Quickly Convert from Core to GUI

Stop the command line madness!

Windows Server 2012 R2 on a VMWare vSphere 5.5 Virtual Machine


After accidentally installing a Windows Server 2012 R2 Core only version for my new Exchange 2016 server I went searching on the internet for the correct process to convert from Windows Server 2012 R2 Core to GUI.

A quick search revealed numerous web sites with the knowledge needed to go from Windows Server 2012 R2 Core to GUI. However, none of them worked for me. I tried this command and that. I found the correct index and used that in the next command however the process always failed with and error.


Error Message:
Install-WindowsFeature : The request to add or remove features on the specified server failed.
Installation of one or more roles, role services, or features failed.  The source files could not be downloaded. 
Use the source option to specify the location of the files that are required to restore the feature.
Error: 0x800F0906

After a few more failed attempts I stumbled on a very quick and easy way to make the change from Windows Server 2012 R2 Core to GUI. Let me add that I was doing this on a VMWare vSphere 5.5 virtual machine.


1.      Mount the Windows Server 2012 R2 installation ISO to the virtual machine CD
2.      Restart the Windows Server 2012 R2 VM
3.      Once the server has started, in the Administrators console type D: then hit “ENTER”
4.      You should see the installation media files. Type setup.exe then hit “ENTER”
5.      Select the Windows Server 2012 R2 with GUI
6.      Select Advanced install as you cannot upgrade the Windows Server 2012 R2 Core to GUI
7.      Accept the prompt that says “All files and folders will be deleted”
8.      Run the install like normal



It should be that simple. Or I can say that it was for me. This method took way less time than actually finding and trying to run everything command line. I hope it helps you. 

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