Let's get into the task straight. I have tried to make it simple on how to install your first Exchange Server 2013 on a Windows Server 2012 infrastructure. I already have given an idea about the pre-requisites and things to check before we start the installation on my preview installation guide. You may read those here, otherwise let's get started!!

My Lab,

- One Domain Controller (Windows Server 2012 Std), and the functional level is Windows 2008 r2 (you may chose 2012 as well).
- One Member Server (Windows Server 2012 Std)
- Domain Name heloed.local

In case if you wish to use the Domain Controller to prepare your AD, you must install the following features additionally.

1. Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
2. Windows Management Framework 3.0
3. Install the Remote Tools Administration Pack (run Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS on 2012 server or Add-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS on 2008 server)

And then prepare the domain by using the setup /PrepareSchema and/or by running setup /PrepareAD /OrganizationName:<organization name>. The second command will also extend the schema, so you don't have to run prepareschema if you plan to use the same administrator account which has the forest level permission.

Once you prepare your AD, you can straight go and install the Exchange Server. But, here I have planned to club the AD preparation and Exchange Server installation together so I did not install the above features on my DC.

Let's start the Exchange part,

• Execute the below commands to add the required features to the server,

For CAS role only installation,
Install-WindowsFeature AS-HTTP-Activation, Desktop-Experience, NET-Framework-45-Features, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, Web-Mgmt-Console, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-Identity-Foundation

• Restart the server to continue with the installation.

• Install the 3 components below in order (if you plan to install CAS role only, the filterpacks are not required),

1. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit

2. Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Pack 64 bit

3. Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Pack SP1 64 bit

It is time to start the actual Exchange Server 2013 installation,

• Extract the Exchange-x64.EXE to "C:\Ex2013_Extract" directory, and navigate the directory where it is extracted and double click on "setup", start the wizard and click next on "Check for updates" section on wizard. It will intiate the Copying Files process.

• Click next on Introduction and proceed to License Agreement section. select I agree and proceed next.

• On Recommended Settings section, I chose Don't use. you may select the appropriate.

• Select the Server Roles on the next screen, I chose both Mailbox and Client Access Roles. Click on next to proceed,

• If you wish to change the installation path, you may do on the next screen. Click next once you finalyze the installation path.

• Give and Org Name, I given it as HeloED

Now you may sit back and relax (as we see in earlier version of windows installation :) until it finishes its work and it takes about 30 - 40 minutes...You will receive a successful installation screen once all the installation steps are over.

I would rate the installation of Exchange Server 2013 is simpler compare the earlier versions, now you can open the Exchange Administration Console (EAC) to further finalize the post installation tasks. I have written an another post related to the Exchange Server 2013 preview version installation on Windows Server 2008 R2. If you wish to install on 2008 server, you may read that.

-Praveen