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What is the Server Core installation option in Windows Server?

The Server Core option is a minimal installation option that is available when you're deploying the Standard or Datacenter edition of Windows Server. Server Core includes most but not all server roles. Server Core has a smaller disk footprint, and therefore a smaller attack surface due to a smaller code base.

Server (Core) vs Server with Desktop Experience

When you install Windows Server, you install only the server roles that you choose - this helps reduce the overall footprint for Windows Server. However, the Server with Desktop Experience installation option still installs many services and other components that are often not needed for a particular usage scenario.

That's where Server Core comes into play: the Server Core installation eliminates any services and other features that aren't essential for the support of certain commonly used server roles. For example, a Hyper-V server doesn't need a graphical user interface (GUI), because you can manage virtually all aspects of Hyper-V either from the command line using Windows PowerShell or remotely using the Hyper-V Manager.

The Server Core difference - core capabilities without the frills

When you finish installing Server Core on a system and sign in for the first time, you're in for a bit of a surprise. The main difference between the Server with Desktop Experience installation option and Server Core is that Server Core doesn't include 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

In other words, there's no desktop in Server Core, by design. While maintaining the capabilities required to support traditional business applications and role-based workloads, Server Core doesn't have a traditional desktop interface. Instead, Server Core is managed remotely through the command line, PowerShell, a GUI tool (like RSAT or Windows Admin Center).

In addition to no UI, Server Core also differs from the Server with Desktop Experience in the following ways:

  • Server Core doesn't have any accessibility tools
  • No OOBE (out-of-box-experience) for setting up Server Core
  • No audio support

The following table shows which applications are available locally on Server Core vs Server with Desktop Experience. Important: In most cases, applications that are listed as "not available" can be run remotely from a Windows client computer or Windows Admin Center to manage your Server Core installation.

Feature on Demand for Server Core download locations

Later Windows Server (SAC) FoD can be obtained from your specific MS Licensing Center, if you have got active Software Assurance. You'll need a Microsoft Work or School Account enrolled to VLSC or Business Center to access the FoD download.

Alternatively, you might have access to a Visual Studio Subscription. You'll need a Microsoft Home, Work, or School account, enrolled to an active Visual Studio subscription, to access the FoD download.

The latest Server Insider FoD is downloadable at the Server Insider webpage. You'll need a Microsoft Home, Work, or School account, enrolled to the Insider Program, to access the FoD download.

Feature on Demand - available features in Feature on Demand Package 1809

The list reflects the FoD level as of Version 1809 (Server 2019 LTSC). You can greatly enhance your Server Core compatibility by applying a FoD package newer than 1809.

Note

This list is intended for quick reference - it isn't intended to be a complete list.

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

1 To read .RTF files locally stored on Server Core, users can copy files to a different Windows computer where WordPad is present.

For more information about what is included in Server Core, see Roles, Role Services, and Features included in Windows Server - Server Core. And for information about what isn't included in Server Core, see Roles, Role Services, and Features not included in Server Core

Get started using Server Core

Use the following information to install, configure, and manage the Server Core installation option of Windows Server.

Server Core installation:

Using Server Core: