Hands on with the Windows Server 2012 (8) Beta – Core Installation

I ran up a default installation, which happens to be Server Core, no Windows Explorer!
After completing the install, you will be required to change the Administrator password:image
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Then you will be presented with the user interface:
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The first command I tried was “PowerShell” and it worked. Just like in the previous version, PowerShell is available on Server core. Time to familiarise myself with some of the new cmdlets.
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If you remember oobe.exe from Windows Server 2008 (also called “Initial Configuration”), it provided a list of commonly configured settings on a new server. I will use it as a guide to configure Windows Server 8 Core.
Alright, first on the list, setting the product key.
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Wow! Honestly, could that be any easier?
Let’s try and set the date/time next:
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Also very easy, there could still be a PowerShell cmdlet for this, but the Control Panel applet will do for now…
Next, lets try and rename the computer.
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Is that easier than using the GUI? I think so! Ok, restart time.
Logon screen:
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Alright, all logged in, back to PowerShell.
Alright, let’s enable remote desktop… Remote Desktop really isn’t needed on Window Server these days, but I want to see how to enable it regardless! Remote Shell is where it’s at!
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Huh? None of those cmdlets scream “enable remote desktop”. Alright let’s use sconfig!
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Turns out there are a few other things I might want to set in sconfig, I will do those and then exit.

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