Planning for a server installation

In previous versions of Windows Server, installation planning could become a complex task. You had to decide from the outset what edition of the operating system to install, whether to install the 32-bit or 64-bit version, and whether you should perform a Server Core installation or use the full graphical user interface (GUI). All of these decisions affected the server hardware requirements, and all of them were irrevocable. To change the edition, the platform, or the interface, you have to reinstall the server from scratch.
With Windows Server 2012, the options are reduced substantially, and so are the installation decisions. There is no 32-bit version of Windows Server 2012; only a 64-bit operating system is available—reflecting the fact that most major applications are now 64-bit and that modern server configurations are typically supported on hardware that requires 64 bits. There are now only four Windows Server 2012 editions to choose from, down from six in Windows Server 2008 R2. The Server Core and full GUI installation options still remain, along with a third option, called the Minimal Server Interface. However, it is now possible to switch among these options without having to reinstall the operating system.