If you plan to perform a clean install of Windows Server 2022 (or an older version), you will need to create a USB bootable drive that you can use to start the server and continue with the setup. You can complete this task in at least two ways, and in this guide, you will learn how.
Unlike Windows 11 and 10, Microsoft doesn’t offer a Media Creation tool to download the ISO or create a USB flash drive to install the server version of the operating system. However, it’s possible to create a Windows Server bootable USB drive using commands or through third-party apps like Rufus.
This guide will teach you the steps to create a Windows Server USB flash.
- Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB media with Rufus
- Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB copying files to USB
Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB media with Rufus
To create a Windows Server 2022 bootable USB with Rufus, use these steps:
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Open Windows Server 2022 download page.
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Click the “Download the ISO” link.
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Register with the form and download the ISO file.
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Click the Download now button.
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Click the “ISO downloads 64-bit edition” option to download the file.
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Open Rufus website.
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Under the “Download” section, click the link to download the latest version.
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Double-click the rufus.3.xx.exe file to launch the tool.
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Under the “Device” section, select the USB flash drive to create the bootable media.
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Under the “Boot selection” section, select the “Disk or ISO image” option.
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Click the Select button.
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Select the “Windows Server 2022 ISO” file.
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Click the Open button.
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Under the “Image option” setting, select the “Standard Windows Installation” option.
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Under the “Partition scheme” section, select the GPT option.
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Under the “Target system” section, select the UEFI (non-CSM) option.
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Under the “Volume label” section, confirm a name for the USB flash drive. For example, “Server 2022 USB.”
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Use the default settings for the File system and Cluster size options.
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Check the Quick format option.
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Check the “Create extended label and icon files” option.
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Click the Start button.
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Clear the “Customize Windows installation” settings.
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Click the OK button.
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Click the OK button again.
Once you complete the steps, you can proceed to install the server version of Windows on the device.
Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB copying files to USB
To create a Windows Server 2022 bootable USB through Command Prompt, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as Administrator option.
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Type the following command to open DiskPart and press Enter:
diskpart
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Type the following command to find out the USB flash drive and press Enter:
list disk
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Type the following command to select the drive and press Enter:
select disk 2
In the command, replace “2” with the number of the USB removable drive.
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Type the following commands to erase the flash drive and press Enter:
clean
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Type the following command to create a primary partition on the drive and press Enter:
create partition primary
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Type the following command to select the new partition and press Enter:
select partition 1
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Type the following command to activate the partition and press Enter:
active
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Type the following command to make the Windows Server 2022 USB flash drive bootable and press Enter:
format FS=FAT32 quick
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Type the following command to set a drive letter and press Enter:
assign letter=S
In the command, change “S” for any available letter to use.
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Type the following command to exit the DiskPart tool without closing Command Prompt and press Enter:
exit
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Type the following command to mount the Windows Server 2022 ISO file and press Enter:
PowerShell Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath "E:\SERVER_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso"
In the command, change the path with the location of the ISO file.
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(Optional) Type the following command to start DiskPart and press Enter:
diskpart
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(Optional) Type the following command to find the drive letter for the mounted ISO file and press Enter:
list volume
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Type the following command to quit the DiskPart tool and press Enter:
exit
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Type the following command to access the Windows Server 2022 ISO file and press Enter:
I:
In the command, change “I” for the drive letter of the mounted ISO file.
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Type the following command to enter the “boot” folder in the ISO file and press Enter:
cd boot
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Type the following command to update the volume boot code on the flash drive and press Enter:
bootsect /nt60 S:
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Type the following command to copy all the Windows Server 2022 files from the ISO to the USB flash drive and press Enter:
xcopy G:\*.* S:\ /E /F /H
In the command, change the “G” and “S” drive letters with the correct drive letters for the Windows Server 2022 ISO image and the USB drive respectively.
After you complete the steps, you can use the USB flash drive to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows Server 2022.
These introductions should also work to create a USB bootable drive for previous versions of Windows Server, including 2019 and 2016.
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- Review Windows Server 2022 release notes and system requirements.
- Register, then download and install. (Note: This evaluation edition expires in 180 days.)
- Receive emails with resources to guide you through your evaluation.
Installation Guidelines
After installation, install the latest servicing package.
- Go to: Microsoft update catalog and search for «Windows Server 2022”.
- Evaluation versions of Windows Server must activate over the internet in the first 10 days to avoid automatic shutdown.
Once you’ve downloaded the installation file (Windows Server 2022 .iso), create a bootable USB drive (pendrive) to perform the installation.
Note: You’ll need a USB device with a minimum memory of 16GB.
The application you can use for this process is:
Rufus
- Download it for free here.
- Scroll down and download the most up-to-date version of Rufus in the Download section.
- Connect the USB and then open the Rufus programme.
- Click on Select and find the Windows Server 2022 .iso file you want to set up.
- Finally, click on Start and wait for the programme to create the bootable USB drive.
- Once the setup is complete (Prepared progress bar), click on Close and you’ll be ready to install Windows Server 2022.
Note: It will show a popup window called Customize Windows Installation, select option 3 Disable Data Collection and wait for the programme to create the bootable USB drive.
Windows Server 2022 is the latest version of Microsoft’s server operating system, providing a robust, secure, and scalable environment for managing IT infrastructure, network resources, and services. In this article, we will introduce the process of How To install windows server 2022 , from initial preparation to completing the installation.
Prerequisites for Installing Windows Server 2022
Before beginning the installation, ensure that your hardware meets the minimum system requirements for Windows Server 2022. These include:
- Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor (2 or more cores).
- RAM: 512 MB minimum; 2 GB or more recommended.
- Disk space: 32 GB or more.
- Network Adapter: Ethernet adapter compatible with IPv4 or IPv6.
- Graphics: Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution.
- Bootable media: USB drive, DVD, or ISO image for installation.
- You also need a valid product key for activation, which can be obtained from Microsoft or your licensed distributor.
Download Windows Server 2022 ISO File
To start the installation process, you first need to download the Windows Server 2022 ISO file from the official Microsoft website. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Microsoft Windows Server download page.
- Choose the desired edition (e.g., Standard or Datacenter) and download the ISO file.
- Make sure you have a valid product key ready, as you will be asked to enter it during installation.
Create Bootable Installation Media
Once you have the ISO file, you need to create bootable installation media. You can use a USB drive or a DVD. We will focus on the USB drive method:
- Insert a USB drive (at least 8 GB in size) into your computer.
- Use the Windows Media Creation Tool or a third-party tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
- For Rufus, select your USB drive, choose the Windows Server 2022 ISO file, and click Start.
- Wait for the process to complete, which may take several minutes.
- Once the bootable USB drive is ready, you’re all set to begin the installation on your server or computer.
Related Articles: What Is USB (Universal Serial Bus)? Types, Features, And Uses
Boot from the Installation Media
To install Windows Server 2022, you need to boot your computer from the USB drive or DVD. Follow these steps:
- Insert the bootable USB drive into the server or machine where you want to install Windows Server 2022.
- Power on or restart the machine and access the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, ESC, or DEL) during startup.
- In the BIOS/UEFI menu, change the boot order so that the USB drive is set as the primary boot device.
- Save and exit the BIOS settings.
- Your system should now boot from the USB drive, and you will see the Windows Server 2022 installation screen.
To go to the system’s BIOS, the hotkey of each brand may be different, which you can find out from the brand manufacturing website. Below you can see the hotkey to go to the bios of some motherboard brands.
Start the Installation Process
If your ISO file was correct, no error occurred while creating bootable USB, which means that the USB bootable media has been created successfully, and the port to which the USB media is connected is working properly. The below screen will be displayed in your system. In which you will be asked to press any key from the keyboard, which confirms that you want to install the installation script from CD/DVD or USB in the system.
Now that your computer is booting from the installation media, follow these steps: choose the language according to your needs for the installation of windows server 2022. By default English, (United State) language are selected, but you can change it accordingly and click on Next to continue the installation.
- On the first screen, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout.
- Click Next to continue.
- Click on “Install Now” shown on the below screen to begin the installation process of windows server 2022.
Enter the Product Key
At this point, Windows Server 2022 will prompt you to enter a valid product key. Enter the product key you obtained earlier and click Next. If you do not have a product key at this moment, you can skip this step by clicking “I don’t have a product key.” You will be asked to activate it later.
Select the Installation Edition
On the screen below, you will see the available editions of Windows Server 2022. Select the edition that best meets your requirements. The Standard edition is ideal for most businesses, while the Datacenter edition is designed for larger organizations needing advanced features like virtualization. In this example, we have chosen the Windows Server 2022 Desktop Experience, which includes the Windows GUI and other related tools. After making your selection, click Next to proceed with the installation.
Accept the License Terms
You will be asked to review and accept the license terms. Read through the terms and check the box indicating that you agree to the terms. After that, click Next to proceed.
Choose the Installation Type
On the screen below, you will see two options: Upgrade and Custom. Choose the option based on your server’s requirements.
- Select Upgrade if your system already has a previous Windows operating system installed, such as Windows Server 2019, and you want to upgrade to Windows Server 2022.
- Choose Custom Install if you are installing Windows Server 2022 on a new server without any previous operating system.
Choose the Installation Drive
The next screen will show you a list of available drives and partitions. If the system has multiple drives or partitions, select the one where you want to install Windows Server 2022. If the disk is not partitioned, you can create a new partition. Here are the steps:
- Select the unallocated space (or the drive where you want to install).
- Click Next. Windows will automatically format the drive and prepare it for installation.
If you have an existing operating system on the drive, it will be replaced by the new installation.
In this example, we have created a 100 GB partition for installation. You can adjust the number and size of partitions as needed. To create a new partition, click the New option shown on the screen. Then, click Next to continue with the installation.
Wait for the Installation to Complete
At this point, Windows Server 2022 will begin copying files, installing features, and configuring the system. This process may take some time, depending on the speed of your hardware. The server will restart several times during the installation. during the os installation system will be starting 1-3 times so don’t worry.
Set the Administrator Password
Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to set an Administrator password. This password will be used to log in to the server after installation. Ensure that the password is strong and meets the security requirements (e.g., minimum length, complexity). After entering the password, click Finish.
Finalize the Configuration
After the system restarts, you will be presented with the Windows Server 2022 login screen. Enter the password you set for the Administrator account and log in.
After the operating system installation is complete, the Windows Server 2022 login screen will appear. To log in, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard. To log in to the server, you will enter the administrator password that was set at the time of OS installation.
The screen below shows the login screen of Windows Server 2022. After successful installation of Windows, you can configure it according to your company and institute requirements.
Initial Configuration of Windows Server 2022
Once logged in, Windows Server 2022 may take you through an initial setup wizard for network and system configuration. You may need to:
- Set the server name: The default name is usually “Server” followed by a number (e.g., “Server01”). You can rename it by going to the Server Manager.
- Configure the network settings: If your server is connected to a network, configure the IP address, DNS, and other network settings.
- Activate Windows: If you skipped entering the product key earlier, activate your server by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Install Updates: It is highly recommended to install the latest updates and patches from Microsoft to ensure your server is secure and up to date.
Install Server Roles and Features
After completing the basic configuration, you can now install the roles and features that your server will support. Windows Server 2022 includes a variety of roles such as:
- Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- DNS Server
- Web Server (IIS)
- File and Storage Services
- Hyper-V (for virtualization)
You can install these roles via Server Manager by selecting Add roles and features and following the wizard.
Set Up Remote Desktop and Other Services
If you need remote access to your server, enable Remote Desktop by going to System Properties > Remote Settings and selecting Allow remote connections. You can also configure additional services such as DNS, DHCP, or Active Directory based on your organization’s needs.
Back Up the Server
It’s always a good idea to back up your server after installation. Use the built-in Windows Server Backup tool or third-party backup software to create an initial backup of your system.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows Server 2022. From here, you can configure and deploy additional services, set up security measures, and optimize your server for your specific needs. Regular updates and monitoring will help ensure that your server runs smoothly and securely for years to come.
Recommended Articles
This article describes how you can create Server 2022 bootable USB media to install Windows Server 2022 on a workstation. It depends on the system; you can install it on a UEFI-based system or on a BIOS system, which is a little different since BIOS will use an MBR disk and UEFI will use a GPT disk. Here is how you create a Windows Server 2022 USB drive for installation.
Before you start the installation of Server 2022 on the physical system,. Windows server boot media comes in two forms: as a USB drive or a CD/DVD drive. These days, the majority of modern server hardware comes without a CD/DVD drive
Get the Windows Server 2022 ISO File
If you do not have a Windows Server 2022 ISO image, you can download it from Microsoft’s website.
Create Server 2022 Bootable USB
Before starting the burning process, you will need a USB drive with at least 16GB. It will erase the whole data on the USB during the creation process. So first, make sure any important data is backed up. I am using the Windows 11 operating system to create a server bootable USB drive. Insert your USB drive into your computer, and then follow the below steps.
Create a Bootable USB using Rufus
Download the Rufus tool. Rufus is a standalone tool, and it doesn’t require any installation.
After downloading Rufus, run the Rufus setup file.
Under the Device menu, choose your USB drive if it isn’t detected automatically.
In the boot selection menu, click on the SELECT button to select the Windows Server ISO image
Select the server ISO image and then choose Open.
Image option: Standard Windows installation.
Partition scheme: GPT.
Target system: UEFI
Volume label: Server 2022
File system: NTFS
Advanced format: choose “Quick format”, create a volume label.
Click on the Start button, and then confirm to erase the flash drive.
Create Server 2022 Bootable USB using the Windows Tool
Download the Windows USB/DVD Tool and then run the setup to install it.
Please ensure the USB flash drive.
Open it, choose the browse button to select the Server 2022 ISO image, and then click next.
Choose “Begin Copying” and then confirm to erase the USB drive.
Make Bootable USB with Balenaetcher
Download Etcher
Etcher is a free application that is used to burn files on the flash drive from operating systems, such as IMG and ISO images, to make it a bootable USB. It is considered the greatest bootable USB creator. Etcher works well with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Select your Server 2022 ISO file by clicking on Flash in the file.
Verify your USB drive, and then click on Flash.
Create Bootable USB Drive with YUMI
Download YUMI
This tool is used to create a bootable USB drive for multiple OSs. It is an open-source tool.
Select USB drive
Click on the browse button to select a Windows Server ISO image.
Click on the Create button.
Create Bootable USB with Universal USB Installer
Download Universal USB Installer
This tool is offered by Pendrivelinux, and you can use it to create both Windows and Linux bootable USB disks.
Select the Windows Server ISO image by clicking on the browse button.
Verify the USB drive
Click create.
Create Bootable USB Server 2022 with WinSetupFromUSB
Download WinSetupFromUSB
This tool creates a bootable USB drive for multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux.
Verify USB drive
Click on the… button to select the Windows Server ISO image.
Choose GO to start the bootable process.
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