I have Server 2012 R2 running on my N54L, which I use as a Plex and file server. I do not have any AV running on it because the free ones (that I have tried, such as AVG) don't install if they detect a server OS. In my limited research compatible versions costs hundreds of dollars as they're aimed at enterprise.
I want some free/cheap and effective AV, and I don't want to perform any weird hacks such as fooling it to think it isn't running on a server OS. What options do I have?
www.clamav.net
But with clamav you'll have to run it once a day a week on your files cause it doesn't scan as the files as they come in like a normal virus scanner.
Here's some instructions to get Microsoft Security Essentials to work on windows server…
http://www.puryear-it.com/blog/2014/06/16/install-microsoft-…