Connecting to and managing a Nano Server

Nano Server is designed to be managed remotely without the use of remote desktop services or local console access. You can connect directly to your Nano Server or use other tools to carry out management functions.

Nano Server lacks a desktop experience and remote desktop capability. You use the Nano Server Recovery Console to do some basic network management and to view operating system information. You perform most configuration and management remotely.

Perhaps the simplest way to connect to and configure virtual machines (VMs) is for you to use PowerShell Direct, a new feature introduced in Windows Server 2016. PowerShell Direct enables PowerShell remoting to VMs via the hypervisor instead of using the network, without the need to access the recovery console or configure networking for the VM.