vCenter

Can the windows based client create VM templates?  I created a Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard VM and would like to use that as a template for all VMs that follow.  However, I haven't created the vCenter Server VM yet but would like to use the W2012R2 VM as its base.  I can't see how to do it with the client that I have.  If not a template, can I just duplicate the VM?  I don't want to have to use this first VM for vCenter Server and then have to create another one from scratch for use as the template.

To create templates and clone virtual machines you will need vCenter server in place, but you can use alternative ways to clone this virtual machine to use as vCenter base, take a look at this blog post: Cloning a VM without vCenter in ESXi 5.1 free edition | Curiosity killed the cat