Convert a Server Core Installation to Gui

Step 1

If the server is a physical computer, then insert the Windows Server 2012 Operating System Disc into the DVD drive (D: in this example)

If the server is a virtual machine, then first step is to mount a Windows Server 2012 source ISO image to the VM or insert a Windows Server 2012 DVD in the DVD drive of the host machine and attach it to the VM running Windows Server 2012 Server Core as shown below:

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back1

Step 2

At the command prompt type:

mkdir c:\mount

Issue the following command and press Enter:

dism.exe /mount-image /ImageFile:d:\sources\install.wim /Index:4 /Mountdir:c:\mount /readonly

Start Windows Powershell by typing the following command:

Powershell.exe

From the Windows Powershell prompt issue the following commands and press Enter after each:

Import-Module ServerManager
Install-WindowsFeature –IncludeAllSubFeature User-Interfaces-Infra –Source:c:\mount\windows

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back2

Step 3

When prompted, restart the server and logon as Administrator to verify the installation of the GUI components:

Shutdown /r /t 0

Verify that the GUI components appear

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back3

 

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back4

Step 4

To convert a Windows Server 2012 Full Installation to a Server Core Installation, open Windows Powershell and issue the following commands:

Import-Module ServerManager
Uninstall-WindowsFeature User-Interfaces-Infra

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back5

Wait for the removal to complete:

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back6

Step 5

Restart by issuing the following command:

Shutdown /r /t 5

The following screen appears:

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back7

 

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back8

 

ServerCoreTOWinGUI-and-back9

 

The server restarts with Server Core features.