Unlocking the Desktop Experience- A Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Desktop Features in Windows Server 2019
How to Enable Desktop Experience in Server 2019
In the world of server management, it is often necessary to switch between server roles and desktop roles to fulfill various tasks. One common scenario is enabling the desktop experience in Server 2019, which allows the server to run desktop applications and provide a more user-friendly interface. This article will guide you through the process of enabling the desktop experience in Server 2019, ensuring a smooth transition for your server environment.
Understanding Desktop Experience
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand what the desktop experience entails. The desktop experience in Server 2019 includes a full graphical user interface (GUI) that resembles that of Windows 10. It allows you to install and run desktop applications, manage the server through a more intuitive interface, and access additional features that are not available in the Server Core installation.
Step 1: Open Server Manager
To begin the process, launch Server Manager on your Server 2019 machine. If you haven’t installed Server Manager yet, you can do so by running the following command in PowerShell:
“`powershell
Install-WindowsFeature ServerManager
“`
Once Server Manager is open, you’ll see a dashboard displaying various server roles and features.
Step 2: Add Desktop Experience Role
In the Server Manager, click on “Add roles and features” to start the Add Roles and Features Wizard. On the “Before you begin” page, click “Next.”
Step 3: Select Installation Type
On the “Select installation type” page, choose “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next.”
Step 4: Select Server
On the “Select destination server” page, select your Server 2019 machine and click “Next.”
Step 5: Select Roles
On the “Select server roles” page, scroll down and expand the “Remote Desktop Services” folder. Then, click on “Desktop Experience” and click “Next.”
Step 6: Confirm Selection
On the “Select features” page, review the features that will be installed with Desktop Experience. Click “Next” to proceed.
Step 7: Review and Install
On the “Review summary” page, review the details of the selected roles and features. If everything looks good, click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 8: Post-Installation Configuration
Once the installation is complete, you may need to configure some additional settings to ensure the desktop experience is fully functional. This may include setting up a user account with administrative privileges, configuring network settings, and installing any required desktop applications.
Conclusion
Enabling the desktop experience in Server 2019 is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your server’s usability and functionality. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to transform your Server 2019 machine into a versatile server that can handle both server and desktop tasks with ease.
