Server 2012 ...: Installing And Configuring Windows

Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a clean installation.

Always back up existing data, especially for infrastructure servers like DHCP . 2. The Installation Process

32 GB minimum; use GPT partitioning for disks larger than 2 TB. Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 ...

Choose your language, time format, and keyboard layout. Choose Edition: Select between Standard or Datacenter .

Crucial Step: You must choose between (command-line only) and Server with a GUI . Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" for a

Insert your DVD or USB and adjust the BIOS/UEFI boot order to prioritize the installation media.

Set a complex administrator password once the system reboots. Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 ...

512 MB RAM (minimum), though 2 GB or more is standard.