Desktop Experience Step-by-Step

Insert USB Drive into computer/server

Click here to ask ChatGPT for specific instructions on booting from a USB using your computer or motherboard's model number

Select your preferred language and click Next

Select your preffered keyboard and click Next

Select "Install Windows Server" and click Next

Select the version you purchased

Note: Desktop Experience is a GUI similar to Windows 10 (For Windows Server 2022) or Windows 11 (For Windows Server 2025).

Read and Accept/Decline terms

These notices and terms are designed and written by Microsoft. For questions, comments, and concerns, please contact Microsoft.

Select Disk you wish to install on

You may also wish to load drivers from here or after Windows Server is installed if your hardware requires it.

Ready to install

Whenever you're ready, click "Install".

Installation will begin

Create a Password

Sign in

Finish Setup

Close out Server Manager for now

After closing out of Server Manager, you will see this:

This is because the installer automatically enters you into the Evaluation Version.

Switch to full version instead of evaluation

1. Run CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator:

1. Convert your version:

2. Copy the command under your version. Click on the tab for your Server version (2022/2025) and copy the command for your license type (Standard/Datacenter).

1. Paste the command you copied into Command Prompt:

1. If asked to restart now after it's done adding packages, type "y" for yes.

2. After restart, you will notice the Evaluation notification watermark is now gone:

Activate

slmgr /ipk YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY-HERE
slmgr /ato

1. Search for activation settings and open it:

1. Click on "Change" next to "Change product key":

1. Type/Paste your purchased key here and click "Next":

1. Click "Activate":

Enjoy your activated copy of Windows Server!