Download Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate (RC)

You can evaluate the Windows Server 2012 trial for 180 days, with no feature limits. Experience the next level of Microsoft's server platform, including new virtualization and cloud capabilities, enhanced manageability, an exciting new open application and web platform, and the ability to provide access to data and applications from virtually anywhere on any device.  

The Windows Server 2012 evaluation software is available in Standard and Datacenter editions. You will be prompted to choose a version during the set-up and registration process.

When you install Windows Server 2012, you can choose between Server Core Installation and Server with a GUI. The “Server with a GUI” option is the Windows Server 2012 equivalent of the Full installation option available in Windows Server 2008 R2. The “Server Core Installation” option reduces the space required on disk, the potential attack surface, and especially the servicing requirements, so we recommend that you choose the Server Core installation unless you have a particular need for the additional user interface elements and graphical management tools that are included in the “Server with a GUI” option. For this reason, the Server Core installation is now the default. Because you can freely switch between these options at any time later, one approach might be to initially install the Server with a GUI option, use the graphical tools to configure the server, and then later switch to the Server Core Installation option. 

All evaluation versions are fully functional during the evaluation period, although booting to Safe mode is not available. The Windows Server 2012 Standard and Windows Server 2012 Datacenter editions come with the activation key pre-installed. Most evaluation versions can be converted to full retail versions, but the method varies slightly depending on the edition.


Source: Technet 

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