How to install and configure Windows Server 2025

Windows Server 2025 is here. You can download a preview from Microsoft right now. Click here to sign up for the free preview. latest ISO image, and then come back and follow this procedure to learn how to download, install, and configure Windows Server 2025. I will be using Hyper-V to create a virtual server running Windows Server 2025.

Step 1 – Sign up for the Windows Server 2025 Preview

As of May 2024, Windows Server 2025 is in pre-release.

As of May 2024, Windows Server 2025 is in pre-release.

Step 2 – Configure the Windows Server 2025 installation

Now follow the installation instructions:

  1. Set the language and date/time.
  • Configure the keyboard layout.
  • Choose Install Windows Server.
  • If, like me, you don't have a product key, simply click I don't have a product key. This will give you a 180-day trial license.
  • Now choose the version you want to install. In this example, I will install Windows Server 2025 Datacenter Desktop Experience.
  • Accept the terms and conditions.
  • Select the virtual disk you created when you first set up your virtual machine.
  • Now click on Install.
  • Sit back and wait for it to install, it won't take long.

Step 3 – Windows Server 2025 Post-Installation Configuration

Once the installation is complete, you can configure the server as follows:

  • Choose “Do this later” in the Windows product key.
  • Next, create your Administrator account, assign a password, and click Finalize.
  • Now log in to Windows Server 2025 using your Administrator account.
  • Welcome to Windows Server 2025.

Step 4 – Open the firewall to allow access to the external network

  • For the purposes of this demonstration, simply disable the Windows Firewall. This is fine in this environment because I have a hardware firewall elsewhere on my network. Do not do this in a production environment.

Step 5 – Run Windows Update

It is always good practice to run Windows Update to ensure you are protected.

Home > Type “Update” > Click “Check for Updates.”