--- 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: '2026-07-19' 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 appreciate the **ease of use** of Windows Server 2012 R2, enjoying its stable and intuitive interface. (2 reviews) - Users praise the **stability and reliability** of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, noting very few outages. (2 reviews) - Users appreciate the **flexible setup and configuration** of Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, making installation straightforward. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **good storage capacity** of Windows Server 2012 R2, enhancing performance and efficiency. (1 reviews) - Users commend the **easy and versatile installation** process of Windows Server 2012 R2, enhancing their setup experience. (1 reviews) - Easy Integrations (1 reviews) - Easy Setup (1 reviews) - Flexibility (1 reviews) - Performance (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users often face **compatibility issues** with newer software versions on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, hindering functionality. (1 reviews) - Users experience **inaccuracy issues** with Windows Server 2012 R2, leading to frustrating latency and software compatibility problems. (1 reviews) - Users are concerned about the **limited availability** of support for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 as its lifespan ends. (1 reviews) - Users experience **network issues** like frustrating latency and poor automatic remote connections with Windows Server 2012 R2. (1 reviews) - Users find Windows Server 2012 R2 to be **prone to security issues** , needing constant updates to combat vulnerabilities. (1 reviews) - Security Vulnerabilities (1 reviews) - Slow Performance (1 reviews) ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Reviews ### 1. 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. ### 2. 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 ### 3. 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 ## 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?filters%5Bnps_score%5D%5B%5D=5§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-12+11%3A20%3A26+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=1a9fbd61-9fbc-4ca8-ac9e-85c77f9ca8a1&secure%5Btoken%5D=7ab436589dc273212d95daceb0507b729eff62ca8c8becce33214e41175ec121&format=llm_user) ## Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Features **Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace** - Autonomous Task Execution - Multi-step Planning - Cross-system Integration ## Top Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Alternatives - [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (9,390 reviews) - [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (4,044 reviews) - [Okta](https://www.g2.com/products/okta/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (1,339 reviews)