During an unattended rollout of Windows Server 2022 to fifteen new rack-mount hosts, you must choose the installation type to place in your answer file. The hosts will belong to an existing Active Directory domain and run only the Hyper-V and File Server roles. Administrators will handle all configuration through PowerShell and Windows Admin Center from their workstations. Security policy requires the smallest possible code base so that the servers receive the fewest updates and expose the lowest attack surface, yet they must remain fully supported for the chosen roles. Which Windows Server installation option should you specify?
Install Windows Server 2022 with Desktop Experience (full GUI).
Use Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2019 as the bare-metal hypervisor.
Deploy Nano Server as the operating system for each host.
Install Windows Server 2022 using the Server Core installation option.
Server Core provides the Windows Server kernel and most infrastructure roles (including Hyper-V and File Services) but omits the local GUI. That removes many binaries, so the OS needs less disk space, has a greatly reduced attack surface, and generates fewer patches to apply. Core installations are designed to be managed remotely with tools such as Windows Admin Center or PowerShell, which satisfies the administration requirement. A Desktop Experience install keeps the full GUI and therefore a larger footprint and larger update set. Nano Server is delivered only as a container base image in current releases and cannot host traditional roles such as File Server or be joined to a domain in the usual way. Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2019 is the last standalone Hyper-V SKU, does not support many additional roles, and has no 2022 version, so it fails both supportability and role requirements.
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Why is Server Core preferred over Desktop Experience for this scenario?
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What is the difference between Server Core and Nano Server?
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How does PowerShell and Windows Admin Center enable management of Server Core?