Windows Server Lab Manual


Windows Server 2022 / 2025 Installation in Virtual Machine (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Download the ISO

Download the ISO from **Microsoft Evaluation Center.

Example files:

  • Windows Server 2022 ISO
  • Windows Server 2025 ISO

Create Virtual Machine

Step 2 — Open Virtualization Software

Install and open:

  • VMware Workstation
    or
  • Oracle VM VirtualBox

 

Step 3 — Create New Virtual Machine

Click:

Create New Virtual Machine

Example VM wizard screen:

Step 4 — Select Configuration Type

Choose:

Typical (Recommended)

 

Step 5 — Select Installation Source

Choose:

Installer disc image file (ISO)

Browse and select:

Windows_Server_2022.iso

 

Step 6 — Select Guest Operating System

Choose:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Windows Server 2022 / 2025

 

Step 7 — Name the Virtual Machine

Example:

VM Name: Techstack-DC01
Location: D:\VMs

 

Step 8 — Configure Disk Size

Recommended VM settings:

Setting

Value

OS Type

Windows Server 2022 / 2025

RAM

4 GB (minimum)

CPU

2 cores

Disk

60 GB

Network

NAT or Bridged

Attach the Windows Server ISO file.

Step 9 — Configure Hardware

Recommended lab specs:

Resource

Value

RAM

4–8 GB

CPU

2 Cores

Network

NAT

Click Finish


Windows Server Installation

Step 10 — Start the Virtual Machine

Power on the VM.

Windows Setup will start.

 

Step 11 — Windows Setup Language Screen

Choose:

  • Language to install
  • Time and currency format
  • Keyboard layout

Click Next.

 

Step 12 — Click Install Now

Click:

Install Now

 

Step 13 — Setup Starts

Windows Setup begins loading installation files.

 

Step 14 — Select Windows Server Edition

Example options:

  • Windows Server 2022 Standard
  • Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2022 Standard (Desktop Experience)
  • Windows Server 2022 Datacenter (Desktop Experience)

Recommended for labs:

Desktop Experience (GUI)

Click Next.

 

Step 15 — Accept License Agreement

Check:

✔ I accept the license terms

Click Next

 

Step 16 — Choose Installation Type

Select:

Custom: Install Microsoft Server Operating System only

 

Step 17 — Select Installation Disk

Choose:

Drive 0 Unallocated Space

Click Next

 

Step 18 — Windows Installation Begins

Setup stages:

  1. Copying Windows files
  2. Getting files ready for installation
  3. Installing features
  4. Installing updates
  5. Finishing up

 

Step 19 — Automatic Restart

The virtual machine will restart automatically.

Do not press any key during reboot.


First Boot Configuration

Step 20 — Administrator Password Screen

Set password for:

Administrator

Example:

P@ssw0rd123

Click Finish

 

Step 21 — Login Screen

Press:

CTRL + ALT + DEL

 

Step 22 — Login to Server

Enter:

User: Administrator
Password: ********

 

Step 23 — Windows Server Desktop

After login you will see:

  • Desktop
  • Server Manager launching automatically

 

Step 24 — Server Manager Dashboard

This is the main management console.

You can:

  • Add roles and features
  • Configure networking
  • Join domain

 

Step 25 — Basic Server Configuration

Recommended first tasks:

Task

Purpose

Rename Server

Easy identification

Set Static IP

Network stability

Enable Remote Desktop

Remote management

Install Roles

AD, DNS, DHCP

Installation Completed

Your Windows Server VM lab environment is now ready.




1. Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) Installation

Steps

  1. Open Server Manager.
  2. Click Manage → Add Roles and Features.
  3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation.
  4. Choose your server from the server pool.
  5. Check Active Directory Domain Services.
  6. Click Add Features → Next → Install.
  7. After installation, click Promote this server to a domain controller.
  8. Choose Add a new forest.
  9. Enter Root Domain Name (example: lab.local).
  10. Set Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password.
  11. Click Next → Install.
  12. Server will restart automatically.

2. DNS Server Configuration



Steps

  1. Open Server Manager → Tools → DNS.
  2. Expand Server Name.
  3. Right-click Forward Lookup Zones → New Zone.
  4. Choose Primary Zone.
  5. Enter zone name (example: techstack.it.com).
  6. Finish the wizard.
  7. Right-click zone → New Host (A).
  8. Enter:
    • Host name
    • IP Address
  9. Click Add Host.

3. DHCP Server Setup



Steps

  1. Open Server Manager → Tools → DHCP.
  2. Expand IPv4.
  3. Right-click IPv4 → New Scope.
  4. Enter Scope Name (example: OfficeNetwork).
  5. Configure IP Range
    • Start IP: 192.168.1.10
    • End IP: 192.168.1.200
  6. Set Subnet Mask (example: 255.255.255.0).
  7. Add Default Gateway (example: 192.168.1.1).
  8. Enter DNS Server IP.
  9. Activate the scope.

4. Creating Users in Active Directory

4

Steps

  1. Open Server Manager → Tools → Active Directory Users and Computers.
  2. Expand your domain (lab.local).
  3. Right-click Users → New → User.
  4. Enter:
    • First Name
    • Last Name
    • User Logon Name
  5. Click Next.
  6. Set Password.
  7. Select options:
    • User must change password at next logon
  8. Click Finish.

5. Join Client Computer to Domain




Steps

  1. Open This PC → Properties.
  2. Click Change settings.
  3. Click Change.
  4. Select Domain.
  5. Enter Domain Name (techstack.it).
  6. Enter Administrator credentials.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Restart the computer.

6. Group Policy (GPO) Configuration

4

Steps

  1. Open Server Manager → Tools → Group Policy Management.
  2. Expand Forest → Domains → lab.local.
  3. Right-click domain → Create a GPO.
  4. Enter Policy Name (example: PasswordPolicy).
  5. Right-click the GPO → Edit.
  6. Configure required settings.

Example:
Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Account Policies.


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