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I regularly swap OS during a development process. With "normal" OSs I can expect and install (.iso) to reach <=4GB, no problem, I usually use DVD. Now, I need to do some testing with Windows Server 2012 R2, this .iso is HUGE at 5.2GB!

The problem I have is that this will not fit on a single DVD, and it will not fit on a bootable USB stick due to file size limitations of FAT32.

I could split the file over separate DVDs, but I don't think this is possible from experience (am I wrong?).

My question is a simple one, how can I install Windows Server 2012 R2?

Thanks for your time.

That should be format fs=ntfs quick... NOT format fs-ntfs quick (eq sign instead of dash) – user489290 Aug 27, 2015 at 19:14

You have to burn the iso on a double-layer DVD, where you can store up to 8.5 GB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD%2BR_DL

You can also use an USB key in FAT32, as you have to copy installation files on it (not the .iso) which aren't bigger than the FAT32 limit ( https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn293258.aspx )

DL DVDs are a solution but can cause integrity errors for a lot of ODDs. And that will prevent the OS from installing. – Overmind Feb 4, 2015 at 10:45 @Overmind - Since when exactly? I have been using double layered DVDs for a decade, the movie industry has been doing it for longer than that, I have never heard of a problem with double layered disks. – Ramhound Feb 4, 2015 at 11:39 I'd vote this down in this particular instance as it's generalised advice, not tailored for this question. The 2012 R2 disk contains some files which are > 4GB and won't copy to a FAT32 volume. – Snellgrove Nov 16, 2015 at 22:33