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Added by Rick Trader April 8, 2016

You have finished configuring your Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter computer with the either the MiniShell or the Full Graphical Interface and now you want to convert the computer to a Core edition. In this blog I will show you the steps to remove the graphical interfaces using Server Manager.

Converting Windows Server 2012 R2 to Core edition

1. Launch Powershell.

2. To determine syntax of features you want to uninstall, type Get-Windowsfeature.

Note: To convert completely back to a Core installation both the Server Graphical Shell (Server-Gui-Shell) and the Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure (Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra) have to be unistalled.

Note: To convert to the MiniShell only the Server Graphical Shell (Server-Gui-Shell) has to be uninstalled.

Note: I will be converting completely back to a Core Installation.

3. Type Uninstall-Windowsfeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra, Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra –restart.

Note: If you desire to remove the Binaries from the C:\Windows\WINSxS folder add the –remove switch to the above CMDLET.

4. After the computer restarts, logon and verify the graphical interfaces have been removed.

Check back later for more blogs relating to:

• Using PowerShell to convert to the Full Graphical Shell on a Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition.

• Using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.EXE) tool to convert to the Full Graphical Shell on a Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition from installation media.
• Using PowerShell to convert to the MiniShell on a Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition.
• Using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.EXE) tool to convert to the MiniShell on a Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
• Using PowerShell convert to the Full Graphical Shell on a Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Core Edition.

Until next time – Ride Safe!

Rick Trader
Windows Server Instructor – Interface Technical Training
Phoenix, AZ