Unsolved Installing Roles and Features from DVD 2012 R2

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In going through 70-410 I removed all of the features from my Windows Server 2012 r2. I need to install Print and Document services along with the management tools and when I go through the Add Roles and Features wizard it cannot find the source. I click on the "Specify and alternate source path" link on the last page and point it to my d:: drive where I have the install dvd mounted. It fails with the message that the source files could not be found. Any ideas?

@todd-guidi said in Installing Roles and Features from DVD 2012 R2:

instead of just D: , you may have to be more specific try D:\sources\sxs Let us know if this doesn't workout for you.

@Todd-Guidi ,

If the server has an internet connection, it should be able to pull the source files from Windows Updates.

To use the DVD, the problem might be that there are multiple images (standard, core, etc) on the DVD media. You will need to specify the index number of the image in the command.

With the DVD inserted, run this command, with <drive> representing your drive letter:

Dism /get-wiminfo /wimfile:<drive>:\sources\install.wim

The output should be similar to this:

          Index : 1 
          Name : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARDCORE 
          Description : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARDCORE 
          Size : 6,653,342,051 bytes 
          Index : 2 
          Name : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARD 
          Description : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARD 
          Size : 11,807,528,410 bytes 
          Index : 3 
          Name : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERDATACENTERCORE 
          Description : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERDATACENTERCORE 
          Size : 6,653,031,430 bytes 
          Index : 4 
          Name : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERDATACENTER 
          Description : Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERDATACENTER 
          Size : 11,809,495,151 bytes 

Then, using PowerShell, run this command:

Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-Infra,Server-Gui-Shell –Source wim:<drive>:\sources\install.wim:<index> 

Replace <drive> with your DVD drive letter, and <index> with the appropriate index number based on the previous command. Also change the feature you want to install. "Print-Services" sounds like what you want. Try:

Get-WindowsFeature *print*

to verify the name of the feature you want to install. So if the drive letter of the DVD is F:, and the index number is 2, the command would be:

Install-WindowsFeature Print-Services –Source wim:f:\sources\install.wim:2

Let me know if this helps.

@mike-rodrick

That was the solution. Mike, how would I reinstall all of the features and roles that were removed so I do not have to use the DVD any longer?

@Todd-Guidi

I believe you can copy the contents of sources\sxs directory from the DVD to
the C:\Windows\WinSxS directory. But honestly, I've never tried, lol. I'd copy the files and try to install a simple feature like Windows Backup, and see if Windows asks for the disk.

Did you remove the source files to reduce the image size or just as a proof of concept?

You can also create a network share and host the SxS files there. Then from any server, you can point to the share when installing a role/feature. This way you can install a role/feature without the DVD and still have a smaller install footprint. The downside of this method is the source files don't get updated/patched.

@Todd-Guidi

You might also try copying the c:\Windows\WinSxS directory from another 2012 server. You might have to change permissions temporarily as well, WinSxS is a protected location.

@mike-rodrick

I removed the source files while watching the 70-410 video. I only have one 2012 server at the moment. Should I go after the 2012 MCSA or just move on to the 2016? The 2016 appears to be much more involved. I really enjoy the videos and love the actual demo's!

I would make sure your hardware supports 2016 before moving to it. 2012 R2 works great with second generation hardware. On HP Gen7 and Gen8, 2012 R2, Gen9 and Gen10, 2016. You also need to check all your hardware and software. A lot does not work well on 2016.

@Todd-Guidi

That's a tough one. 2012 is getting long in the tooth, but if you are supporting on-prem or hybrid solutions, you will still see a lot of it.

IMHO, it's worth getting your 2012 certs for a couple of reasons. One, t's still widely used. Two, most of what you learn while studying will apply to 2016 as well. While there are considerable changes between 2012 and 2016, AD is still AD, DNS is still DNS, etc. Plus having extra acronyms on your resume is always good!