--- title: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Reviews meta_title: 'Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 3.9 review_count: 8 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-06-17' parent_category: name: Marketplace Apps url: https://www.g2.com/categories/marketplace-apps --- # Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Reviews **Vendor:** Amazon Web Services (AWS) **Category:** [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace) **Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 8 ## About Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 is a robust server operating system designed to provide a dynamic, available, and cost-effective server platform for data centers and private clouds. Building upon the foundation of Windows Server 2012, this release introduces enhanced features that support scalable, multitenant-aware cloud infrastructures, enabling organizations to connect more securely across premises and respond to business needs with greater agility. Key Features and Functionality: - Automated Tiering: Optimizes storage performance by automatically moving frequently accessed files to faster storage media. - Deduplication for VHD: Reduces storage requirements by eliminating duplicate data within Virtual Hard Disk files. - Windows PowerShell v4 with Desired State Configuration (DSC: Enhances automation capabilities, allowing administrators to manage and maintain system configurations efficiently. - Integrated Office 365 Support (Essentials Edition: Simplifies integration with Office 365 services, facilitating seamless collaboration and communication. - User Interface Enhancements: Incorporates changes reflecting Windows 8.1, including a visible Start button for improved navigation. - UEFI-Based Virtual Machines: Supports virtual machines using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, enhancing security and boot performance. - Improved Hyper-V Capabilities: Offers faster virtual machine deployment and support for UEFI-based virtual machines, enhancing virtualization performance. - Internet Information Services (IIS 8.5: Introduces support for logging to Event Tracing for Windows and the ability to log any request/response headers, improving web server management. - Server Message Block (SMB Enhancements: Improves performance and event logging, supports Hyper-V Live Migration over SMB, and allows bandwidth prioritization management. - Windows Defender Integration: Provides built-in malware protection, even in Server Core installations, enhancing system security. - IP Address Management (IPAM: Extends support for role-based access control, allowing fine-grained control over IP address configurations and integration with System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2012 R2. - Group Policy Improvements: Introduces a "Policy Cache" setting, enabling domain-joined machines to store a copy of group policy settings locally, reducing startup times. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Windows Server 2012 R2 delivers a comprehensive server platform that enhances virtualization, storage, networking, and automation capabilities. By supporting scalable and secure cloud infrastructures, it enables organizations to manage workloads more efficiently, improve resource utilization, and ensure high availability of services. The integration of advanced features like automated storage tiering, deduplication, and enhanced Hyper-V support addresses the growing demands for performance and scalability in modern IT environments. Additionally, the inclusion of Windows PowerShell v4 with DSC and improved IPAM facilitates streamlined management and configuration, reducing administrative overhead and enhancing operational efficiency. ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users praise the **ease of use** of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, appreciating its intuitive interface and smooth operation. (2 reviews) - Users value the **reliability** of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, noting its stability and minimal downtime. (2 reviews) - Users appreciate the **dynamic access control** in Windows Server 2012 R2 for its versatility and flexibility in setup. (1 reviews) - Users value the **effective data storage capabilities** of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, enhancing both performance and efficiency. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **easy and versatile installation** of Windows Server 2012 R2, simplifying their setup process significantly. (1 reviews) - Easy Integrations (1 reviews) - Easy Setup (1 reviews) - Flexibility (1 reviews) - Performance (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users experience **decreasing software compatibility** over time with Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, impacting their system's functionality. (1 reviews) - Users experience frustrating **inaccuracy issues** with latency and software compatibility due to the outdated OS of Windows Server 2012 R2. (1 reviews) - Users note the **limited availability** of support for Windows Server 2012 R2 as it nears the end of its lifespan. (1 reviews) - Users experience frustrating **network issues** with latency and remote connection problems, limiting compatibility with newer software. (1 reviews) - Users find Windows Server 2012 R2 to be **prone to security issues** , needing constant updates and careful configuration. (1 reviews) - Security Vulnerabilities (1 reviews) - Slow Performance (1 reviews) ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Reviews ### 1. Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 User Experience **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** bhavik m. | Senior Linux Administrator (AWS), Computer Software, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 03, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Old User Interface, Old active directory set up and easy versatile installation and flexible set up and configuration are best part. Few old .executive files which were so useful but can't run in upgraded server editions of Windows server. Dynamic access control is also best thing in windows server 2012 R2. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Latency faced from this server to another upgraded version is so frustrating. Automatic remote connection is disturbed for this server. Latest softwares are mostly non-supported due to old os. **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Basic Active directory 's dynamic control is easy to set up and explain in this version of server. So I used this in my datacenter for other team mates. ### 2. Pros and Cons of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2: A complete Solution For Operating System **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 22, 2024 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** 1. Has a very easy to use GUI(Graphical User Interface). 2. It can be easily integrated with Microsoft products like Office 365. 3. It has a feature like storage space which provides good storage and helps in increasing the performance. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** It is more prone to viruses and requires timely updates and proper configuration to help reduce the malware attacks. **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am using microsoft windows server 2012 R2 to host my applications. Previously I was using Linux but due to its easy integration with other microsoft products and its very easy to use GUI , I Switched to Microsoft Windows server 2012 R2. ### 3. Go to OS for our enterprise application hosting **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Salman N. | Product Owner, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 25, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** It's quite stable and very easy to operate. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** With time, new released softwares compatibility with it decreases. **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** We have deployed our Active Directory software on it, it helps us in keeping our records centralling for using the application. ### 4. Intuitive to use **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Apparel & Fashion | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 10, 2025 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Reliable service with very infrequent outages **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** It is coming to the end of its lifespan so has less technical support **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Hosting our products and customer support ### 5. A Server OS to handle everything **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Luis C. | Cybersecurity Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 08, 2022 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** This Operating system is capable of integration and almost any On-prem administration required. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** While developing the bussiness, we need to have more storage and this version is not capable of having more than 4TB of memory capacity. **Recommendations to others considering Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2:** Make sure you identify your needs. Having an On-Prem structure can be easy to manage but hard to maintain. **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** I have created multiple VM and run them with excellent stability for numerous services. Thanks to this, I can manage multiple services with only one server and making us more efficient. ### 6. Dont Look back **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mitch H. | System Administrator, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 29, 2022 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Server 2012 R2 provides the standard features for a Windows Server setup and all great management options. Active Directory tools simplify work place deployments and makes user management easy. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Security issues are still quite present in this older operating system. The toolkits are dated and missing some of the more recent management features. This product is end of life soon and should be swapped out if possible. **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** It helped us run our server based applications that require older versions of operating systems. It was useful 10 years ago but now the product doesnt provide our business with any sort of advantages. ### 7. Great Windows Server **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** José Joaquín S. | Field System Engineer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 01, 2022 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Managing Hyperv-V manager is really easy to use and navigate. This OS is really friendly because the graphic interface si silimilar to windows 8 **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** The thing that I dislike most is the pop-out toolbar that opens up when you slide your mouse to the right of the screen **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** Agility Improve business ### 8. Server plataform **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Eder G. | IT Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 13, 2021 **What do you like best about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** It has an impressive improvement on UI environment and a lot of security upgrades in 2008 comparison; it was really impressive how it works and how friendly on your business configuration needs. **What do you dislike about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2?** Even with the improvement, keep laking in some features or rolles. **Recommendations to others considering Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2:** is an excellent way to enter in business environments, create roles and policies **What problems is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 solving and how is that benefiting you?** We were able to properly configure our AD, DHCP of companies in need of it. ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Discussions - [What is Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-microsoft-windows-server-2012-r2-used-for) - [View Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-windows-server-2012-r2/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-17+06%3A19%3A23+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=0818f64a-338a-46a2-a87f-93374bec44ff&secure%5Btoken%5D=c7435262d6834568f19f1233a164b5f111de7c0f07d14d0a399697e212de57b2&format=llm_user) ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Features **Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace** - Autonomous Task Execution - Multi-step Planning - Cross-system Integration