Windows Server 2012 R2 Update 1

As you may or may not know, the update to Windows 8.1 will become generally available as a Windows Update (KB2919355) on Tuesday April 8, 2014. But this update also applies to Windows Server 2012 R2.

If you have a TechNet or MSDN subscription, you can gain early access to the update.

I have installed the latest build of the Windows Server 2012 R2 Update ISO (currently labelled as: en_windows_server_2012_r2_vl_with_update_x64_dvd_4065221), to test it out.

According to the following TechNet article: “If you are running Windows Server 2012 R2, this update will appear as a required update in Windows Update as KB2919355. You can also obtain a version of Windows Server 2012 R2 that has the update already included from the Microsoft Download Center (search that location for KB2919355).”

So after the installation, let’s confirm we are running the latest version of Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update.

If you open Server Manager, and go to Help > About Server Manager, you will see the Server Manager Information dialog.

Note the Build Number shows as: 6.3.9600.16384. But, according to the TechNet article referenced, “To confirm the exact version of Windows Server 2012 R2 that is installed on a computer, run Msinfo32.exe. If Windows Server 2012 R2 Update is installed, the value reported for Hardware Abstraction Layer will be 6.3.9600.17031.”

So, let’s follow the instructions. Right-click the Start icon, and choose Run.

In the Run dialog box, type MSInfo32.exe and press OK.

This will launch the System Information dialog. And, if we check the Hardware Abstraction Layer, we see that Version = 6.3.9600.17031.

Next let’s compare some of the screens/options between Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update.

On the Start Screen, you will notice that the user interface includes buttons for Search and Power.

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

On the Settings Charm, under the Tiles option, we see a new option/setting for “Show More Apps In App View”. Enabling this option makes the application icons smaller so that more apps are shown per column.

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

Also, if you install any new applications, on the Start Screen you are now informed about it. And, the new applications are highlighted so that they stand out.

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

You will also note that the expanded Apps view is slightly different. Notice the “D”, “I”, etc. on the left side of the screen.

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

What else is new/different? Well, let’s log into the system and right-click on the taskbar and choose Properties. Notice that there is now an option for “Show Windows store apps on the taskbar.”

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

If you mouse-over to the right side of the screen to access the Settings charm. Within there, click on Settings and then click on “Change PC Settings” at the bottom.

First notice that there is a Title Bar (similar to being in the “non-Metro”  Windows space). Notice also that we have the Context menu, and can split the screen view in different ways. There’s even a button on the right to Minimize and/or Close the window.

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

Looking in the Accounts space, there’s a new option for “Other Accounts”.

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

Looking in the PC Ad Devices space, there’s a new option for “Disk Space”.

Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update

So, that’s a brief look at some of the differences in Windows Server 2012 R2 with Update.