Windows Server

Interesting notes about Windows Server 2003-2012

.NET 3.5 on Windows 10

MJandAR Windows PowerShell, Windows Server ,

I can’t tell how many times I have been burned when trying to simply enable .NET Framework 3.5.1 (and all the sub-goodies that so many programs need).  Lately, my struggle has been with Windows 10 or Server 2012 (& R2). I’ve found that installation files are usually not on an image I’m working with and there-in lies the problem. The next piece that throws me off is the lack of CD or DVD resources. Simply downloading .net only gives you the installer file, which does not work.

so first, get the files needed (\sources\sxs\microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab)

Copy those files to a USB thumb drive (or capture an image)

Then from an elevated command prompt, run:

Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

replacing D: with the appropriate drive letter, of course

Server 2012 -From Core to GUI

MJandAR Windows Server

OK, so I’ll admit.. I found this one out by accident. While working on a Windows 2012 Server, the GUI features were removed and brought it back to a Core installation. As much as I like using command line (and PS), it threw me off!

So, to Bring back  the nice-n-pretty Graphical User Interface for Server 2012, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) was needed! -Keep in mind, all I had was the Command Prompt (NO PowerShell).

From the Command line:

  • Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Server-Gui-Mgmt /all
  • Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Server-Gui-Shell /all
  • Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:ServerCore-FullServer /all
  • Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Server-Gui-Shell /featurename:ServerCore-FullServer /all
  • Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Server-Gui-Mgmt /featurename:Server-Gui-Shell /featurename:ServerCore-FullServer /all

Reboot and “Viola! It’s back!”