Describe Server Core vs Full installation options and give a scenario for using Server Core.

• A. Server Core is a minimal installation with no GUI, used for roles like DNS, DHCP, and file services to reduce footprint.
• B. Server Core includes the GUI and supports broader roles, such as application servers.
• C. Server Core is a recovery mode with limited services.
• D. Server Core requires a separate license for each role.

Answer: (B)

Server Core is a minimal Windows Server installation that runs without the graphical user interface. It’s designed to host a defined set of server roles with a much smaller footprint, which lowers the attack surface and reduces resource use and maintenance overhead. Because there’s no local GUI, you manage Server Core through remote tools and command-line interfaces (PowerShell, Server Manager, Windows Admin Center, etc.), not by clicking through a desktop.

A common scenario for using Server Core is on a server that’s dedicated to a specific role, such as a DNS/DHCP server or a Hyper-V host. In these cases, you gain reliability and efficiency from the reduced footprint while still delivering the needed services. If you later require a GUI or need broader, more interactive management for diverse roles, you’d opt for a Full installation, which includes the graphical interface and supports a wider range of tools and applications.