Converting Between Windows Server 2012 R2 Core and GUI

Converting Between Core and GUI

You can convert the full GUI version of Windows Server 2012 R2 to Server Core or vice versa at any time; further, you can interconvert the GUI version between any of the three options described in Chapter 1.
Use the following procedure to convert the full GUI server to Server Core:

1. From the Search charm, type powershell and select Windows PowerShell.
2. Type the following cmdlet:
   

   Uninstall-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra –Restart

3. A display on the PowerShell window tracks the removal process, which takes several minutes. A Configuring Windows features message then appears as the GUI is removed. After a few more minutes, the server restarts. When the logon screen appears, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and log back on as an administrator.

Use the following procedure to convert a Server Core computer to run the full GUI:

1. From the administrative command prompt, type powershell.
2. Type the following command:
   

   Get-WindowsImage -ImagePath <path to wim>\install.wim

3. This command returns the index number for the server with a GUI image. Then type the following command:
   

   Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra, Server-Gui-Shell –
   Restart –Source wim:<path to wim>\install.wim:<Index #>

4. Wait as Windows configures features and restarts; then press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and log back on as an administrator.

If you are converting a server that was originally installed in GUI mode back to GUI from Server Core, the procedure is slightly simpler. Use the following PowerShell command in place of those given in steps 2 and 3:

Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra,Server-Gui-Shell
–Restart

To install the complete desktop experience on your server (including access to Windows Store apps as in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1), use the following PowerShell command and then restart your computer. This mode adds a link to Windows Store on the Start screen, as shown in Figure 2-9:

Install-WindowsFeature Desktop-Experience

Figure 2-9 The complete desktop experience in Windows Server 2012 R2 enables you to add Windows Store apps.

Installing the minimal server interface on your server requires you to remove the Start screen shell. Use the following PowerShell command and then restart your computer. You receive a command prompt window and the Server Manager console as previously shown in Figure 2-8.

Uninstall-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Shell