Install Windows Server 2012 R2 - MCSA Windows Server 2012 R2: Installation and Configuration Study Guide - page 15

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard with SP1 Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard or Win-

dows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

Windows Web Server 2008 R2 with SP1 Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard

Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 Standard Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard or Win-

dows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

Hyper-V Server 2012 Hyper-V Server 2012 R2

Windows Storage Server 2012 Standard Windows Storage Server 2012 R2 Standard

Windows Storage Server 2012 Workgroup Windows Storage Server 2012 R2

Workgroup

Deciding on the Type of Installation

One of the final choices you must make before installing Windows Server 2012 R2 is what
type of installation you want. There are three ways to install Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows Server 2012 R2 with the Graphical User Interface (GUI) This is the version
with which most administrators are familiar. This is the version that uses Microsoft Man-
agement Console (MMC) windows, and it is the version that allows the use of a mouse to
navigate through the installation.
Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core This is a bare-bones installation of Windows
Server 2012 R2. You can think of it this way: If Windows Server 2012 R2 is a top-of-the-
line luxury car, then Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core is the stripped-down model
with no air-conditioning, manual windows, and cloth seats. It might not be pretty to look
at, but it gets the job done.
Windows Server 2012 R2 MinShell This is the best of both installation types mentioned
previously. Minimum Shell (MinShell) gives you the advantage of using the GUI manage-
ment tools, but MinShell does not actually install the GUI. It gives administrators the abil-
ity to use tools with which they are familiar but still provides a small attack surface and the
advantages of Server Core.
In Windows Server 2012 R2, an administrator has the ability to remove the GUI shell
after a GUI shell install has been completed. This removes Internet Explorer 10, Windows
Explorer, the desktop, and the Start screen. Microsoft Management Console (MMC),
Server Manager, and a subset of Control Panel are still present, giving you a MinShell
installation plus PowerShell.