Azure provides a great way to test windows server 2016 with pre built images.
Windows server 2016 standard evaluation desktop experience.
I ve installed windows.
Windows 10 1809 windows server server core is a strapped down version of windows server generally speaking it contains.
1 4 ghz 64 bit processor.
This iso evaluation is for the datacenter and standard editions.
Run it in azure.
2 gb 512 for core disk.
When you install windows server 2016 using the setup wizard you can choose between windows server 2016 and windows server server with desktop experience.
I have just installed windows server 2016 today for the first time and as its just for testing purposes never really paid much attention to the installation procedure.
I then found out that option 1 is core has no gui and option 2 has a gui.
If you do not make a choice in the setup wizard windows server 2016 is installed.
If you have installed microsoft windows server 2016 and are wondering where the gui now called desktop experience is then unfortunatly the only way to have the desktop is to re install the os.
For releases of windows server 2016 prior to 14393 0 161119 1705 rs1 refresh you can only perform this conversion from evaluation to retail with windows server 2016 that has been installed by using the desktop experience option not the server core option.
Windows server 2019 with desktop experience the classic look e g.
This is the server core installation option.
The server with desktop experience option is the windows server 2016 equivalent of the full installation option available in windows server 2012 r2 with the desktop experience feature installed.
Windows server 2016 edition evaluation desktop experience initially i thought oh i don t need any of the desktop experience stuff and chose option 1.
Choose an edition and an installation option.
32 gb as absolute minimum value 4 gb for core.
Customers who download the full iso will need to choose an edition and an installation option.
The server with desktop experience option is the windows server 2016 equivalent of the full installation option available in windows server 2012 r2 with the desktop experience feature installed.