At least since the introduction of Windows Server the Windows world has changed dramatically. No excuses anymore for administrators, because if they are struggling with the huge amount of Windows updates, it’s up to them to install Core instead of the full graphical user interface installation method (Desktop-Experience).
The downside of Server Core was that many administrators are not familiar with sconfig.exe, PowerShell and Server Core overall. That’s now over. First, Windows Admin Center has been released and second, Features on Demand (FOD) is out which enables you to install a subset of graphical tools you are used to from the Desktop Experience installation method. For example, FOD enables you to administer Server Core with mmc.exe, Windows Explorer, Windows PowerShell ISE and much more.
To achieve our goal, all we need is Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 1809 and the FOD ISO file. Let’s jump in.
Installing Features on Demand (FOD)
First, download the Features on Demand ISO file from your Visual Studio portal or Volume License Service Center. Store the file on a network share.
Next, log on to your Server Core.
Start powershell.exe.
(Optional): Create a folder for storing the iso file that we will copy in the next step.
New-Item -ItemType Directory Temp
Now copy the ISO file from your network folder to a folder on your Server Core. In my case, I copy the file from \\dc01\share to the Server Core local folder C:\Temp.
Copy-Item -Path \\dc01\Share\en_windows_server_2019_features_on_demand_x64_dvd_c6194375.iso -Destination C:\Temp\
Now mount the image from the local folder.
Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath C:\Temp\en_windows_server_2019_features_on_demand_x64_dvd_c6194375.iso
Next, check out the mounted ISO drive letter with Get-Volume.
Finally, run dism.exe to install FOD as shown below. Watch out the drive letter in the source parameter.
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:"ServerCore.AppCompatibility~~~~0.0.1.0" /Source:f: /LimitAccess
Once done, we should follow the suggestion and restart the computer.
The New Features
After the restart, I check if some important new features are actually installed.
Windows Explorer on Server Core
MMC on Server Core
You certainly know what this means … we are now able to administer Server Core with a subset of MMC Snap-Ins, such as the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security and much more …
PowerShell ISE on Server Core
… and much more …
Have fun with your Server Core installation option!
Link
Microsoft Docs: Server Core App Compatibility Feature on Demand (FOD)
See also
Windows Server Core: Start with PowerShell by default
Installing PowerShell Core on Linux via Public Repository
This is not your fathers Windows Server: Setting up Server Core with PowerShell
Categories: Windows Server
Hallo Patrick,
erst einmal ein großes Lob für deinen Blog!
Ich erstelle aktuell eine Test-Domain, der DC ist hierbei als Core installiert. FOD habe ich installiert, ADDS, Hochstufung zum DC, alles ok.
Allerdings habe ich in der MMC kein Snap-In für das AD. Kann das nachträglich noch hinzugefügt werden? Oder muss ich die Verwaltung (Bspw. User-Generierung) von einem anderen Server mit GUI mittels RSAT durchführen?
Grüße Dominik
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Hi!
Beim Core und FOD gibt es meines Wissens noch kein AD Snap-In !?
Lg
P
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Habe die Lösung schon gefunden. Im Grunde ganz simpel und einleuchtend:
Über “Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS” installieren und schon hat man es in der MMC. Analog dazu kann man auch das Snap-In für DNS, DHCP… hinzufügen.
Grüße
Dominik
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