# Install Windows Server From USB Drive

## Prerequisites

Hardware

* Device must meet or exceed [minimum hardware requirements](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/hardware-requirements)

{% hint style="info" %}
For installing Windows Server in a Hyper-V virtual environment, minimum RAM requirements differ. See the [Hardware requirements page (components tab)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/hardware-requirements?tabs=ram\&pivots=windows-server-2025#components) for details.
{% endhint %}

***

## Configure BIOS settings

Before installing from USB or DVD, change the computer's boot order in BIOS so the system boots from the USB or DVD.

* Accessing BIOS varies by hardware (commonly F2, F10, F12, or Delete during boot). Check your device manual.
* In BIOS, find **Boot Order** or **Boot Sequence** and move the USB or optical drive to the top.
* Save and exit BIOS; the device will reboot with the new boot order.

{% hint style="warning" %}
On Legacy BIOS systems with two disks, installing Windows Server 2025/2022 to the second disk may fail because Legacy BIOS requires the OS on the primary BIOS-enumerated disk (typically disk 0). If BIOS allows explicit primary-disk configuration, set the correct disk. You can run `SELECT DISK=SYSTEM` in diskpart to identify the first BIOS-enumerated disk.
{% endhint %}

***

{% content-ref url="/pages/3w6UOBZoDas95HId8OQz" %}
[Desktop Experience Step-by-Step](/deploykey-docs/windows-server-keys/install-windows-server-from-usb-drive/desktop-experience-step-by-step.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

***

## Install Windows Server

After setting the boot order and booting from the installation media (USB or DVD), follow the steps for the appropriate install option.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Desktop Experience (GUI) — initial steps

* Plug in USB or insert DVD, then reboot.
* When prompted, press any key to boot from installation media.
* Under **Select language settings**, choose language, time and currency format, then select **Next**.
* Under **Select keyboard settings**, pick keyboard language, then select **Next**.
* Under **Select setup option**, select **Install Windows Server**, accept that everything will be deleted if prompted, then select **Next**.
* Under **Choose a licensing method**, choose:
  * Use a product key.
* Under **Select image**, pick your Windows Server edition, then **Next**.
* Review **Applicable notices and license terms** and select **Accept**.
* Under **Select location to install Windows Server**, select the target disk, then **Next**.
* Under **Ready to install**, select **Install**.

The device will reboot a few times during installation.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Desktop Experience — post-reboot setup

* After reboots, accept **License terms**.
* Under **Customize settings**, create a complex Administrator password, then select **Finish**.
* After signing in as Administrator, review **Send diagnostic data to Microsoft.**
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

***

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Server Core — initial steps

* Plug in USB or insert DVD, then reboot.
* When prompted, press any key to boot from installation media.
* Under **Microsoft Server Operating System Setup**, select language, time/currency, and keyboard, then **Next**.
* Select **Install now**.
* Under **Activate Microsoft Server Operating System Setup**, enter your product key, then **Next**.
* Under **Select the operating system you want to install**, choose the version matching your license, then **Next**.
* Accept **Applicable notices and license terms**, then **Next**.
* For installation type, select **Custom: Install Microsoft Server Operating System only (advanced)**.
* Under **Where do you want to install Windows?**, select an empty drive, then **Next**.

The device will reboot during installation.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Server Core — post-reboot setup

* After reboot, provide a complex Administrator password under **Customize settings**, then select **Finish**.
* To manage and configure Server Core, you can use the Server Configuration tool (SConfig). See:
  * [Administer a Server Core server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-administer)
  * [Configure Server Core with SConfig](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-core/server-core-sconfig)
    {% endstep %}
    {% endstepper %}

***

### Check your activation status

If activation during setup was successful, you're good to go!

If you see that Windows Server wasn't correctly activated, you may have to do it manually.

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/SzGal8veS8fu2e7KccIy" %}
[Activation by GUI](/deploykey-docs/windows-server-keys/activation-by-gui.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/LBznnlplGvmFFMVZmupq" %}
[Activation by CMD](/deploykey-docs/windows-server-keys/activation-by-cmd.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

***

## See also

* [Get started with Windows Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/get-started-with-windows-server)
* [What's new in Windows Server 2025](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-windows-server-2025)
* [What's new in Windows Server 2022](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/whats-new-in-windows-server-2022)
* [Install or Uninstall Roles, Role Services, or Features](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/server-manager/install-or-uninstall-roles-role-services-or-features)
* [Hyper-V Technology Overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/hyper-v-overview)


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