Tutorial: Install Windows Server 2016 on Virtual Machine
To install Windows Server 2016 on a virtual machine using VMware workstation, follow these steps. First, prepare your VMware workstation by ensuring it's running the latest version and has sufficient resources allocated. Next, create a new virtual machine by selecting "Create a New Virtual Machine" in VMware, and choose Windows Server 2016 as the guest operating system. Configure the virtual machine settings, such as CPU, memory, and network, according to your needs.
Please backup or move any important business or personal files from your VMware machine to an external storage device before proceeding.
To prepare VMware and install Windows Server 2016 on your virtual machine, follow these steps. This will make the process easy and straightforward.
Part 1. Create and customize the virtual machine
- Open VMware > Click Create a New Virtual Machine;
If you don't have VMware installed on your computer, you may need to download and install it on your PC first.
- Select Custom (Advanced) to specify VMware settings and click Next.
- Leave Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility settings by default. Click Next.
- Add an installer image to the virtual machine by selecting Installer disk image file (ISO), then click Browse to select the Windows Server 2016 ISO file and click Next.
- Select Windows Server 2016 version from the Microsoft windows > Next;
- Create a virtual machine by entering a name and selecting a storage location for the installation files. Click "Next" to proceed.
- Choose how many processors your server should use on Processor Configuration, then click Next. Next, specify the amount of memory for the VMware in megabytes (MB) and click Next.
- Select "Use Network Address Translation (NAT)" or "Use bridged networking" to connect and use the internet, as a network type. > Next;
- Select I/O Controller Types as default > Next;
- To create a new virtual disk for the virtual machine, select the disk type as SCSI, then click "Next" and choose to create a new virtual disk.
- Specify the disk amount and click Next. Check the settings that you've customized and click Finish.
Now that you've completed the process of creating and customizing a new virtual machine on your PC, you can proceed to prepare and install Windows Server 2016 on your VMware workstation.
Part 2. Extend VM system partition for installing Windows Server 2016
To ensure a smooth installation of Server with Desktop Experience on a VM machine, it's recommended to have at least 32GB of RAM and 2GB of space available. Additionally, it's crucial to leave sufficient space in the system partition and system reserved partition on your VMware Workstation. If needed, you can use Qiling Partition Master Server, a professional Windows Server partition manager software, to extend these partitions in just 3 simple steps.
Qiling Partition Master Enterprise
Your trustworthy Windows Server disk manager.
- Extend System drive, combine/split partitions.
- Clone disk, migrate OS to HDD/SSD.
- Convert MBR to GPT, GPT to MBR, no data loss.
- 1-click adjust disk layout, create volumes at one time.
Step 1. Locate the Target Partition.
To extend a partition, first locate the target partition and select "Resize/Move".
Step 2. Extend the Target Partition.
Add unallocated space to the current partition by dragging the partition panel left or right and clicking "Proceed" to confirm.
Extra Option: Get Space from Another Drive
If there's not enough unallocated space on your disk, click on a big partition with enough free space, select "Resize/Move".
Drag the big partition panel rightward or leftward to shrink it for unallocated space and click "Proceed" to confirm.
You can use Qiling Partition Master to extend the VM system partition or adjust the disk layout of your VM or Windows Server disk with simple clicks, allowing for more flexibility and control over your disk configuration.
Part 3. Install Windows Server 2016 on a virtual machine
To install Windows Server 2016 on your virtual machine, follow these steps: create a new virtual machine with a suitable configuration, such as 4 GB of RAM and 50 GB of disk space; download the Windows Server 2016 ISO file; attach the ISO file to the virtual machine; start the virtual machine and follow the installation wizard to select the language, time zone, and other settings; select the installation type, such as Server Core or Server with Desktop Experience; and finally, configure the network settings and complete the installation.
1. You can power on the virtual machine by opening VMware Workstation, selecting the virtual machine, and clicking on the "Power on this virtual machine" option.
2. When the virtual machine powers on, specify the language, time zone, and keyboard settings. Click Next to proceed.
3. To install Windows Server 2016 on a virtual machine, select the appropriate operating system and click "Next" after choosing the desired Windows Server edition.
4.Tab I accept the license terms > Next > Click Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) for installing the server custom;
5. Select the disk to install Windows Server on, then click "New", specify the desired amount in megabytes, and click "Apply" before proceeding to the next step.
6. The server will copy all files, mount the Windows image, install features and updates, and then reboot, taking some time to complete.
7. After reboot, set a complex password with uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers, then click on Finish.
8. After completing the customization process, click on the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" button to sign in to Windows Server.
Now that you have completed the installation of Windows Server 2016 on your VMware workstation, you can start using and managing it.
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