Differences Between Windows Server 2012 and 2016

Last Updated on December 19, 2021 by QCity Editorial Stuff

Windows Server 2012 and 2016 are both great operating systems to run your business. They each have their strengths, but what are the main differences? We’ll discuss some of the key features that set them apart below.

The Windows Server Operating System is a server-based operating system made by Microsoft for use on servers. The first version was released in 1973 and has undergone many changes over time to allow it to be more efficient, secure, and reliable than its predecessors. With different versions come different features- here’s an overview of Windows Server 2012 vs Windows Server 2016.

Windows Server 2012 may not be as well supported compared to other products like Exchange or SQL (Microsoft considered discontinuing support). It also doesn’t include any new features beyond what was included in the 2012 version. To receive updates, you must upgrade to Windows Server 2016 which also includes all of the features of Windows Server 2012.

Comparison between Windows Server 2012 and 2016

Parameters of comparison	Windows Server 2012	Windows Server 2016
Operating system	Windows Server 2012 is a 32-bit operating system	Windows Server 2016 is 64-bit
GUI	Windows Server 2012 has no GUI	Windows Server 2016 does have a GUI
GB Ram	2 GB RAM for Windows Server 2012	8 GB RAM for Windows Server 2016
Storage feature	In Window server 2012, there are no new storage features	2016 there are new storage features such as Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica which provide fault tolerance at the file level for your data
System	Popular system	Popular system

What is Windows Server 2012?

Windows Server 2012 is an important release from Microsoft that offers many new features and enhancements. The most notable changes include a move to a graphical user interface, the ability to run on tablets and other devices, built-in PowerShell support, and the ability to manage multiple servers from a single console. In this article, we will explore these new features in more detail and provide you with information on how to get started using Windows Server 2012.

Windows Server 2012 is the latest and greatest version of Microsoft’s flagship server operating system. It features a new Metro-inspired interface, provides improved scalability and performance, and offers innovative cloud computing capabilities that enable companies to stay on top of their ever-changing business needs.

While Windows Server 2008 offered some basic improvements over its predecessor (Windows Server 2003), Windows Server 2012 is a major leap forward in terms of both functionality and usability. As such, it’s certainly worth checking out if you’re looking for an enterprise-level server operating system or are employed by an organization already running Windows Server 2008 R2.

Differences Between Windows Server 2012 and 2016

What is Windows Server 2016?

Windows Server 2016 is Microsoft’s flagship server operating system. Released in October 2016, Windows Server 2016 is a powerful platform that can be used for a variety of purposes, from small business infrastructure to large-scale cloud deployments. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key features of Windows Server 2016, and how you can use it in your organization.

Windows Server 2016 is the latest server operating system from Microsoft. It offers several new features and enhancements, including support for Containers and Nano Server. In this article, we will take a look at some of the key features of Windows Server 2016. We will also discuss how you can use it to improve your business efficiency.

10 Differences Between Windows Server 2012 and 2016

1. Windows Server 2012 is a 32-bit operating system, while Windows Server 2016 is 64-bit.

2. One of the main differences between these two servers is that Windows Server 2012 has no GUI, while Windows Server 2016 does have a GUI.

3. The installation process for both servers requires you to install .NET Framework 4 and PowerShell 3 or later before installing the server.

4. Microsoft recommends using WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) to update your computer with security patches on both servers.

5. The minimum hardware requirements are different – they are 2 GB RAM for Windows Server 2012 and 8 GB RAM for Windows Server 2016.

6. You need an NTFS formatted drive with at least 10 GB available space to install either server; however, if you’re running out of space on your C:\ drive then it’s best not to install either one because they will use up more disk space than other programs would.

7. The GUI interface for managing the server has been updated from MMC to PowerShell in Window Server 2016.

8. You can now use a graphical user interface to manage Hyper-V virtual machines in Window Server 2016.

9. In Window server 2012, there are no new storage features but with window server 2016 there are new storage features such as Storage Spaces Direct and Storage Replica which provide fault tolerance at the file level for your data.

10. There’s an improved version of Remote Desktop Services called RDSH or Remote Desktop Session Host that allows users to connect remotely through a web browser without installing any client software on their computer.

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Windows Server 2012

1. Windows Server 2012 can be installed on a system with up to 64 processors.

2. It is the first OS that includes the Hyper-V role.

3. The Standard edition of Windows Server 2012 has no user interface and cannot be used for interactive logon.

4. It supports live migration between servers, making it easier to move your workloads around in case you need more space or want to upgrade hardware.

5. You can use this OS as a host for virtual machines, which allows you to run multiple operating systems at once without having them take up any physical space on your computer’s hard drive.

6. There are four editions of Windows Server 2012 available – Foundation, Essentials, Datacenter, and Standard (the last two require an additional license).

Interesting Statistics or Facts of Windows Server 2016

1. Windows Server 2016 is the latest version of windows server and it’s available to download.

2. It includes new features such as Nano Server, Storage Spaces Direct, Hyper-V Containers, Remote Desktop Services.

3. And more.

4. This blog post will include 10 interesting statistics or facts about Windows Server 2016.

5. 1) The minimum hardware requirements for running a Nano Server include 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space.

6. 2) With Storage Spaces Direct you can use your local disks without any additional hardware required.

Conclusion

Windows Server 2012 vs. Windows Server 2016: It is important to know the differences between these two versions of Microsoft’s server operating system to understand which one will suit your needs best. If you are looking for a stable, reliable platform that is easy to use and scalable, then Windows Server 2012 might be right for you. However, if agility or security are more important factors than stability, the newer version may be better suited to what you need. Before making any decisions about which OS to choose it would be wise to consult with experts who can help identify whether either of these platforms will work well for your company’s specific needs; contact us today.