Windows Server 2012 (including R2) loses GUI after a role or feature install

I was asked today by a colleague about an issue he was experiencing with Server 2012 R2 where he would install the IIS role and associated features and then lose the GUI upon reboot, becoming a Server Core install.

The thing that he didn't mention was that he was removing .NET 4.5 as a feature each time. Under 2012 and R2, if you remove the .NET feature, it removes any dependent roles or features, such roles include Hyper V and the GUI. 

Simply adding the roles and keeping .NET ticked allows you to install the role AND keep the GUI.

But I already did that and googled for help...

If this happens, you need to reinstall the GUI from Powershell. The commands for doing this are:

1. Install .NET and Powershell from command line

DISM.exe /Online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx4 /all

DISM.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:MicrosoftWindowsPowerShell /all

2. Reboot then run the following Powershell commands....

Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Shell

Install-WindowsFeature Server-Gui-Mgmt-InfraRestart-Computer