Install Windows Server From USB Drive
Prerequisites
Hardware
Device must meet or exceed minimum hardware requirements
For installing Windows Server in a Hyper-V virtual environment, minimum RAM requirements differ. See the Hardware requirements page (components tab) for details.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
See also
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