There are many promotions available, such as BizSpark which make it very affordable. The best news is that you don't pay for a virtual machine when it is turned off! (This is a big improvement over other virtualization providers in the past.)
Windows Server 2012 R2
Create a new Virtual Machine from an image of Windows Server 2012 R2. Why not one of the Visual Studio on Server 2012 gallery images? In short, Windows Store development is harder to get working. I could not get the simulator to run as it kept asking me to re-authenticate. (I still can't get the simulator to run under R2, but the app can run natively.)Connect
Select your new VM in the list and you should see a Connect button at the bottom of the page. Click that to get an .rdp file populated with the address and port of your new machine. Import that .rdp file into your client if you desire to save your username and password.
Microsoft has improved the RDP clients for Apple operating systems. If you use OS X or iOS I encourage you to try the free apps available in the App Store on both platforms. (Using the new touch-optimized Start menu is actually pleasant on the iPad as it recognizes the swipe gestures.)
Install Desktop Experience Feature
- Add Roles and Features Wizard
- Features page
- User Interface and Infrastructure
- Desktop Experience
Disable IE Enhanced Security
- Server Manager
- Local Server
- IE Enhanced Security Configuration: Off (both Admin & Users)
Download & Install Visual Studio 2013
If you try to download VS before disabling IE enhanced security you will have a lot of grief. Naturally, once you get VS installed you are free to turn it back on, though it is probably not necessary.Enjoy. Let me know if you run into any problems with these instructions so I can improve them.
