Installing Windows Server
With your server's firmware configured and the installation media mounted, you are ready to install the operating system. This chapter will guide you through the process of installing Windows Server using the virtual KVM and media features of the Management Interface (BMC).
Installation requirements
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
Windows Server ISO: You should have the installation ISO file for your chosen version of Windows Server. If you need an evaluation copy, you can download one from the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
Product Key: Have your product key ready. For evaluation purposes, Microsoft often provides keys on their preview build announcement pages.
Virtual Media Mounted: Ensure you have already mounted the Windows Server ISO file using the Virtual media feature in the BMC, as covered in Chapter 2.
Step-by-step installation guide
From the KVM console, you will see the server boot from the mounted ISO file. The Windows Server installer will now load.
Set Language, Time, and Keyboard Preferences
On the first screen of the installer:
Select your preferred language, time format, and keyboard layout
Click Next
📷 [Image: The Windows Server Setup screen for selecting language and time format]
📷 [Image: The Windows Server Setup screen for selecting keyboard settings]
Select Setup Option
On the Select setup option screen:
Ensure “Install Windows Server” is selected
Click Next
📷 [Image: The Windows Server Setup screen with the "Install Windows Server" option selected]
Enter Product Key
When prompted:
Enter your Windows Server product key
Click Next
📷 [Image: The Product key entry screen in the Windows Server installer]
Choose the Operating System Edition
Select the specific Windows Server image you want to install: Options typically include Standard or Datacenter editions.
📷 [Image: The "Select Image" screen showing "Windows Server 2025 Datacenter (Desktop Experience)" as an option]
Best Practice: Choose the Desktop Experience. For most general-purpose servers, especially if you're not an expert in command-line administration, choose the (Desktop Experience) version. This installs the full graphical user interface (GUI). The standard version (often called "Server Core") is a minimal installation managed only through the command line and is intended for specialized roles like Hyper-V hosts or DNS servers.
Accept License Terms
Read the Microsoft Software License Terms
Select I accept the license terms, then click Next
📷 [Image: The license terms screen in the Windows Server installer]
Choose Installation Location
When prompted to select a destination drive:
Choose the unallocated disk where the OS should be installed
Click Next
The installer will automatically partition the disk
📷 [Image: The "Select location to install Windows Server" screen showing Disk 0 Unallocated Space]
Confirm and Start Installation
On the final summary screen:
Click Install to begin the installation process
📷 [Image: The "Ready to install" summary screen]
Wait for Installation to Complete
The Windows Server installer will now:
Copy files, install features, and apply settings
This may take several minutes
The server will restart automatically upon completion
📷 [Image: The "Installing Windows Server" progress screen] 📷 [Image: The Windows boot screen shown after the initial installation phase]
Finalize the configuration
After the final reboot, you'll be prompted to set the administrator password.
Type and re-enter a strong password for the built-in Administrator account.
Click Finish. [Image, EXISTING: The "Customize settings" screen for setting the Administrator password.]
You have now successfully installed Windows Server. You can log in using the password you just created.
Post-installation checks
After logging in for the first time, it's a good practice to:
Verify Network Connectivity: Open PowerShell and use ping to test connections to your gateway and an external site like google.com.
Install Drivers: Check Device Manager for any hardware that requires specific drivers from the server manufacturer.
Run Windows Update: Install the latest security patches and updates to ensure your system is secure.
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