Sander Stad has a couple of blog posts on working with Windows Server Core edition. First, what happens if you lose your command prompt?
In my enthusiasm I clicked the “X” on the top right corner. So this happened:
Mayhem! How do I get my command screen back? Reboot?! NO WAY!
After figuring that out, Sander also explains how to perform updates:
The Windows Server Core Edition is a really good option because there aren’t that many binaries as there would be in a full installation. Due to the smaller number of objects you more stability, simplified management, reduced maintenance and a reduced risk to get attacked.
So you have a Windows Server Core Edition installed but want to update the server manually. Maybe this is a virtual machine on your local PC that needs updating and you don’t have WSUS running.
About everything you previously managed using the GUI in Windows is now done with the sconfig. You can edit your server’s name, the domain, network settings, date/time, shutdown the server but also manage the updates.
Admittedly, most Core installations will probably be in environments with a lot of automation around them, but sometimes you’re just doing a one-off thing.