Windows Server 2019 is a powerful operating system designed for server environments. It offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it an excellent choice for businesses and organizations. One of the common tasks when working with Windows Server 2019 is installing or reinstalling the operating system on a server. While there are several methods available for installing Windows Server 2019, using a bootable USB drive is one of the most convenient and efficient options.
Creating a bootable USB drive allows you to easily install Windows Server 2019 on a new server or reinstall the operating system on an existing server. It eliminates the need for physical installation media, such as DVDs, and simplifies the installation process. In this blog post, we will explore the different methods to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 and provide step-by-step instructions for each method. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced IT professional, this guide will help you create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 with ease.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods of creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019, let’s discuss the prerequisites and the things you will need for the process:
1. Windows Server 2019 ISO file: You will need to download the Windows Server 2019 ISO file from the official Microsoft website or obtain it from a trusted source.
2. USB flash drive: You will need a USB flash drive with sufficient capacity to hold the Windows Server 2019 installation files. It is recommended to use a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage space.
3. A computer running Windows: You will need a computer running a Windows operating system to perform the necessary steps for creating a bootable USB drive. The computer should have administrative privileges.
4. Rufus utility: Rufus is a popular and reliable utility for creating bootable USB drives. You will need to download Rufus from the official website or obtain it from a trusted source.
What Requires Your Focus?
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 involves several steps and methods. Here are the key areas that you should focus on during the process:
1. Choosing the right method: There are multiple methods available for creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019. Each method has its advantages and requirements. It is important to understand the different methods and choose the one that best fits your situation and requirements.
2. Following the instructions carefully: Each method has its own set of instructions and steps. It is crucial to follow the instructions carefully and perform each step accurately to ensure success. Skipping or incorrectly executing a step can lead to errors or unsuccessful creation of the bootable USB drive.
3. Verifying the bootable USB drive: Once you have created the bootable USB drive, it is important to verify its functionality before using it for installation. You can do this by booting your server from the USB drive and ensuring that the Windows Server 2019 installation process starts without any issues. This step will help you avoid any potential installation problems.
Now that we understand the background and requirements, let’s explore the different methods to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Method 1. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Using Rufus
Rufus is a widely used utility for creating bootable USB drives. It is easy to use and offers a straightforward process for creating bootable media. Here’s how you can create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 using Rufus:
Step 1: Download Rufus
Visit the official Rufus website and download the latest version of the utility. Save the Rufus executable file to your computer.
Step 2: Insert the USB Flash Drive
Insert the USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer. Make sure there is no important data on the USB drive as the process of creating a bootable USB drive will erase all existing data.
Step 3: Run Rufus
Locate the Rufus executable file that you downloaded in Step 1 and run it. Rufus does not require installation and can be executed directly from the downloaded file.
Step 4: Select the USB Drive
In the Rufus utility, ensure that the correct USB drive is selected from the “Device” dropdown menu. If you have multiple USB drives connected to your computer, make sure to choose the correct one.
Step 5: Select the Windows Server 2019 ISO File
Click on the “Select” button next to the “Boot selection” field and browse to the location where you have saved the Windows Server 2019 ISO file. Once you have selected the ISO file, Rufus will automatically populate the remaining fields with the appropriate settings.
Step 6: Choose the Partition Scheme and File System
Under the “Partition scheme” section, select “MBR” if your server’s firmware uses the legacy BIOS mode. If your server uses the UEFI firmware mode, select “GPT”. Choose the “FAT32” file system as it is compatible with most computers and servers.
Step 7: Start the Creation Process
Click on the “Start” button to begin the process of creating the bootable USB drive. Rufus will display a warning message stating that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Double-check that you have selected the correct USB drive and click “OK” to proceed.
Step 8: Wait for the Process to Complete
Rufus will now format the USB drive and copy the Windows Server 2019 installation files onto it. The process may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your computer and USB drive. Do not remove the USB drive or interrupt the process until it is completed.
Step 9: Verify the Bootable USB Drive
Once the process is complete, Rufus will display a “READY” message. You can now close Rufus and safely eject the USB drive from your computer. To verify the bootable USB drive, insert it into the server where you want to install Windows Server 2019 and boot from the USB drive. If the installation process starts, it indicates that the USB drive has been successfully created.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Rufus is a reliable utility for creating bootable USB drives. | 1. Requires downloading and installing additional software. |
| 2. Offers a user-friendly interface with step-by-step instructions. | 2. May not be compatible with all USB flash drives. |
| 3. Allows customization of various settings, such as partition scheme and file system. | 3. Formatting the USB drive will erase all existing data. |
Now that we have covered one method, let’s explore another method to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Method 2. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Using Windows USB/DVD Tool
The Windows USB/DVD Tool is an official utility provided by Microsoft for creating bootable USB drives. It offers a simple and straightforward process for creating bootable media. Here’s how you can use the Windows USB/DVD Tool to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019:
Step 1: Download the Windows USB/DVD Tool
Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows USB/DVD Tool. Save the executable file to your computer.
Step 2: Insert the USB Flash Drive
Insert the USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer. Make sure to back up any important data on the USB drive as the process of creating a bootable USB drive will erase all existing data.
Step 3: Run the Windows USB/DVD Tool
Locate the executable file that you downloaded in Step 1 and run it. The Windows USB/DVD Tool does not require installation and can be executed directly from the downloaded file.
Step 4: Choose the Windows Server 2019 ISO File
In the Windows USB/DVD Tool, click on the “Browse” button and navigate to the location where you have saved the Windows Server 2019 ISO file. Select the ISO file and click “Open” to proceed.
Step 5: Select USB Device
Select the “USB device” option in the Windows USB/DVD Tool. Ensure that the correct USB drive is selected from the dropdown menu. If you have multiple USB drives connected to your computer, make sure to choose the correct one.
Step 6: Begin the Creation Process
Click on the “Begin copying” button to start creating the bootable USB drive. The Windows USB/DVD Tool will display a warning message stating that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Double-check that you have selected the correct USB drive and click “Erase USB Device” to proceed.
Step 7: Wait for the Process to Complete
The Windows USB/DVD Tool will now format the USB drive and copy the Windows Server 2019 installation files onto it. The process may take several minutes, depending on the speed of your computer and USB drive. Do not remove the USB drive or interrupt the process until it is completed.
Step 8: Verify the Bootable USB Drive
Once the process is complete, the Windows USB/DVD Tool will display a notification indicating that the bootable USB drive has been created successfully. You can now close the Windows USB/DVD Tool and safely eject the USB drive from your computer. To verify the bootable USB drive, insert it into the server where you want to install Windows Server 2019 and boot from the USB drive. If the installation process starts, it indicates that the USB drive has been successfully created.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Official utility provided by Microsoft for creating bootable USB drives. | 1. Requires downloading and installing additional software. |
| 2. Offers a simple and straightforward process with a user-friendly interface. | 2. May not be compatible with all USB flash drives. |
| 3. Allows customization of various settings, such as partition scheme and file system. | 3. Formatting the USB drive will erase all existing data. |
Now that we have covered two methods, let’s explore another method to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Method 3. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Using Diskpart Command
Diskpart is a command-line utility in Windows that allows you to manage disks, partitions, and volumes. It can also be used to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019. Here’s how you can use the Diskpart command to create a bootable USB drive:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges on your computer. This can be done by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator”.
Step 2: Run Diskpart
In the Command Prompt window, type “diskpart” and press Enter to start the Diskpart utility. You may need to provide administrator permissions if prompted.
Step 3: List Available Disks
Type “list disk” and press Enter to view a list of all available disks on your computer. Identify the disk number of the USB drive that you want to use for creating a bootable USB drive. Make sure to choose the correct disk as selecting the wrong disk can result in data loss.
Step 4: Select the USB Disk
Type “select disk ” and press Enter. Replace “” with the actual disk number of the USB drive. For example, if the USB drive is listed as Disk 1, you would enter “select disk 1”.
Step 5: Clean the Disk
Type “clean” and press Enter to erase all data on the USB drive. This will remove any existing partitions and prepare the USB drive for the bootable media.
Step 6: Create a Bootable Partition
Type “create partition primary” and press Enter to create a primary partition on the USB drive.
Step 7: Select the Partition
Type “select partition 1” and press Enter to select the partition you just created.
Step 8: Set the Partition as Active
Type “active” and press Enter to set the selected partition as active. This will make the USB drive bootable.
Step 9: Format the Partition
Type “format fs=ntfs quick” and press Enter to format the partition with the NTFS file system. The “quick” parameter enables quick formatting.
Step 10: Assign a Drive Letter
Type “assign” and press Enter to assign a drive letter to the USB drive. This will make the USB drive accessible in Windows.
Step 11: Copy Windows Server 2019 files
Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where you have saved the Windows Server 2019 ISO file. Right-click on the ISO file, select “Mount” from the context menu, and note the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO file.
In the Command Prompt window, type “xcopy :* : /s /e /f” and press Enter. Replace “” with the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO file and “” with the drive letter assigned to the USB drive. For example, if the mounted ISO file is assigned drive letter D and the USB drive is assigned drive letter E, you would enter “xcopy D:* E: /s /e /f”.
Step 12: Verify the Bootable USB Drive
Once the copy process is complete, you can close the Command Prompt and safely eject the USB drive from your computer. To verify the bootable USB drive, insert it into the server where you want to install Windows Server 2019 and boot from the USB drive. If the installation process starts, it indicates that the USB drive has been successfully created.
Pros & Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Built-in command-line utility in Windows for creating bootable USB drives. | 1. Requires manual execution of command-line commands. |
| 2. Does not require downloading or installing additional software. | 2. May not be as user-friendly for beginners without command-line experience. |
| 3. Provides complete control over the partitioning and formatting process. | 3. Formatting the USB drive will erase all existing data. |
Now that we have covered three methods, let’s explore one more method to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Method 4. How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Using PowerShell
PowerShell is a powerful scripting language and automation framework in Windows. It can also be used to create a bootable{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:null}
Данный вариант создания загрузочных флешек Windows опробован мной уже не раз и работает безотказно. Сегодня хочу показать как без помощи сторонних программ сделать установочный накопитель с любой версией Windows (в том числе и Windows Server) для установки операционной системы на компьютерах с BIOS и UEFI. Разница между ними есть, но об этом почему-то не пишут.
Тем, кто не желает заморачиваться, предлагаю почитать как сделать загрузочную флешку с Windows 10 в автоматическом режиме с помощью фирменной утилиты Media Creation Tool. Впрочем, описанный ниже вариант будет более универсальным.
Итак, нам понадобится оригинальный образ диска Windows. Образ можно скачать как с официального сайта Microsoft, так и с торрентов, но в последнем случае нужно быть предельно внимательным (крайне не рекомендую использовать для установки Windows различные сборки).
- Дважды кликаем по файлу образу ISO, чтобы смонтировать его и запоминаем букву диска (пусть это будет диск E:)
- Теперь вставляем USB-накопитель (флешку или внешний диск объемом не менее 8 Гб) и запускаем командную строку от имени Администратора
- Запускаем утилиту diskpart и подготавливаем файловую систему флешки для копирования файлов дистрибутива Windows:
(!)ВАЖНОЕ ЗАМЕЧАНИЕ: все данные с USB-накопителя будут удалены без дополнительных предупреждений, поэтому убедитесь, что вы выбрали правильный диск. Настоятельно рекомендую отключить другие внешние накопители (если они подключены), чтобы ограничить количество ошибок.
Собственно, весь процесс подготовки флешки показан на скриншоте. Давайте поясню что тут делалось.
Первым делом, командой list disk смотрим список дисков, подключенных к компьютеру:
DISKPART> list disk Диск ### Состояние Размер Свободно Дин GPT -------- ------------- ------- ------- --- --- Диск 0 В сети 238 Gбайт 1024 Kбайт * Диск 1 В сети 14 Gбайт 0 байт
Командой select disk 1 выбираем нашу флешку (в моем случае это диск 1):
DISKPART> select disk 1
Стираем содержимое диска командой clean:
DISKPART> clean DiskPart: очистка диска выполнена успешно.
Теперь создаем на диске (флешке) первичный раздел:
DISKPART> create partition primary DiskPart: указанный раздел успешно создан.
и делаем его активным командой active (для Windows 10/11 и Windows Server 2019/2022 это необязательный шаг) :
DISKPART> active DiskPart: раздел помечен как активный.
Пришло время отформатировать нашу флешку и тут есть одна особенность. Если ваш компьютер использует BIOS, тип файловой системы лучше выбирать ntfs (fs=ntfs), для UEFI выбираем fat32 (fs=fat32), так как UEFI работает только с этой файловой системой. Для примера отформатируем установочную флешку под Windows Server 2016:
DISKPART> format fs=fat32 quick label="WS2016" Завершено (в процентах): 100 Программа DiskPart успешно отформатировала том. DISKPART> exit
Параметром label=»WS2016″ просто указываем отображаемое имя флешки (если нужно, но не более 11 символов).
Осталось только скопировать все содержимое из смонтированного ранее образа диска Windows (диск E:) на флешку (диск F:):
xcopy E:\*.* F:\ /e /h /f
ПРИМЕЧАНИЕ: размер файла install.wim может превышать 4Gb, поэтому копирование файлов на раздел, отформатированный в системе fat32 прервется и выполнение команды xcopy завершится ошибкой.
Вопреки расхожему мнению, данная проблема достаточно просто решается разделением файл install.wim с помощью команды dism.
dism /Split-Image /ImageFile:E:\sources\install.wim /SWMFile:F:\sources\install.swm /FileSize:4096
После выполнения данной команды, нам нужно скопировать оставшиеся файлы на флешку. Чтобы не думать, что уже скопировано, а что нет, можно заново запустить xcopy с дополнительным параметром /c (пропуск ошибок) и подтвердив, что мы хотим заменить все файлы:
xcopy E:\*.* F:\ /e /h /f /c
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Creating a bootable USB drive is an essential task for every windows user. It is useful when you need to install the operating system or run repair tasks on your computer. In this article, we will focus on how to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Many users face issues while creating a bootable USB drive for the Windows Server 2019 operating system. But with this step-by-step guide, you can create a Windows Server 2019 bootable USB drive easily.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019, you need the following:
1. Windows Server 2019 ISO file
2. USB flash drive with at least 8GB storage capacity
3. Windows USB/DVD Download Tool or Rufus software
What Requires Your Focus?
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 requires your focus on the following aspects:
1. Selecting the correct USB flash drive
2. Choosing the appropriate software to create a bootable USB drive
3. Ensuring that the ISO file is complete and not corrupted
Different Methods to Create Windows Server 2019 Bootable USB
Method 1: Using Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
Step 1: Download and install the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
Step 2: Insert the USB flash drive into your computer and launch the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
Step 3: Click on the «Browse» button and select the Windows Server 2019 ISO file from your computer.
Step 4: Select «USB Device» and click on the «Begin Copying» button.
Step 5: Wait for the process to complete, which may take some time depending on the speed of your computer and USB drive.
Pros:
– Windows USB/DVD Download Tool is a free and reliable solution to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
– The software has an easy-to-use interface, which makes it ideal for novice users.
Cons:
– The Windows USB/DVD Download Tool only supports ISO files and not other disk image formats.
Method 2: Using Rufus
Step 1: Download and install Rufus from its official website.
Step 2: Insert the USB flash drive into your computer and launch Rufus.
Step 3: Choose the Windows Server 2019 ISO file from your computer in the «Boot selection» field.
Step 4: Select the USB drive in the «Device» section.
Step 5: Leave the other settings as default and click on «Start» to begin the process.
Step 6: Wait for the process to complete, which may take some time depending on the speed of your computer and USB drive.
Pros:
– Rufus is a versatile tool that supports a wide range of disk image formats.
– The software has advanced options that allow users to customize the bootable USB drive.
Cons:
– The advanced options may be confusing for novice users.
Method 3: Using Windows Media Creation Tool
Step 1: Download and install Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
Step 2: Launch Windows Media Creation Tool and select «Create installation media for another PC.«
Step 3: Choose «USB flash drive» as the media type and click on «Next.«
Step 4: Select the language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of Windows Server 2019.
Step 5: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer and select it as the location to install the media.
Step 6: Wait for the process to complete, which may take some time depending on the speed of your computer and USB drive.
Pros:
– Windows Media Creation Tool is an official Microsoft tool that creates a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
– The software is easy to use and offers step-by-step instructions.
Cons:
– The tool may download additional files during the process, which may take longer.
There could be several reasons why you can’t create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019:
1. The USB drive is not compatible or has issues with the formatting.
2. The ISO file is incomplete or corrupted.
3. The USB creation software is faulty or outdated.
To fix these issues, you can try the following:
1. Use a different USB drive or format the drive correctly.
2. Download the ISO file again from a reliable source.
3. Use an updated USB creation tool or switch to a different method.
Implications and Recommendations
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 can save you time and effort. If you have multiple computers that require a fresh installation of Windows Server 2019, you can use the same bootable USB drive. However, it is essential to ensure that you create a backup of your data before creating a bootable USB drive.
We recommend using official tools such as Windows USB/DVD Download Tool or Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. These tools are reliable, easy to use, and come from trusted sources.
5 FAQs about Creating Windows Server 2019 Bootable USB
Q1: Can I use a USB drive with less than 8GB storage capacity to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019?
A: No, you need a USB drive with at least 8GB storage capacity to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
Q2: Can I use a Mac computer to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019?
A: Yes, you can use a Mac computer to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 using software such as Rufus or Boot Camp.
Q3: Do I need to activate Windows Server 2019 after installing it from a bootable USB drive?
A: Yes, you need to activate Windows Server 2019 after installation using a valid product key.
Q4: How long does it take to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019?
A: The time taken to create a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 depends on the speed of your computer and USB drive. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.
Q5: Can I use a single bootable USB drive to install Windows Server 2019 on multiple computers?
A: Yes, you can use a single bootable USB drive to install Windows Server 2019 on multiple computers.
In Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019 is necessary for every system administrator or Windows user. With the right tools and steps, you can create a bootable USB drive easily and quickly. Always ensure that you use reliable sources and tools to avoid any issues. We hope this article has provided you with a detailed guide on creating a bootable USB drive for Windows Server 2019.
This blog post covers how you can create a bootable USB media drive to install Windows Server 2019 on a physical server. This blog post will not use any third-party tools; it only uses built-in tools that you can find on Windows 10 or Windows Server. Depending on your system you will need it to install it on a BIOS system or a UEFI based system, which is slightly different since UEFI will use GPT disks and BIOS will use an MBR disk. Here is how you create a USB Drive for a Windows Server 2019 installation.
Getting ready to create a USB Drive for a Windows Server 2019 Installation
First, you will need to have all the prerequisites in place.
- Download the Windows Server 2019 ISO File
- A USB Drive with at least 8GB size
Windows Server 2019 USB Thumb Drive for UEFI (GPT) systems
To create the USB drive to install Windows Server 2019 on a UEFI (GPT system, you do the following steps:
- The at least an 8GB USB drive has to be formatted in FAT32
- The USB needs to be GPT and not MBR
- Copy all files from the ISO to the USB drive
This is it, and here is how you do it. First, plug in your USB drive to your computer.
Open a PowerShell using the Run as Administrator option. You will need to change the path of the Windows Server 2019 ISO, and you will need to replace the USB Friendly Name in the script.
REMINDER: The following commands will wipe the USB Drive completely. So backup everything before you run through the PowerShell.
# Define Path to the Windows Server 2019 ISO $ISOFile = "C:\Temp\WindowsServer2019.iso" # Get the USB Drive you want to use, copy the friendly name Get-Disk | Where BusType -eq "USB" # Get the right USB Drive (You will need to change the FriendlyName) $USBDrive = Get-Disk | Where FriendlyName -eq "Kingston DT Workspace" # Replace the Friendly Name to clean the USB Drive (THIS WILL REMOVE EVERYTHING) $USBDrive | Clear-Disk -RemoveData -Confirm:$true -PassThru # Convert Disk to GPT $USBDrive | Set-Disk -PartitionStyle GPT # Create partition primary and format to FAT32 $Volume = $USBDrive | New-Partition -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter | Format-Volume -FileSystem FAT32 -NewFileSystemLabel WS2019 # Mount iso $ISOMounted = Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath $ISOFile -StorageType ISO -PassThru # Driver letter $ISODriveLetter = ($ISOMounted | Get-Volume).DriveLetter # Copy Files to USB Copy-Item -Path ($ISODriveLetter +":\*") -Destination ($Volume.DriveLetter + ":\") -Recurse # Dismount ISO Dismount-DiskImage -ImagePath $ISOFile
After that, you can safely remove the USB drive and use it to boot your server from.
Important:
If Install.wim is larger than 4GB, you cannot copy the file to the drive, because of the FAT32 based partition limitation. The solution for this is to split the wim file into smaller files.
split wim file using dism (you may have to change the drive letters):
dism /Split-Image /ImageFile:e:\sources\install.wim /SWMFile:k:\sources\install.swm /FileSize:4096
Windows Server 2019 USB Thumb Drive for BIOS (MBR) systems
To create the USB drive to install Windows Server 2019 on BIOS (MBR) systems, you can follow these steps:
- The at least an 8GB USB drive has to be formatted in NTFS
- USB drive needs to us MBR
- The partition needs to be set active
- Copy all files from the ISO to the USB Drive
This is it, and here is how you do it. First, plug in your USB drive to your computer.
Open a PowerShell using the Run as Administrator option. You will need to change the path of the Windows Server 2019 ISO, and you will need to replace the USB Friendly Name in the script.
REMINDER: The following commands will wipe the USB Drive completely. So backup everything before you run through the PowerShell.
# Define Path to the Windows Server 2019 ISO $ISOFile = "C:\Temp\WindowsServer2019.iso" # Get the USB Drive you want to use, copy the friendly name Get-Disk | Where BusType -eq "USB" # Get the right USB Drive (You will need to change the FriendlyName) $USBDrive = Get-Disk | Where FriendlyName -eq "Kingston DT Workspace" # Replace the Friendly Name to clean the USB Drive (THIS WILL REMOVE EVERYTHING) $USBDrive | Clear-Disk -RemoveData -Confirm:$true -PassThru # Convert Disk to MBR $USBDrive | Set-Disk -PartitionStyle MBR # Create partition primary and format to NTFS $Volume = $USBDrive | New-Partition -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter | Format-Volume -FileSystem NTFS -NewFileSystemLabel WS2019 # Set Partiton to Active $Volume | Get-Partition | Set-Partition -IsActive $true # Mount ISO $ISOMounted = Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath $ISOFile -StorageType ISO -PassThru # Driver letter $ISODriveLetter = ($ISOMounted | Get-Volume).DriveLetter # Copy Files to USB Copy-Item -Path ($ISODriveLetter +":\*") -Destination ($Volume.DriveLetter + ":\") -Recurse # Dismount ISO Dismount-DiskImage -ImagePath $ISOFile
After that, you can safely remove the USB drive and use it to boot your server from to install Windows Server 2019.
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments.
Tags: BIOS, Boot from USB, Format Disk, gpt, Install USB Drive, Install Windows Server 2019, installation, iso, MBR, Microsoft, Mount ISO, PowerShell, UEFI, USB, USB Drive, USB media drive, USB Windows Server 2019, Windows Server, Windows Server 2019 Last modified: November 22, 2021
About the Author / Thomas Maurer
Thomas works as a Principal Program Manager & Chief Evangelist Azure Hybrid at Microsoft (Cloud + AI). He engages with the community and customers around the world to share his knowledge and collect feedback to improve the Azure hybrid cloud and edge platform. Prior to joining the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI), Thomas was a Lead Architect and Microsoft MVP, to help architect, implement and promote Microsoft cloud technology.
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Typically, specialists administering servers use bootable flash drives to simplify and speed up their work, because not all machines may have a virtual environment for installing an ISO distribution. Another method you can use is network installation. This method requires the preparation and configuration of a PXE server, but is more labor intensive than installation using an SCCM server. Installing from a USB drive is a simple and convenient way to always have up-to-date system images at hand for installation and install them on the desired machine in a short time. In this material, we will take a detailed look at the process of creating a bootable USB with Windows Server 2019.
Prepare a USB drive or external hard drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB – the optimal memory capacity is 16 GB. So, the most proven ways in which we can create a bootable flash device are using the Rufus program and using Diskpart from the console administrator. We will look at each method in detail and step by step.
Creating a Bootable USB Using Rufus Utility
Rufus is software that allows you to quickly and efficiently turn a USB drive into a full bootable device. This utility offers a simple and intuitive interface, thanks to which even without deep technical knowledge you can prepare a flash drive for installing operating systems, including Windows Server 2019.
The obvious advantage of Rufus is its ability to work with various file systems, including FAT, FAT32, NTFS and UEFI or BIOS for old and new computers. The program supports creating bootable media from ISO images and can even check USB drives for bad sectors, which ensures high reliability and quality of the bootable flash drive.
Read more about the capabilities of the Rufus program in our material at this link
So, you need to download the latest version of Rufus from the official website
While the program and iso file are downloading, check your USB drive. You may need to save any data you have on it, which may be important because it will be formatted during the installation process.
Once Rufus downloads, launch it.
The current settings of your USB device will appear in the main window of the utility. In the “Device” column, you need to carefully select the desired USB drive and not confuse it with other drives.
After that, click on the “Select” button next to the “Disk image” column and specify the path to the previously downloaded ISO image of Windows Server 2019.
Pay attention to the “Partition scheme” option to “MBR” or “GPT”. This depends on the BIOS type of the machine on which the installation will be performed: the MBR parameter is selected for a machine that has a BIOS, and GPT for a machine that supports the UEFI standard.
For the file system, “NTFS” is usually selected. This is because files larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on a FAT32 volume.
You need to check again that the selected parameters are correct, and if everything is in order, click on the “Start” button. The program will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Confirm the action and wait for the recording process to complete.
Once the process is complete, Rufus will notify you that your device is ready. You can now remove the USB drive from the port using the Safe Disconnect option.
Great! Your boot drive is ready, now you can connect the bootable USB flash drive to the server. To initiate, do not forget to go to the BIOS or UEFI settings and set the boot priority from the USB device.
Save your changes and reboot the server to begin installing Windows Server 2019. Follow the installer instructions carefully to ensure that you are prompted to install Windows Server 2019 on a specific hard drive or partition.
Making a bootable USB using Diskpart
Diskpart is a built-in console tool in Windows operating systems that provides users with advanced storage management capabilities. Diskpart allows you to perform many disk space-related tasks, such as initializing new disks, creating, formatting or deleting partitions, and changing drive letters and paths.
To create a bootable USB flash drive with Windows Server 2019 using the Diskpart tool, follow these steps:
Insert the USB drive into your computer and open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.
• Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the utility.
• Use list disk command to display a list of all disks. Based on the size, identify the drive that matches your flash drive
• Enter the command select disk X, where X is the number of your USB drive.
• Clean the drive with clean command.
• To create a new primary partition, enter create partition primary.
• To select the created partition, use the select partition 1 command.
• Format the partition in NTFS format using the command format fs=ntfs quick (If the flash drive is larger than 32GB and you want to make it bootable under UEFI, use formatting in FAT32).
• Enable the partition using active command (this command is not needed for UEFI).
• Once formatting is complete, exit Diskpart by typing exit.
Now copy the Windows Server 2019 installation files to the flash drive. Open the ISO file from Windows Server and transfer all the files to the root directory of the USB drive.
This can also be done with the command X:cd\boot\ bootsect.exe /nt60 Y: – where X:\ is the letter of the mounted Windows ISO and Y:\ is the letter of the target USB drive
After copying the files, the bootable flash drive is ready, and you can begin installing Windows Server 2019 on the desired machine. Connect the finished bootable USB flash drive to the server, go to the BIOS or UEFI settings and set the boot priority from the USB device. I hope that the article was useful and helped you in creating a bootable USB drive.
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