Windows 2012 Server Core: How To Install Minimal Server Interface

The Minimal Server Interface includes Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Server Manager, and a subset of Control Panel.  It is similar to a Server with a GUI installation, but Internet Explorer 10, Windows Explorer, the desktop, and the Start screen are not installed.

In order to install Minimal Server Interface on server core, the following steps need to be carried out:

1.    Create a new folder in C:\ drive by issuing the below command at the command prompt:

       C:\> mkdir c:\mount

2.    Put the Windows 2012 DVD into the DVD drive (i.e. D:\)

3.    Open Powershell, then issue the below command to mount the windows image:

       PS C:\> mount-windowsimage –path c:\mount –imagepath d:\sources\install.wim –index 2 -readonly

4.    At the Powershell prompt, issue the below command to install the “Server Graphical Management Tools & Infrastructure” feature on the server core:

       PS C:\> install-windowsfeature server-gui-mgmt-infra –restart –source c:\mount\windows\winsxs

5.    Restart the server after the installation completed.

The Server Manager and command prompt will appear after you login to the server.