Windows Server Core to GUI full step by step process

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on converting a Windows Server 2012 R2 Core installation to a full Graphical User Interface (GUI) or minimal GUI. This process is useful for administrators who prefer a more visual management approach without the need for a complete OS reinstallation.

Step 1: Open PowerShell

• Access PowerShell on your Windows Server Core.
• You can do this by logging in and typing powershell in the command line interface.

Step 2: Check Current Installation

• To confirm your current installation type, run the following command:

  Get-WindowsFeature *GUI*
  

• Look for the "Server-GUI-Shell" and "Server-GUI-Mgmt" features in the output to see if they are installed.

Step 3: Install GUI Features

• If the GUI features are not installed, you can add them using the following command:

  Install-WindowsFeature Server-GUI-Shell, Server-GUI-Mgmt -Restart
  

• This command installs both the full GUI and management tools. The -Restart flag will automatically restart the server once the installation is complete.

Step 4: Verify Installation

• After the server restarts, log back in and open PowerShell again.
• Run the same command as in Step 2 to verify that the GUI features are now installed:

  Get-WindowsFeature *GUI*
  

• Ensure that "Installed" appears next to both features.

Step 5: Access the GUI

• Once the installation is verified, you can access the full GUI by navigating to the desktop environment.
• You should see the traditional Windows Server interface, allowing you to manage your server through a graphical interface.

Step 6: Optional Minimal GUI Installation

• If you prefer a minimal GUI installation instead of the full GUI, you can use the following command:

  Install-WindowsFeature Server-GUI-Mgmt -Restart
  

• This will install only the management tools, minimizing resource usage while still providing a GUI for administrative tasks.

Conclusion

Converting a Windows Server Core installation to a full or minimal GUI is a straightforward process using PowerShell commands. Remember to verify your installation after the process and choose the GUI version that best suits your administrative needs. This flexibility allows you to manage your server environment more effectively, catering to your operational preferences.