I think you are missing the role of Hyper-V. You don't need to download anything. It is all included in Hyper-V and the host.
Windows Server 2012 R2 is installed as a host. You go to the roles section and enable Hyper-V. In Hyper-V Manager, you make your VM. You then install the guest OS; in this case Microsoft will allow you two copies of Windows Server R2. You can also use a role in the server host to enable Windows Server Essentials Experience.
In order to revert to a snapshot and allow it to revert the database, it would have to be installed in a VM. The database would be there as would the AC folder. All of the clients would have to access the XML file to access the database just as now.
This is just my take on what you are trying to do, which sounds good. But, just going by my lack of experience, I know I am taking my time. It seems like you are really moving quickly in an area that has a lot to offer and many ways to do it. But, unless you are Sandeep or Indy or I am sure many others, it may be good to get more of their take. One way to look at it is that Indy certainly knows this stuff, but he spends a good deal of his time with hosting and traveling the country, etc. Sandeep only builds servers and sets up networks and other things in that realm. Not to pit one against the other. It may be a good idea to see if either can set up a plan that would best suit your situation.
I know one thing I was taught by a friend of mine that will hopefully allow me to come out ahead this time with 2016. If it is done correctly the first time (I didn't really get it that way in 2008), then you will have a lot less issues.
Just my three cents.
