Microsoft is renowned for its Operating Systems, Servers, and Office Suites. The Redmond giants launched Windows Server 2022 in 2021. Immediately after launching, it gained huge popularity among server users worldwide. The introduced new features and the existing tools’ enhancements have helped it achieve this popularity. Still, some users need help with downloading, installing, and activating this recent Server version. This guide is especially for you if you too feel complexity with the download, installation, and activation guide of this latest Server version Microsoft offers.
Verify the System Requirements of Microsoft Server 2022 Datacenter with Your Device Specifications
This is the very first step to beginning the downloading, installing, and activation process of any software, including Windows Server 2022 Datacenter. You must verify the system requirements and device specification to avoid various issues while installing or running the application on your device system; the performance issue is one of them. So, let’s be wise and have a look at the system requirements for this Server version;
Processor: At least 1.4 GHz (Gigahertz) 64-bit processor, compatible with x64 instruction set with support for NX, DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW.
Memory: A minimum of 512 MB (Megabytes) of memory; for the Server with the Desktop Experience installation option, you need at least 2 GB (Gigabyte) of memory space. ECC type memory (Error Correcting Code). In terms of the physical server, a minimum of 32 GB disk space is required.
Network: A minimum 1 Gbps compliant network adapter with PCI Express architecture specification.
Graphics: SVGA display with a minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher.
Additional Requirements: UEFI 2.3.1 c-based system, firmware with secure boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), portable boot/ thumb drive, and internet connection.
Want to have a detailed look at the Windows Server 2022 system requirements? Navigate to this Microsoft webpage to have a detailed look.
Process of Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Download
When your device meets the system requirements, you are ready to initiate the download of the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter ISO file. First, ensure you have a well-connected internet connection to your device, and then press the ‘Download Now’ button below to start the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter ISO download.
The download process may take several minutes, depending on your internet connection speed. It may take a long time while you are using a comparatively slow internet connection. To avoid this, it is recommended to have a fast internet connection while downloading Windows 2022 Server.
Fifth, From the Image Option, Select No TPM (while your device doesn’t support TPM 2.0, otherwise, you have to select TPM). After that, you must choose GPT for UEFI PCs and MBR for PC versions without BIOS. Once you’ve done all that, you need to click on the Start button (located at the bottom of the Rufus window) to initiate the creation process of the bootable USB drive.
[It may take a while to complete the process.]
Now, you’ve completed the process of creating a bootable USB drive. It will be helpful to complete the installation process of Windows Server 2022 on your computer system.
Installing Windows Server 2022 on Your Device System with the Bootable USB Drive
After creating the bootable USB drive, installing Server 2022 on your device system will be easy and quick. Back up all your data from the drive you want to use in the installation process. The following instructions will lead you to a successful installation;
First, Insert the bootable USB drive into the USB port of your computer device and turn off the device. Once the device is turned off, you must press the Start Button to turn the device on. After that, constantly press the boot keys while the device startup to enter the boot menu.
Second, Select USB HDD: Specific STORAGE DEVICE from the boot menu and press the enter key to access the Windows Server 2022 installation screen.
Third, you must choose the language, time, currency, and input method from the installation screen, then press Next on the Windows Server Installation Screen. As we advance, you must click the Install Now button to redirect to the Windows Server version selection screen. Select Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Evaluation (Desktop Experience) from there and press Next.
Fourth, you are almost done with the process; follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once you get the Terms & Conditions Window, tick the I Accept option and press Next.
Fifth, you must select the installation type and the disk drive where you want to install the Server 2022. It is always suggested to use an empty drive while custom installations.
[Selecting the Custom Installation option will give you a fresh OS version, and the upgrade installation will only remove the system file of the previous OS]
Sixth, the installation process has already been initiated. Once you have completed the installation, you must assign the username and password before clicking the Finish button. Simultaneously pressing and holding the ctrl, alt, and del keys will instantly enable you to log in with your assigned administrative login credentials.
[It may take 15-25 minutes to complete the installation process.]
With that, the installation process ends. You can now remove the bootable USB drive from the device’s USB port and continue the activation process.
The Activation Process of Windows Server 2022 Datacenter
Finishing the installation process makes you capable of initiating the activation process of the Server 2022 Datacenter. It is the easiest process with the following instructions;
First, Open the Windows Run Dialog Box by pressing the Windows key + R key. Type cmd on the Run Dialog Box and press ctrl + shift + enter key to open the Windows Command Prompt with administrative access (elevated access).
Second, Run the following command line on the Windows Command Prompt Window to activate your Server Datacenter 2022 edition. Remember to replace the x’s with your product activation or license key digits.
Dism /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
This is all for downloading, installing, and activating Microsoft Windows Server Datacenter 2022. Remember to back up all your files and documents from the drives you will use with the installation process. Otherwise, you may lose your important data.
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