Before you begin
You will need:
A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity
Rufus
A Windows Server 2022 ISO file
Warning: Creating bootable media erases the selected USB drive. Installing Windows can also erase the selected disk or partition. Back up any important data first and verify each selected drive carefully.
Download the Windows Server 2022 ISO
Step 1: Download the evaluation ISO
Go to the Microsoft Evaluation Center, register if prompted, and download the 64-bit Windows Server 2022 ISO.
Note: The evaluation expires after 180 days. It must activate over the internet within the first 10 days to prevent automatic shutdown.
Step 2: Choose the edition and installation option
The evaluation ISO lets you choose Standard or Datacenter during setup. For this guide, select a Datacenter option:
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience): Includes the graphical user interface and is easier for new administrators.
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Server Core): Has no local desktop GUI and is managed with PowerShell, SConfig, or remote tools.
Choose carefully: changing between Server Core and Desktop Experience later requires a clean installation.
Create a bootable USB drive with Rufus
Step 1: Connect the USB drive
Connect the USB drive and copy off anything you need to keep.
Step 2: Create the installation media
Open Rufus.
Select the correct USB device.
Select the Windows Server 2022 ISO file.
Keep the settings suggested by Rufus. On most modern systems, these are GPT and UEFI.
Select Start and wait for the process to finish.
Install Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
Step 1: Start Windows Setup
Start the server from the USB drive using its UEFI or boot menu.
Select the language, time format, and keyboard layout.
Select Install now.
Step 2: Select the Datacenter installation option
Select either Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience) or Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Server Core), based on your environment.
Step 3: Select the installation disk
Select Custom: Install Windows only.
Select the target disk or partition. Create a partition if necessary.
Continue the installation and allow the server to restart.
After the first startup, set a strong password for the local Administrator account.
Complete the basic post-installation configuration
Step 1: Install updates
Run Windows Update immediately.
Install the latest servicing and cumulative updates after installation.
Step 2: Give the server a clear identity
Rename the server with a descriptive name, such as SRV-DC01 or HV-HOST01.
Set the correct time zone and confirm that the clock is accurate.
Configure a static IP address, especially before installing AD DS or DNS.
PowerShell example for a static IP address:
Get-NetAdapter New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress 192.168.10.10 -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway 192.168.10.1 Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -ServerAddresses 192.168.10.10
Replace the interface name, IP address, prefix length, gateway, and DNS server address with values for your network.
Step 3: Configure remote administration (optional)
Enable Remote Desktop if your organization's policy allows it.
Confirm that the firewall rules are correct and that the administration PC is on the same network or connected through a VPN.
Install server roles and features
Step 1: Add the required roles
Open Server Manager.
Select Add roles and features.
Select the server.
Select the roles required for your environment.
Common roles include:
AD DS (Active Directory Domain Services): Manages a domain, users, and groups.
DNS Server: Provides name resolution and is commonly installed with AD DS.
Hyper-V: Provides virtualization.
Configure AD DS and DNS for a new domain
Important: Complete this section only if the server is intended to be a domain controller.
Step 1: Install AD DS
In Server Manager, install Active Directory Domain Services and, when appropriate, DNS Server.
Step 2: Promote the server
After the role installation finishes, select the notification in Server Manager and then select Promote this server to a domain controller.
Select Add a new forest.
Enter the root domain name. For example, use firma.local in a lab, or preferably use an internal subdomain of a real domain your organization owns.
Complete the wizard. The server restarts automatically.
Step 3: Use PowerShell instead (optional)
Install-WindowsFeature AD-Domain-Services -IncludeManagementTools Install-ADDSForest -DomainName "firma.local" -InstallDNS
The forest-creation command prompts you for a Directory Services Restore Mode password and restarts the server when configuration is complete.
Configure Hyper-V for virtualization
Complete this section only if the Datacenter server will be used as a virtualization host.
Step 1: Install Hyper-V
In Server Manager, select Add roles and features, and then select Hyper-V. Alternatively, run:
Install-WindowsFeature Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools -Restart
Step 2: Create an external virtual switch
Get-NetAdapter New-VMSwitch -Name "vSwitch-External" -NetAdapterName "Ethernet" -AllowManagementOS $true
Replace “Ethernet” with the name of the physical network adapter that should carry virtual-machine traffic.
Manage the server with Windows Admin Center
Windows Admin Center is a browser-based tool for managing servers, clusters, and PCs. It can be installed on an administration PC or on a server.
For a small environment:
Install Windows Admin Center on a dedicated management PC.
Add the server or servers, and manage roles, certificates, updates, and event logs from one place.
Troubleshooting and technical support
If you need technical support, use the website or Live Chat, or email [email protected]. Email is recommended for the fastest response. Include a screenshot of any error code you see during installation or activation.