Windows Server 2012 Essentials hits general availability, trial available

Small businesses and their IT departments looking to take advantage of Microsoft’s latest server operating system now have an option to try out.

Windows Server 2012 Essentials is now generally available, Jeffrey Snover wrote in a blog post on Microsoft’s Windows Server blog.

The Essentials product is a stripped-down version of the feature-rich, “kitchen sink” Windows Server 2012, which became generally available in September.

Essentials boasts a simpler set up process while maintaining low costs. It also brings over many of the same features from the Datacenter version. This includes data protection and backup, client computer health monitoring and simple VPN setup.

It supports up to 25 users and 50 devices and is primarily positioned as an on-premises option for companies.

A trial version is available from Microsoft for 180 days.