Hi, I am looking to replace my ever aging Windows Home Server V1 machine which has been trustworthy from day 1. I refused to use 2011, because I did need DE and wasn't comfortable using a 3rd party add in, so anyway what is the differences between Essentials and Essentials R2? I am thinking it might be easier to install Essentials and leave R2 due to the fact that there is no way to activate R2 safely at present.
Don't forget that you can add the 'Essentials' part as a feature to both Server 2012 R2 Standard and Data Centre, so if you have a genuine key for either of those you don't have to worry about activation.
Mind elaborating? I was hoping to use Server Essentials R2 but my Dreamspark access only gives me keys for Server 2012 R2. How would you be able to add? I don't need a Server Essentials key?
In Server Manager you can ad Essentials as a role. Then you have a Server Essentials R2. Under the covers, Essentials R2 is really just Windows Server 2012 Standard R2 with the Windows Server Essentials Experience role enabled. (Paul Thurrott).
Yep, what he said. ^ I'm in the same situation. My Dreamspark account is for 'Server 2012 R2 Standard' only, so I installed it and added the Essentials role. Now I'm using it, in place of my '2012 Essentials Server' which was running out of 'Rearms'
