Install and configure Windows Server 2025

Here is the best hands on practices followed Step‑by‑step guide (with best practices) to install and configure Windows Server 2025. (Note: Some steps depend on your hardware, licensing model, and whether you want a GUI or Server Core setup.)

1. Preparation

A. Hardware & System Requirements

Make sure your server hardware meets or exceeds Microsoft’s minimum requirements (CPU, RAM, storage, network, etc.).
On many servers, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are now required or strongly recommended for Windows Server 2025.
Use UEFI boot mode rather than legacy BIOS, especially for GPT partitions.
Check for firmware/BIOS updates from your server vendor.
Ensure any necessary drivers are available (e.g. storage controllers, network adapters) for your hardware.

B. Licensing & ISO Download

Download the Windows Server 2025 ISO (evaluation or licensed version) from Microsoft’s Evaluation Center or your licensing portal.
Decide whether you want Server Core (no GUI) or Desktop Experience (full GUI).
If using a pay‑as‑you‑go (Azure Arc) license model, ensure you understand its prerequisites.

C. Create Bootable Installation Media

Use a USB drive (≥ 8 GB) or DVD to create bootable media.
You can use tools like diskpart (manually) or PowerShell scripts (copy ISO contents, make bootable) to prepare USB.
Or use third‑party tools like Rufus, ensuring UEFI + GPT compatibility.

2. Install Windows Server 2025

A. Booting from Media

Insert the USB or DVD.
Power on the server and press the key (F2, F10, F12, ESC, Del, etc.) to enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
Enable TPM, Secure Boot, UEFI mode.
Set the boot order so that the USB drive or DVD is first.
Save and exit—the system should reboot and start the Windows Server setup.

B. Setup Wizard Steps

Once the setup starts:

Language, Time & Keyboard: Choose the correct locale and keyboard layout.
Install Now
Product Key / Licensing: Enter your license key. If you’re using a pay-as-you-go model, choose that option (if supported).
Edition Selection: Choose your edition (Standard, Datacenter, Essentials) and whether with Desktop Experience or Core.
Accept license terms.
Installation Type: Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
Disk Selection: Select the target disk. You may format or partition as needed. (If using GPT/UEFI, ensure proper partitioning.)
The system will copy files, install features, and reboot several times.
After reboot, set the Administrator password.
Complete the setup (finalization, log in, first configuration).

After installation finishes, log in as the Administrator.

3. Post‑Installation Configuration

A. Updates & Hotfixes

Run Windows Update immediately to bring the server to latest patch level (especially important to resolve installation issues, e.g. language display glitches)
If your server supports hotpatching (with Azure Arc), consider enabling it (for applying certain updates without reboot)

B. Drivers & Firmware

In Device Manager, check for missing drivers and install them.
Update firmware, drivers, and BIOS as needed.

C. Rename & Networking Setup

Change the computer name to something meaningful.
Configure static IP or DHCP as per network design.
Set DNS, gateway, and other network settings.

D. Join Domain / Configure AD (if part of Active Directory)

If this server will be part of a domain, join it or promote as a domain controller (if that is its role).
Make sure DNS is properly configured.

E. Roles & Features Installation

Use Server Manager (GUI) or PowerShell to add roles and features:
Get‑WindowsFeature
Install‑WindowsFeature –Name <RoleName> –IncludeManagementTools
Examples: DHCP, DNS, AD DS, File Server, Hyper-V, Remote Desktop Services, etc.

F. Security Hardening

Configure Windows Firewall and inbound/outbound rules.
Enable Credential Guard and other security features (in 2025, Credential Guard is enabled by default on systems meeting requirements)
Configure auditing, logging, and monitor security events.
Apply a security baseline or GPOs as per your organization’s policy.

G. Backup & Recovery

Set up backup solutions (Windows Server Backup or third‑party).
Configure system state and bare-metal recovery.

H. Final Validation

Reboot and verify services, connectivity, roles.
Monitor logs for errors.
Confirm remote management (Remote Desktop, PowerShell remoting, etc.).

4. Tips, Gotchas, and Known Issues

There have been reports of installation errors (e.g. 0xD000A000 – 0x40031) in virtual environments when TPM is not available or not enabled.
Some roles like RDS may fail to install if the component store (DISM) is corrupted.
During installation, some localized text might display in English (a known issue) unless updated media or patches are applied.
You cannot convert between Core and Desktop Experience post-install (i.e. install GUI on Core or remove GUI) in Windows Server 2025.

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