So today was RTM of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials released.
I immediately tried to do an in-place upgrade of an existing RTM 2012 Essentials to RTM 2012 R2 Essentials, but get:
Windows Server 2012 Essentials cannot be upgraded to Windows Server
2012 R2 Essentials. You can choose to install a new copy of Windows
Server 2012 R2 Essentials instead, but this is different from an
upgrade, and does not keep your files, settings, and programs. You’ll
need to reinstall any programs using the original installation discs
or files. To save your files before installing Windows, back them up
to an external location such as a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. To
install a new copy of Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, click the
Back button in the upper left-hand corner, and select “Custom
(advanced)”.
This seems a bit odd, is this really the case? I can't find anything in the official documentation stating that this upgrade isn't possible.