Windows Server 2008 R2. Looks like windows 95?

Well yes, it would have to be for at least Vista/Win7, but preferably for Win7 (especially in an OS like Server 2008 R2, which is less forgiving of something it's not really designed for.

Configure the "File Server" role. You should get the Managing Roles screen each time you log in (by default) poke around in there and you can configure your server to do what you need it to. Once you click on the role you want its just a walk through of steps for setting it up, like anything Windows ~mostly~.

Without third party software you need to configure the VPN on your router, how you would do it depends on the router, and VPN support is usually higher end routers, not the cheap home routers you can buy anywhere. You will still need software to connect to your VPN, but it will be software that either came with your router, or is downloaded from the router manufacturer's website (Cisco, SonicWall, etc.).
If you are on your local network then you should be able to see your computer listed in the network, and navigate to it to see the shared folders, this should be able to be accomplished without any additional software. If not something is wrong.
WAN is Wide Area Network, just means a network that spans a large geographical area, could be a city, state, whatever. Where a LAN would be like a campus or building, smaller area.
VPN is a Virtual Private Network, it is a connection made across "the cloud" (doesn't matter how you get there) but the end result is a connection to your Local Network.
Class dismissed.

Well team viewer is more a remote control program than a remote access program. I've never used it personally so I'm not sure of everything you can do with it. We use a VPN to get to our local network, and then VNC or remote desktop once we are in to work on servers and computers remotely. Once you're connected to your VPN you can do anything that you would do if you were connected to the network locally including file sharing, printing, access email through outlook/exchange, remote desktop, etc.

pparks1 said:

Well, it is a server based operating system. Glitz and eye-candy isn't exactly a priority for a server based OS.

Devux said:

All well and good. But it is a server. You should really concentrate on providing all the CPU power to things that are connecting to it, not making it look shiny like Windows 7. Aero theme eats up some resources it does.

Markmental said:

it's supposed to be a server os it just works. no glitter or anything

As we have already established.