Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials from Microsoft provides small businesses with a server solution that can support up to 25 users and 50 devices. It provides management, networking, data storage and backup, security, and document and printer sharing. All your applications and information are protected, centralized, and organized using Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and can be accessed almost anywhere using virtually any device. Carrying over all the same features of Windows Server 2012 Essentials, this release 2 version has added options to server and client deployments and enhancements in users and groups, server storage, remote web access, and more.

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials provides improved data protection capabilities by offering Windows Azure online backup that can be used to protect files and folders in a cloud-based storage service that is managed by Microsoft. Another feature is Storage Space that allows you to group physical drives together into a storage pool to create storage spaces, which are virtual drives that appear in File Explorer. This allows you to create larger storage spaces by adding more drives when you run low on pool capacity.

This product is part of the Microsoft Business Open Licensing program that is designed for businesses with 5 to 250 users or devices. The purchase of this product provides one perpetual software license for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials that is installed on a server with 1 or 2 CPUs. However, a minimum initial purchase of five licenses is required to qualify for the Open License Agreement. You can purchase any combination of Open License software products to fulfill the Open License Agreement. Once you have met the requirements, you can purchase additional licenses during the two-year term. You will receive an e-mail with instructions to access the Volume Licensing Service Center website. Afterwards, you will use your Windows Live ID, an Open License authorization number, and a license number to access the VLSC website to download your software product. The VLSC stores all your licenses so that you can better manage and track them. You can also obtain a physical media disc from Microsoft for an additional fee to install the licensed software.

Microsoft Software Assurance enhances the licensing agreement for Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials during your term. It includes beta and final versions of the latest software versions of Windows Server Essentials when they are released. When help is needed, you can contact the 24 x 7 problem resolution department via phone or web. Software Assurance also offers TechNet experts to train your IT department. In addition, it provides licensing for servers used as offline "cold" backups for disaster recovery purposes, deployment planning services, extended Hotfix support, and technical information.