File Restore from Windows Server 2012 Essentials

I am working with a domain managed by a Server 2012 Essentials system.  All of the client systems are being backed up through the automated backup tool that is part of Essentials.  One of the client pc's has failed such that no data is recoverable from the PC.  The system will be replaced by a laptop.  I cannot find information on how to join the new laptop to the domain and then retrieve the backed up files.  

If the replacement was a similar class system then a bare metal restore would be viable.  if I was just repairing the old system then file restore works easily.  But I do not expect that a bare metal restore from a 5 year old desktop will work to a new laptop.  It appears that accessing the file restore is tied to the domain properties of the dead system.

Is there a way to retrieve the file backup to the new laptop?  

Thanks,

The Old hunter
TheOldHunterAsked:
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David AtkinTechnical DirectorCommented:
Do you have File History Backups working?
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TheOldHunterAuthor Commented:
Yes.  File History is working.
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David AtkinTechnical DirectorCommented:
Do you need anything other than what is in the file history folders?

I.e is there something ok C that you need?

If not I would connect via the connect wizard. Upon login it will ask if you want to sync your file history folders.
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Rob WilliamsCommented:
The system restore doesn't care about the hardware and will restore to a different system, but how successful you will be depends on being able to get to a boot point and update drivers.  Similar machines are no problem, a laptop may have so many different drivers you cannot succeed.  If desperate find a temporary PC, keeping as many things similar, processor make (Intel/AMD), drive type (IDE/SATA/SSD), etc.  It is Windows that will have issues, not the restore process.

You may also require the following hotfix, though that is more for file restore than system:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2015/03/13/the-ms15-10-security-update-for-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-and-the-client-restore-functionality.aspx

There are also licensing issues.  An OEM license cannot be installed on other hardware, though it may boot so you can recover the data, but the license may not activate.
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Windows Server 2012

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