Complete Windows Server 2012 Practice Test 2025

To convert a full GUI installation of Windows Server 2012 R2 to Server Core, the essential feature that must be removed is the Server Graphical Shell. This feature is responsible for providing the graphical user interface, and by removing it, the server transitions to the Server Core mode, which operates without a GUI.

Server Core is a minimal installation option for Windows Server that reduces the system's resource requirements and surface area for attacks, making it a more secure and efficient choice for server roles that do not require a graphical interface.

The other choices do not directly relate to the conversion process. Active Directory Domain Services, for example, can be installed on either GUI or Server Core installations without affecting the ability to perform the conversion. Graphical Management Tools and Infrastructure and Web Server (IIS) can also coexist with or without a GUI, as they can run independently of the graphical interface. Therefore, removing the Server Graphical Shell is critical for achieving the alternative installation type of Server Core.