When deploying Windows Server, administrators are presented with different installation options tailored to various needs and environments. Among these, Windows Server Core stands out as a minimal installation option, designed for efficiency and security. This article delves into what Server Core is, its benefits, and how it differs from the traditional Server with Desktop Experience, providing a comprehensive understanding for IT professionals.
Server Core vs. Server with Desktop Experience: Choosing the Right Path
Upon installing Windows Server, users have the flexibility to select specific server roles, optimizing the server’s footprint. However, even with selective role installation, the Server with Desktop Experience option includes numerous services and components that might be unnecessary for certain server applications.
This is where Windows Server Core offers a distinct advantage. It eliminates services and features not essential for supporting core server roles. Consider a Hyper-V server, for example. It functions optimally without a graphical user interface (GUI), as management can be effectively handled via command-line tools like Windows PowerShell or remotely through Hyper-V Manager. This leaner approach is the essence of Server Core.
The Core Difference: Functionality Without the GUI
The most striking difference upon logging into a newly installed Server Core system is the absence of a familiar desktop. Unlike Server with Desktop Experience, Windows Server Core intentionally omits the following GUI shell packages:
- Microsoft-Windows-Server-Shell-Package
- Microsoft-Windows-Server-Gui-Mgmt-Package
- Microsoft-Windows-Server-Gui-RSAT-Package
- Microsoft-Windows-Cortana-PAL-Desktop-Package
This deliberate design choice means no desktop environment is available locally on Server Core. While retaining the robust capabilities required for business applications and role-based workloads, Server Core shifts management to command-line interfaces, PowerShell, or remote GUI tools such as Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) and Windows Admin Center.
Beyond the missing UI, Windows Server Core also differs in several other aspects compared to Server with Desktop Experience:
- Absence of accessibility tools directly on the server.
- No Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) for initial server setup.
- No audio support.
The table below illustrates the availability of applications locally on both Server Core and Server with Desktop Experience. It’s crucial to note that applications listed as “not available” on Server Core are often accessible remotely from a Windows client machine or through Windows Admin Center for server management.
| Application | Server Core | Server with Desktop Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Command prompt | available | available |
| Windows PowerShell/ Microsoft .NET | available | available |
| Perfmon.exe | not available | available |
| Windbg (GUI) | supported | supported |
| Resmon.exe | not available | available |
| Regedit | available | available |
| Fsutil.exe | available | available |
| Disksnapshot.exe | not available | available |
| Diskpart.exe | available | available |
| Diskmgmt.msc | not available | available |
| Devmgmt.msc | not available | available |
| Server Manager | not available | available |
| Mmc.exe | not available | available |
| Eventvwr | not available | available |
| Wevtutil (Event queries) | available | available |
| Services.msc | not available | available |
| Control Panel | not available | available |
| Windows Update (GUI) | not available | available |
| Windows Explorer | not available | available |
| Taskbar | not available | available |
| Taskbar notifications | not available | available |
| Taskmgr | available | available |
| Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge | not available | available |
| Built-in help system | not available | available |
| Windows 10 Shell | not available | available |
| Windows Media Player | not available | available |
| PowerShell | available | available |
| PowerShell ISE | not available | available |
| PowerShell IME | available | available |
| Mstsc.exe | not available | available |
| Remote Desktop Services | available | available |
| Hyper-V Manager | not available | available |
| WordPad 1 | not available | available |
Note: While WordPad is not locally available on Server Core, users can access and read .RTF files by copying them to a Windows computer with WordPad.
Enhancing Server Core with Features on Demand (FoD)
To extend the capabilities of Windows Server Core, Microsoft offers Features on Demand (FoD). These packages allow administrators to add specific features without resorting to the full Server with Desktop Experience installation.
For newer Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) versions, FoD packages can be obtained through the Microsoft Licensing Center, provided you have active Software Assurance and a Microsoft Work or School Account linked to VLSC or Business Center. Alternatively, access might be available via a Visual Studio Subscription, requiring a Microsoft account enrolled in an active subscription. The latest Server Insider FoD is downloadable from the Server Insider webpage for users enrolled in the Insider Program.
The availability of FoD packages significantly enhances the versatility of Server Core, allowing for customization and feature additions as needed. For example, applying a FoD package newer than version 1809 (Server 2019 LTSC) can greatly improve Server Core compatibility with various applications and tools.
Getting Started with Server Core: Installation and Management
Embracing Windows Server Core involves a shift in management approach, primarily focusing on command-line and remote administration.
Server Core installation: The installation process for Server Core is streamlined, offering a quicker setup compared to Server with Desktop Experience due to fewer components being installed.
Using Server Core: Management is primarily conducted through:
- Command Line: Utilizing commands for various administrative tasks.
- PowerShell: Leveraging the powerful scripting and automation capabilities of PowerShell.
- Remote Management Tools: Employing RSAT or Windows Admin Center from a separate management workstation to manage Server Core servers graphically.
By mastering these methods, administrators can effectively manage and maintain Windows Server Core environments, reaping the benefits of its reduced footprint, enhanced security, and optimized performance. For further in-depth information on the included and excluded roles and features in Server Core, refer to the official Microsoft documentation on Roles, Role Services, and Features included in Windows Server – Server Core and Roles, Role Services, and Features not included in Server Core.
