Windows Server 2016 stands out as a robust and widely used operating system for managing both large and small networks. Understanding how to install and configure Windows Server is crucial for network administrators aiming for efficient and optimal network management. This guide will walk you through the installation process using the Windows Server 2016 ISO, highlighting key aspects such as the differences between Windows Server 2016 vs 2019, and the features of Windows Server 2016 Datacenter. Additionally, we’ll cover essential support options to ensure your setup runs smoothly. Whether you’re upgrading from an earlier version or setting up a fresh installation, this article will help you navigate the process seamlessly.
Prerequisite to Install Windows Server 2016
To install Windows Server on a server or PC, you must consider the minimum hardware requirements, which include the following:
- Purchasing a Dedicated server if Windows Server 2016 is installed on the server
- 512 MB of RAM
- 32 GB hard drive
- 1.4GHz 64-bit processor
- Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet network card
A Quick Guide
To install Windows Server 2016, start by preparing your server through the Voxfor management interface. Select “ISO Images,” load the “Windows Server 2016 English” ISO, and reboot the virtual machine. Next, boot from the installation media, set your language preferences, and click “Install Now.” Choose the appropriate version (Standard or Datacenter) and installation type (Desktop Experience for a GUI).
Accept the license terms, select “Custom: Install Windows only,” and partition the disk as needed. Load any required drivers, select the drive for installation, and complete the installation process. After installation, set up the administrator password, log in, adjust Enhanced Security settings, update Ethernet drivers, and enable Remote Desktop. Finally, connect remotely to your server and check for updates. Your Windows Server 2016 is now ready for use.
Windows Server 2016 Installation Steps
1. Prepare Your Server:
Access the Voxfor management interface and select and click on your services from the list Under Services.
In services click on Voxfor as you can see in the below image:
2. Service Management:
Locate the “Service Management” section on your dashboard.
Click on the “ISO Images” option, which is represented by an icon with a disc and the text “ISO Images”.
3. ISO Images:
Windows Server 2016 for installation: In the search box, type the text “Windows” and press Enter.
From the list of available ISO Images, locate “Windows Server 2016 English”.
To load the ISO image, click on the refresh icon button next to “Windows Server 2016 English”.
Click on the “Confirm” in the below image:
4. Reboot To Load ISO:
Return to the main service management page.
In the “Service Actions” section, click on the “Reboot” option to load the ISO image.
A confirmation box will appear asking, “Are you sure that you want to reboot this virtual machine?” Click “Yes” to proceed.
5. Service Management Console:
After your system will reboot click on the console as you can see in the below image.
6. Windows Server 2016 Boot Menu:
1) Boot into the installation media
If you have booted off the installation media, you have see the screen below
Choose your Language, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method and hit Next.
2) Click Install NowTo proceed with configuring the Server Core installation, click Install Now.
3) Choose the version
Choose the version that fits your license and your needs then click Enter
Please Note:
Choosing Windows Server 2016 Standard or Windows Server 2016 Datacenter will install without a desktop experience. This was previously known as Server Core. If you would like the GUI, make sure to choose one of the options with (Desktop Experience).
4) Accept the license terms
Click the I accept the license terms checkbox and click Next
5) Choose your installation type
We are assuming Windows Server is not installed on this machine
Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
7. Navigate To ISO Images:
Go to the services again and click on the ISO Images as you can see in the image below.
In the search box, type “virtio” and press Enter. From the list of available ISO images, locate “virtio-win-0.1.248.iso”. To load the ISO image, click on the refresh icon button next to “virtio-win-0.1.248.iso.” We are doing this because we need to install the driver during the installation.
After mounting the virtio, you will get a confirmation dialogue box, you just click on confirm button to proceed.
8. Load Driver:
Click on the load drive as you can see in the below image.
You have to select Browse from the load driver menu as you can see the image below:
Expand the CD Drive from the browse folder as demonstrated in the image below.
In the drop down menu of CD Drive (D:) virtio-win-0.1.240 you have to click on amd64.
In the dropdown menu of amd64, you have to find and click on 2k16 and press Next.
After this you will get the below image and you have to click on next.
9. Available ISO Images:
After completing this step you need to go once again in Services and in the search box, type the “Windows” and press Enter.
From the list of available ISO images, locate “Windows Server 2016 English”
To load the ISO image, click on the refresh icon button next to “Windows Server 2016 English.”
You will then receive a confirmation dialogue box, and you just need to click on the confirm button as shown in the image below.
10. Release Some Storage:
Select the Disk for installing Windows Server 2016 Standard (Desktop Experience). First you have to release some space by selecting and clicking on Delete as shown in the image.
After this you can get a confirmation box and you have to click OK.
Same step you will do for Drive 0 Partition 1.
After this you can get a confirmation box and you have to click OK.
11. Allocate Space:
Now you have to select Drive 0 Unallocated Space and click on New.
Now, create a new partition for the installation of Windows Server 2016. Select the desired size, click on “Apply”.
After this, a confirmation box will appear. You will need to click “OK”.
6) Choose the drive
Select the drive you would like to install to and click Next.
12. Installation Process:
Starting the Windows Server 2016 Core Installation now. The installation will only take a few minutes, so if you’re feeling drowsy, it’s a great time to grab a cup of coffee.
The process is quick and should be completed within 5-10 minutes. This will finalize the installation of Windows Server 2016 Standard with the Desktop Experience.
13. Reboot Computer:
You can click “Restart Now,” but if you don’t, the system will automatically reboot in 10 seconds.
14. Administrator Password:
Enter the password you would like to use for the administrator account then click Finish or hit Enter.
15. Windows Login Screen:
You are now at the login screen.
You can now log in with the administrator credentials you created earlier.
Feel free to use the links at the top of the page to configure the server.
16. Server Manager:
The Control Panel is available in the same way as it is on conventional Windows operating systems, so you can start customizing your server from here or explore more possibilities there. After this you have to select a local server.
17. Enhanced Security Manager:
In the server manager find If Enhanced Security Manager and click at ON as you can see in the below image.
After selecting on you have a new menu and click on OFF at Administrators and Users.
18. Navigate To User Panel:
After this you have to go to the dashboard of voxfor and click on ISO Images.
In the search bar type “virtio” and press enter then you can see the image below where you can select the option (virtio-win-0.1.248.iso) as you can see in the image.
After this you will get a confirmation dialogue box and you just need to click on the confirm button as you can see in the below image.
19. Device Manager:
To access the Device Manager, please follow these steps:
- Go to the search bar on your taskbar.
- Type “device” in the search field.
- Select “Device Manager” from the search results, as illustrated in the accompanying image.
20. Ethernet Driver Update:
After opening the Device Manager, follow these steps:
- Locate and right-click on “Ethernet Controller.”
- Select “Update Drivers” from the context menu.
Next, click on “Browse”.
Then, you will see a new menu. Click on “CD Drive(D): virtio-win-0.1.248,” as shown in the image.
Next, click on “NetKVM,” as shown in the image.
After this, select “2k16” from the options shown in the image below.
Select the directory “amd64” and click on “OK”.
After completing all these steps, simply click on “Next”.
Now, your Ethernet drivers have been installed. Click on “No,” as shown in the image below.
Windows has successfully updated your drivers. Simply click on “Close”.
21. Command Prompt:
Search for the cmd in the search bar of your window and click on Command Prompt as you can see in the image below:
To verify your Ethernet drivers, you can perform a ping test from the Command Prompt. Type ping 8.8.8.8. If your drivers are working correctly, you will see successful ping responses.
22. Server Manager:
Search and click on the Remote Desktop Disabled in the menu of Server Manager.
23. Allow Remote Connections:
After this you will see the system properties menu in which you have to select Allow remote connections to the computer, then click on apply and click next.
Click on the “OK” as you can see in the image below:
After this you have to click on Apply.
24. Remote Desktop Connection:
Now, go to the search box and type “remote.” Click on “Remote Desktop Connection,” as shown in the image.
The below menu will be open when you click on the remote desktop connection.
25. Navigate To Voxfor Dashboard:
Once again, navigate to the services section of Voxfor.
Copy the IP Address. In this case, the IP Address is 5.161.235.159, as shown in the image below.
26. Remote Desktop Connection IP:
Paste the IP Address that you copied from the Voxfor dashboard into the provided field, and then click on “Connect,” as shown in the image.
27. Administrator Credentials:
You will now see a pop-up where you need to enter your credentials. In the username field, type “Administrator.” Then, enter the password you set during the installation. Select the option Remember me and click “OK”.
After this, you will receive a pop-up message from Remote Desktop Connection. Check the box that says “Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer,” and then click on “Yes.”
Now, you will see that your Remote Desktop Connection is connecting to the server.
28. Operating System Connected:
After the connection is established, you will have successfully entered your operating system.
29. Check For Update:
Now, search for “updates” in the search box and click on “Check for updates.”
Click on the “Check for Updates” as you can see in the below image:
After this you will get a screen where you find the update status.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have an installation of Windows 2016 Server up and running. Rocky Linux is a powerful and stable distribution, perfect for servers and workstations alike. Ready for more? Choose Voxfor for your server needs and enjoy the simplicity of a ready-to-use server with Rocky Linux installed, available in just two minutes. Visit Voxfor to get started today! Thank you for following this guide. For more tips and tutorials, stay tuned to our website. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.
For further installation guides, visit the Voxfor website where you can find information on windows 2019 server and windows server 2022.
