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Have you recently installed Windows Server 2019 and noticed that it lacks certain user interface features typically found in a desktop operating system? Don’t worry! In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to add the Desktop Experience feature to Windows Server 2019.
Step 1: Launch the Server Manager by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar and selecting "Server Manager" from the Start menu.
Step 2: In the Server Manager window, click on "Manage" located at the top-right corner and then select "Add Roles and Features" from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: The Add Roles and Features Wizard will open. Click "Next" to proceed.
Step 4: Select "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next."
Step 5: Choose the appropriate server from the server pool and click "Next."
Step 6: Scroll down and expand "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" in the list of features. Check the box next to "Desktop Experience" and click "Next."
Step 7: Review the information on the "Features" screen and click "Install" to begin the installation process. Wait for the installation to complete.
Once the installation is finished, you will have successfully added the Desktop Experience feature to Windows Server 2019. Now you can enjoy a more familiar desktop user interface and access features such as Windows Media Player, desktop themes, and various administration tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Enhanced user interface with desktop features. | 1. Consumes additional system resources. |
| 2. Provides access to familiar tools like Windows Media Player. | 2. Could potentially introduce additional security risks. |
| 3. Simplifies administration tasks with graphical interfaces. | 3. May not be necessary for server-only environments. |
By following these simple steps, you can easily add the Desktop Experience feature to Windows Server 2019 and enjoy a more intuitive user experience.
Video Tutorial:How do I add desktop experience feature?
How do I add desktop experience to Windows Server?
To add the desktop experience to Windows Server, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Server Manager: Click on the Windows icon in the taskbar, type "Server Manager," and click on the Server Manager app.
2. Add required features: In the Server Manager dashboard, click on "Manage" and select "Add Roles and Features." This will open the Add Roles and Features Wizard.
3. Select server: On the Before You Begin page, click "Next" to proceed.
4. Installation Type: Choose "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next."
5. Select server: Choose the desired server on which you want to install the Desktop Experience feature and click "Next."
6. Features: Scroll down and expand "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" category. Check the box next to "Desktop Experience" and click "Next."
7. Confirmation: Review the selected features and click "Install."
8. Installation progress: Wait for the installation to complete. You can monitor the progress in the progress bar.
9. Completion: Once the installation is finished, you will see the "Installation succeeded" message. Click "Close" to exit the wizard.
10. Restart the server: After adding the desktop experience, it is recommended to restart the server for the changes to take effect. You can either restart immediately or manually restart later.
Following these steps will add the desktop experience to your Windows Server, allowing you to have a more familiar desktop-like user interface. This can be particularly useful if you intend to use the server for tasks that require a graphical interface.
Note: Adding the desktop experience may increase the resource usage of the server, so make sure your server meets the hardware requirements to handle the additional load.
Can you install Windows Server Core and then upgrade to desktop experience?
Yes, it is possible to install Windows Server Core and then upgrade to the desktop experience. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Begin by installing the Windows Server Core edition on your system. This version of Windows Server has a minimal graphical interface and is optimized for server-related tasks.
2. Once the installation is complete, you can choose to upgrade to the Windows Server with Desktop Experience edition if you require a more traditional desktop environment similar to the client versions of Windows.
3. To initiate the upgrade process, you need to access the Server Manager. You can do this by typing "sconfig" at the command prompt and pressing Enter.
4. In the Server Manager, navigate to the "Add roles and features" section.
5. A wizard will open, guiding you through the upgrade process. Click on "Next" to proceed.
6. Select "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next."
7. Choose the local server from the server pool and click "Next" again.
8. Scroll down and locate the "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" section. Expand it and tick the box next to "Server Graphical Shell." This option will install the desktop experience.
9. A pop-up window will appear, asking to install additional features required by the server graphical shell. Click "Add Features" to proceed.
10. Hit "Next" until you reach the "Confirmation" page.
11. Review your selections, confirm the upgrade, and click "Install" to initiate the process.
12. The system will now install the desktop experience components. This may take a while, so be patient.
13. Once the installation is complete, you will receive a notification. Restart your system to apply the changes.
After the reboot, your Windows Server Core will be upgraded to the Windows Server with Desktop Experience edition. You will now have a desktop environment similar to Windows client versions, along with the additional features and capabilities of Windows Server.
Does Windows Server 2019 have desktop experience?
Yes, Windows Server 2019 does have a desktop experience option. The desktop experience feature provides a Windows interface, similar to the desktop version of Windows, allowing users to interact with the server using a graphical user interface (GUI). This can be particularly useful for users who are more accustomed to working with a traditional desktop environment and prefer a visual interface over command-line interactions.
Here are the steps to install the desktop experience feature in Windows Server 2019:
1. Log in to your Windows Server 2019 machine with administrative privileges.
2. Open the Server Manager application.
3. On the Dashboard page, click on "Add roles and features."
4. The "Add Roles and Features Wizard" will appear. Click "Next" to proceed.
5. Choose the installation type as "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click "Next."
6. Select your server’s target server from the server pool and click "Next."
7. In the "Server Roles" section, leave the default settings and click "Next."
8. On the "Features" page, check the box next to "Desktop Experience" and click "Next."
9. Review the information on the "Confirmation" page, then click "Install" to begin the installation process.
10. Once the installation is completed, you can access the desktop experience on your Windows Server 2019 machine.
Enabling the desktop experience feature can provide a familiar interface for tasks such as managing files, installing applications, and configuring server settings without relying solely on command-line interactions. However, it’s important to note that enabling the desktop experience may consume additional system resources compared to running Windows Server without it. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully evaluate your server’s specifications and requirements before deciding to install the desktop experience feature.
Which version of Windows Server 2019 has GUI?
Windows Server 2019 provides multiple editions, each with different features and capabilities. When it comes to graphical user interface (GUI), there are two editions to consider: Windows Server 2019 with Desktop Experience and Windows Server 2019 without Desktop Experience (also known as Windows Server Core).
1. Windows Server 2019 with Desktop Experience: This edition includes the standard GUI that most users are familiar with. It offers a full Windows desktop environment with features like a Start menu, Taskbar, and Windows Explorer. The Desktop Experience edition is suitable for organizations that prefer a traditional server environment and require a graphical interface for managing and configuring the server.
2. Windows Server 2019 without Desktop Experience (Server Core): This edition provides a minimalistic installation option without the traditional Windows desktop environment. It does not include the standard GUI elements and is managed primarily through command-line tools, PowerShell, and remote management. Server Core is designed for efficiency, reduced resource usage, and improved security by minimizing the attack surface.
Determining which edition to choose depends on your specific requirements and preferences. Below are a few reasons why you might opt for each edition:
Reasons for Windows Server 2019 with Desktop Experience:
– Familiarity: If you have extensive experience managing Windows servers with a graphical interface, the Desktop Experience edition provides a familiar environment that reduces the learning curve.
– Administrative Tools: The Desktop Experience edition includes a wide array of administrative tools and wizards accessible through the graphical interface.
– Compatibility: Certain legacy applications and software may rely on a full GUI to function properly. If you have dependencies on such software, the Desktop Experience edition ensures compatibility.
Reasons for Windows Server 2019 without Desktop Experience (Server Core):
– Improved Performance: Server Core has a smaller footprint compared to the Desktop Experience edition, resulting in lower resource usage. This can lead to improved performance and reduced maintenance.
– Enhanced Security: Removing the GUI elements in Server Core reduces the attack surface of the server. Fewer components running on the server means fewer potential vulnerabilities.
– Automation and Scripting: Server Core is designed to be managed through command-line tools and PowerShell. It provides a streamlined environment for automation and scripting, making it ideal for environments that heavily use these approaches.
Ultimately, the choice between Windows Server 2019 editions with or without GUI depends on factors such as your level of expertise, specific server requirements, compatibility needs, and security considerations.
How do I change Windows Server 2019 to desktop experience?
To change Windows Server 2019 to the desktop experience, follow these steps:
1. Open the Server Manager:
– Click on the Start button.
– Type "Server Manager" in the search bar.
– Select the Server Manager from the search results.
2. In the Server Manager window, click on "Manage" from the top toolbar, and then click on "Remove Roles and Features" from the dropdown menu.
3. This will open the "Remove Roles and Features Wizard." Click "Next" to proceed.
4. In the "Server Selection" screen, the local server should be selected by default. If not, choose the appropriate server from the server pool. Click "Next" to continue.
5. In the "Features" screen, locate and expand the "User Interfaces and Infrastructure" option.
6. Select the "Desktop Experience" checkbox and click "Next."
7. The wizard may prompt you to install additional features that are required by the Desktop Experience. If prompted, click "Add Features" to install the required features and then click "Next" to proceed.
8. In the "Confirmation" screen, review the selected options. If everything looks correct, click "Install" to start the installation process.
9. Once the installation is complete, you will see the "Results" screen. Verify that the installation was successful, and then click "Close" to exit the wizard.
10. Finally, restart your Windows Server 2019 for the changes to take effect. After the restart, the server will boot into the desktop experience.
Please note that switching to the desktop experience may impact the performance and security of your server. Consider the specific requirements and use cases of your server environment before making the switch.