Share via

Windows 2016 Server core to Windows 10

SOL 1 Reputation point
2020-08-04T03:54:04.377+00:00

I had recently installed ISO Windows Server 2016 for an online class, I made the mistake of selecting the core installation instead of the desktop experience. Now All I see is the CMD line window. I tried booting my laptop to factory settings (didnt work). Used USB media boot (Didnt work) and tried Install-WindowsFeature Server-GUI-Shell -Restart (Didnt work) I think this feature doesnt work for 2016 Server.Please help!! Don't want to buy another laptop

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Other

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-08-06T13:46:40.09+00:00

    The option to convert core -> GUI has been removed from Server 2016 so you'll just need to boot from the installation media again but this time choose a Desktop Experience option to get the GUI

    16049-image.png

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Jenny Feng 14,291 Reputation points
    2020-08-04T06:32:52.24+00:00

    Hi,

    Do you mean you just wrong installed the core edition of Windows server 2016?
    What is the pre-installed system version of your device?
    If you want to change it back to windows 10, I would recommend you to re-install Windows 10 with installation media.
    If it is an OEM Windows 10, you may confirm with the computer manufacture about the function.

    If you want to get the GUI features, you could try the steps below:
    Open PowerShell console and type Get-WindowsFeature -Name GUI into it.

    You would find that all the install state of the GUI features listed are shown as removed. And now you should try to install the removed GUI features. Before that, you should make sure that your server has access to internet.

    Just type Install-WindowsFeature -Name Server-Gui-Shell, Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra into PowerShell console and press Enter to execute it.
    Then type Restart-Computer into the PowerShell console to restart your server.

    Hope above information can help you.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Chileshe Brian Mulenga 1 Reputation point
    2020-08-04T04:42:42.327+00:00

    anonymous user-6304 What laptop is it?

    Also, are you trying to change it back to windows 10 or install the windows server desktop experience?

    Have you prioritised boot from USB in the BIOS configuration on your laptop?

    Cheers

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.