application platform, access and information protection, virtual desktop infrastructure, and more.
windows server 2012 r2 highly compressed
If you are looking for a way to save disk space, reduce download time, or optimize storage efficiency, you might want to consider compressing Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files. Compressing Windows Server 2012 R2 can help you reduce the size of the installation media by removing unnecessary files or using advanced compression algorithms.
In this article , such as ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and more. You can also adjust the compression level, split the archive into multiple volumes, encrypt the archive with a password, and more. To compress Windows Server 2012 R2 with PowerISO, you will need to download and install PowerISO from its official website , then run PowerISO, click on "Open" and select the ISO or VHD file, click on "Compress" and choose the output format, compression method, compression level, and other options, and click "OK".
UltraISO: UltraISO is another powerful file compression and disk image management software that can compress Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files into smaller ISZ or ISO files. UltraISO supports various compression algorithms, such as ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and more. You can also adjust the compression level, split the archive into multiple volumes, encrypt the archive with a password, and more. To compress Windows Server 2012 R2 with UltraISO, you will need to download and install UltraISO from its official website , then run UltraISO, click on "File" and select "Open" and choose the ISO or VHD file, click on "File" and select "Save As" and choose the output format, compression method, compression level, and other options, and click "Save".
WIMBoot: WIMBoot is a feature of Windows 8.1 Update 1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Update 1 that allows you to install Windows from a compressed Windows image file (WIM) that is stored on a hidden partition. WIMBoot reduces the disk space used by Windows by using pointer files that link to the compressed WIM file instead of copying the files to the system partition. WIMBoot also improves the performance of Windows by loading the files directly from the compressed WIM file instead of decompressing them. To compress Windows Server 2012 R2 with WIMBoot, you will need to download and install Windows 8.1 Update 1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 Update 1 from the Microsoft website , then create a bootable USB drive with the Windows installation media using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool or Rufus , then boot from the USB drive and follow the instructions to install Windows using WIMBoot.
These are some of the methods and tools that you can use to compress Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files. However, you should be aware that compression may have some drawbacks, such as:
Reduced performance: Compression may affect the speed and responsiveness of your operating system by increasing the CPU usage and disk access time. Compression may also cause fragmentation of your disk space and reduce the lifespan of your SSD.
Reduced reliability: Compression may increase the risk of data corruption or loss by making your operating system more vulnerable to errors or failures. Compression may also make it harder to recover your data in case of a disaster or a malware attack.
Reduced functionality: Compression may limit some of the features or capabilities of your operating system by preventing you from modifying or updating your files or settings. Compression may also cause compatibility issues with some applications or devices that require access to uncompressed files or partitions.
Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of compression before deciding to use it for your Windows Server 2012 R2 installation. You should also follow some tips and best practices for compression, such as:
Backup your data: Before compressing your Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files, you should make a backup copy of your data to a safe location in case something goes wrong during or after the compression process. You should also verify the integrity of your backup data by using checksums or hashes.
Choose the right method and tool: Depending on your needs and preferences, you should choose the method and tool that best suits your compression goals and requirements. You should consider factors such as compression ratio, compression speed, compression quality, compression format, compression options , and compression compatibility. You should also read the user reviews and ratings of the method and tool that you choose to ensure its reliability and quality.
Test your compressed files: After compressing your Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files, you should test them to make sure they work properly and do not have any errors or issues. You can use tools such as WinMD5, HashMyFiles, or HashTab to check the checksums or hashes of your compressed files and compare them with the original files. You can also use tools such as UltraISO, PowerISO, or VirtualBox to mount or run your compressed files and verify their functionality and performance.
Keep your original files: Even if your compressed files work fine, you should keep your original uncompressed Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files as a backup or a reference in case you need to restore, update, or modify them in the future. You should store your original files in a different location than your compressed files to avoid confusion or overwrite.
How to Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Highly Compressed
Once you have compressed your Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files, you can install them on your server or computer using various methods. However, before you install Windows Server 2012 R2 highly compressed, you should make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements and prerequisites for installation. According to the Microsoft website , the minimum system requirements for Windows Server 2012 R2 are:
Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor
Memory: 512 MB (2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience installation option)
Disk space: 32 GB (more if there is a system partition)
Network adapter: Gigabit Ethernet adapter (10/100/1000baseT PHY/MAC)
Optical drive: DVD-ROM drive (if installing from DVD-ROM media)
Display: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution monitor
Keyboard and mouse: Microsoft Mouse-compatible pointing device
Internet access: Internet access (fees may apply)
In addition to the minimum system requirements, you should also check the following prerequisites for installation:
Product key: You will need a valid product key to activate Windows Server 2012 R2 after installation. You can use a product key that you purchased from Microsoft or a third-party vendor, or you can use a product key that came with your evaluation version of Windows Server 2012 R2. You can also use a generic product key that allows you to install Windows Server 2012 R2 without activation for a limited time. You can find a list of generic product keys for Windows Server 2012 R2 on this website .
Drivers and firmware: You will need to install the latest drivers and firmware for your hardware devices and components to ensure their compatibility and functionality with Windows Server 2012 R2. You can download the drivers and firmware from the manufacturer's website or use tools such as Driver Booster, Driver Easy, or Snappy Driver Installer to automatically update them.
Partition scheme and file system: You will need to choose the appropriate partition scheme and file system for your disk drive where you want to install Windows Server 2012 R2. You can use either MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table) as the partition scheme, depending on the size and type of your disk drive. You can use either NTFS (New Technology File System) or ReFS (Resilient File System) as the file system, depending on the features and performance that you want. You can use tools such as Disk Management, Diskpart, or GParted to create and format partitions on your disk drive.
Boot mode and device: You will need to choose the appropriate boot mode and device for your system where you want to install Windows Server 2012 R2. You can use either BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) as the boot mode, depending on the features and security that you want. You can use either a DVD-ROM drive or a USB drive as the boot device, depending on the availability and convenience that you want. You can use tools such as Rufus, WinToUSB, or EasyBCD to create a bootable DVD-ROM or USB drive with your compressed Windows Server 201 2 R2 ISO or VHD file.
After you have checked the system requirements and prerequisites for installation, you can follow these steps to install Windows Server 2012 R2 highly compressed:
Boot from the boot device: Insert the bootable DVD-ROM or USB drive with your compressed Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD file into your system and restart it. Press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings and change the boot order to boot from the DVD-ROM or USB drive. Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings. Your system will boot from the boot device and display the Windows Setup screen.
Extract the compressed file: On the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt window. Type the following command to extract your compressed Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD file to a suitable location on your disk drive (replace X: with the letter of your boot device and Y: with the letter of your destination drive): X:\path\to\compressed\file -d Y:\path\to\destination\folder. For example, if your compressed file is named WS2012R2.iso and is located in the root directory of your USB drive (E:), and you want to extract it to a folder named WS2012R2 on your C: drive, you would type: E:\WS2012R2.iso -d C:\WS2012R2. Wait for the extraction process to complete and close the command prompt window.
Install Windows Server 2012 R2: On the Windows Setup screen, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method, and click "Next". Click "Install now" and enter your product key when prompted. Accept the license terms and click "Next". Choose the installation type as "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)". Select the partition where you want to install Windows Server 2012 R2 and click "Next". If you are installing from an ISO file, you will need to browse to the folder where you extracted the ISO file and select the install.wim file as the source of installation. If you are installing from a VHD file, you will need to attach the VHD file as a virtual disk using Diskpart or Disk Management before selecting it as the destination of installation. Wait for the installation process to complete and restart your system when prompted.
Activate and configure Windows Server 2012 R2: After your system restarts, you will need to activate and configure Windows Server 2012 R2 according to your preferences and needs. You can use the Server Manager dashboard to perform common server management tasks, such as adding roles and features, configuring local server settings, managing remote servers, creating server groups, and more. You can also use PowerShell v4 or other tools to automate your server operations using scripts and cmdlets. You can also customize your desktop experience by changing your display settings, wallpaper, theme, color, sound, mouse, keyboard, language, and more.
Conclusion
In this article, you have learned what Windows Server 2012 R2 is, what are the benefits of compressing it, how to download and install it highly compressed, and what are the main features and functionalities of this operating system. You have also learned some useful tips and best practices for compressing and installing Windows Server 2012 R2, as well as some frequently asked questions and answers.
We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you want to learn more about Windows Server 2012 R2 or other related topics, you can check out these resources:
Windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft
What's New in Windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft Docs
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Microsoft Docs
Download Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation Microsoft Evaluation Center
Windows Server 2012 R2 Training Courses Microsoft Learn
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2?
A: Windows Server 2012 R2 is an updated version of Windows Server 2012 that includes new and enhanced features and capabilities, such as automated tiering, dedup lication for VHD, PowerShell v4, integrated Office 365 support, and more.
Q: How much disk space does Windows Server 2012 R2 require?
A: The minimum disk space requirement for the system partition is 32 GB, but this may vary depending on the installation method, the features installed, and the system configuration.
Q: How can I get Windows Server 2012 R2 for free?
A: You can download a free evaluation version of Windows Server 2012 R2 from the Microsoft Evaluation Center. The evaluation version expires in 180 days and can be converted to a licensed version by entering a valid product key.
Q: How can I compress Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files?
A: You can use various methods and tools to compress Windows Server 2012 R2 ISO or VHD files, such as WinRAR, 7-Zip, PowerISO, UltraISO, or WIMBoot. However, compression may affect the performance, reliability, or functionality of the operating system.
Q: How can I install Windows Server 2012 R2 from a compressed ISO or VHD file?
A: You can install Windows Server 2012 R2 from a compressed ISO or VHD file by using a bootable USB drive, a virtual machine, or an Azure virtual machine. You will need to extract the compressed file to a suitable location before installation.
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