Win2012InitialSetup

Goal

Configure basic Windows settings to make it more convenient to use inside a VM.

Outline:

• Prerequisites
• Evaluation License
• Guest Additions
• Server Manager
• Automatic Login
• Folder Options
• Windows Update

Prerequisites

• Windows 2012 installed in VirtualBox (see Win2012VBoxInstall)

Evaluation License

Lets obtain a free 180 days evaluation license from Microsoft:

1. Run cmd.exe command line:

2. Type slmgr /ato, in some seconds system will be registered with Microsoft and activation confirmation window should appear:

3. Type slmgr /dlv to check the license details:

Guest Additions

Lets install VirtualBox guest additions to enable a shared folder support, window resizing and shared clipboard:

1. In VirtualBox menu choose Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD Image. Run VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe from the mounted CD drive:

2. Choose default options in installer UI:

3. Check that shared folder is mounted automatically after the reboot:

Server Manager

Lets disable Server Manager application on OS startup:

1. In Server Manager menu choose Manage -> Server Manager Properties and disable autostart there:

Automatic Login

Lets make the VM to login as Administrator automatically after the boot:

1. Open Local Security Policy UI:

2. Disable Ctrl+Alt+Del requirement:

3. Disable (prolong) password expiry:

4. Open netplwiz utility:

5. Enable login without password:

Folder Options

Lets allow showing file extensions and hidden files in Explorer:

1. In Explorer choose View -> Options -> Change folder and search options -> View. Choose the required options there:

Windows Update

1. To install OS updates open "Windows Updates". First time update installation can take a long time (hour+):