How to Install Windows Server 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft’s latest server OS, Windows Server 2025, is packed with new features and performance improvements. Whether you're setting it up for a lab, a production environment, or just testing, this guide will walk you through the installation process—complete with screenshots and helpful tips.

🖥️ What You’ll Need:

• Windows Server 2025 ISO file (downloaded from Microsoft or Volume Licensing Service)

• A PC, virtual machine (VM), or server that meets hardware requirements

• Bootable USB or ISO mounted in your virtual machine

• Keyboard, monitor, and internet (for updates)

✅ Step 1: Prepare Boot Media

Option A: Bootable USB

• Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive from the Windows Server 2025 ISO.

Option B: Virtual Machine

• Mount the ISO file to your VM software (like Hyper-V, VMware, or VirtualBox).

⚙️ Step 2: Boot from Installation Media

Restart your machine and boot from the USB or ISO. On physical hardware, press the boot menu key (like F12 or ESC, depending on your motherboard).

📸 [Insert Image: Boot menu with USB selected]

You’ll see the Windows Server Setup screen. Choose your language, time, and keyboard settings, then click Next and Install Now.

🛠️ Step 3: Choose Edition and Installation Type

You’ll be prompted to choose the Windows Server 2025 edition:

• Standard or Datacenter

• With or without Desktop Experience (choose “with Desktop Experience” if you want a GUI)

📜 Step 4: Accept License Terms and Choose Install Type

• Accept the license agreement.

• Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) if you’re doing a fresh installation.

💾 Step 5: Select Drive for Installation

Pick the drive or partition where you want Windows Server installed. You can format or delete partitions as needed.

Click Next, and Windows will start installing.

⏳ Step 6: Wait for Installation to Complete

The system will copy files, install features, and restart a few times. This usually takes 10–30 minutes depending on your hardware.

🔐 Step 7: Set Administrator Password

Once installed, you’ll be prompted to set a password for the Administrator account.

Use a strong password and click Finish.

🎉 Step 8: First Login and Configuration

Log in using the Administrator password. You’ll land on the desktop or Server Manager (if using Desktop Experience).

From here, you can:

• Configure IP settings

• Join a domain

• Install roles and features via Server Manager

🧰 Optional: Post-Installation Tasks

• Install updates from Windows Update

• Enable Remote Desktop (under System Settings)

• Install necessary roles: DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, etc.

• Rename the server and set a static IP