How to install a graphical desktop environment on Hyper-V Server 2019

HyperVServer2019_GUI_Installation.md

Introduction

Hyper-V Server does not include much in the way of graphical tools, but third-party alternatives can be installed.

I found a disturbing lack of basic instructions for using Hyper-V server, so it is my hope that this guide is useful to somebody.

Step 1) Install Chrome

In the command prompt on the Hyper-V server, run this command:

Powershell

This loads Powershell which gives us many additional capabilities, including the ability to download files.

Find a current Chrome setup URL by downloading it in the web browser on a "normal" computer, and looking in your browser's download history. Then, run this command, replacing YOUR_CHROME_SETUP_URL with the URL you found.

(New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadFile("YOUR_CHROME_SETUP_URL", "ChromeSetup.exe")

Now exit Powershell

exit

Run ChromeSetup.exe

ChromeSetup.exe

Complete the installation using the setup GUI.

Run Chrome

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"

Step 2) Install the 3rd-party desktop environment, Cairo

In Chrome, open https://cairoshell.com/, and download the latest 64 bit Cairo installer from GitHub. When the download completes, use Chrome to launch the Cairo setup executable. I don't know if it matters, but in Cairo setup, I checked the box to Replace Explorer.

Proceed through Cairo's welcome tour.

Re-launching Cairo

If you ever find that the Cairo shell isn't running when you log in, you can launch it with the command:

"C:\Program Files\Cairo Shell\CairoDesktop.exe"

Step 3) Install 7-Zip

In Chrome, open https://www.7-zip.org, then download and install 7-Zip 64-bit. I used the .exe installer.

Back in Cairo, click your Programs menu, and choose App Grabber. Add 7-Zip to your programs menu.

Run 7-Zip from the Programs menu, and in 7-Zip's options, click the plus button to associate 7-Zip with all supported file types.

Close 7-Zip.

Step 4) Install the 3rd-party file explorer, Explorer++

In Chrome, open https://explorerplusplus.com/

Download the 64 bit version.

In 7-Zip, extract Explorer++.exe to C:\Explorer++\Explorer++.exe.

In Cairo Settings (Menu button in upper-left corner), Advanced, set the File manager path to C:\Explorer++\Explorer++.exe.

Add Explorer++ to Cairo's Programs menu, similar to how you added 7-Zip earlier. You'll notice that Explorer++ does not appear as an installed application in App Grabber. Instead, you must click the Browse… button to locate Explorer++ where you extracted it.

Step 5) Install Windows Admin Center

In Chrome, open https://aka.ms/windowsadmincenter

Great guide, very helpful. Thanks!!

superb. thank you very much.

I've used this guide in the past, I'd suggest you take a look at this, there are instructions there to get Classic Shell working in both Hyper-V and Server core. While Cairo is nice, this is a much more familiar interface.

Thank you very much for this easy-to-use guide, it was really an enormous help!

Just a small FYI for anyone interested: the license terms for the free MS Hyper-V server 2019 do not prohibit installing software as described in this guide. It is hence perfectly legal to use this guide to create a fully compatible "windows pro" clone without the steep licensing costs. If you decide to sell computers with this setup, make sure not to charge license costs, because MS will most definitely come after you...

Good guide btw! worked nicely in a vm, will look further into things. Anyone happen to test how well this works for gaming by any chance?

That is very interesting. I think there are a lot of major obstacles to getting Hyper-V server to be as functional as regular Windows. But it would be a fun project especially for a tech youtube channel.

I read that MS will probably not issue a hyper-v server 2022, as they are prioritizing other virtualization options. Luckily 2019 will remain supported throughout its entire lifecycle. Hopefully they'll realise that they're making a mistake in removing the free hypervisor from their assortment...

I found that chocolatey makes it much easier, you can just install it with powershell and then install the rest from powershell too

I tried installing a bunch of stuff, some stuff like vivaldi works, start menus and other media stuff like video players, do not at the moment. Though it would be cool if people could fix those issues, then we can use it as a daily driver.

That is very interesting. I think there are a lot of major obstacles to getting Hyper-V server to be as functional as regular Windows. But it would be a fun project especially for a tech youtube channel.

True but, it would take less space then a standard install,and the server kernel is anyway optimized for speed so it would be faster.

For anyone finding this guide, you'll probably also want the App Compatability features added more recently. It works on Hyper-V Server 2019.

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name ServerCore.AppCompatibility~~~~0.0.1.0

You'll get things like Device Manager, Windows Explorer, Disk Manager, etc.

Has anyone found a way to get audio working?

Another article with a similar goal: https://medium.com/@RealNetwork/windows-server-core-2019-gui-management-sysinternals-utilities-datacenter-standard-hyper-v-dashboard-265801412c89

This also works on Azure HCI