Windows Server 2022 introduces advanced features: enhanced security, tight integration with the Azure cloud, and flexible application deployment options. To begin the installation, you first need to obtain the system ISO image and create a bootable disk or USB drive from it. Let’s delve into this process.
What is Required for Installation?
Before we discuss how to Windows Server 2022 ISO download, let’s ensure your hardware is suitable for Server 2022. The official system requirements are as follows:
- A 64-bit processor with a clock speed of 1.4 GHz.
- A minimum of 512 MB of RAM, but 2 GB is recommended for optimal performance.
- Hard disk space — a minimum of 32 GB, but it’s better to allocate at least 128 GB for the system and future data.
- A network card with 1 Gbps bandwidth for rapid data exchange.
- A bootable DVD drive or USB port for installation from a disk or flash drive.
- Windows Server 2022 is available in Standard, Datacenter, and Datacenter Azure editions. Typically, Standard is sufficient for small companies, while Datacenter is necessary for large infrastructures and data centers. The Azure version is optimized for the Microsoft Azure cloud.
The editions differ in the number of supported physical processors, RAM capacity, available server roles, and other parameters. Study the comparative table of editions and choose the one suitable for your needs.
Where to Download Windows Server 2022 Image?
Now that we’ve determined the “hardware” requirements, let’s move on to downloading the system image. This should only come from verified sources.
There are three main ways to download the ISO image:
Official Microsoft Evaluation Center website:
- Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022.
- Register and fill in your information.
- Select the desired edition and language.
- Click the Download button and save the ISO file.
Downloading the Preview version:
- A trial version is available without registration via a direct link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/preview.
- Note that this is a pre-release build and will restart every 2 hours.
MSDN Subscribers Portal:
- If you have an active MSDN subscription, the final version of Windows Server 2022 LTSC RTM is available on the portal.
- Log into your account and look for the download link in the Downloads section.
Safety First
To avoid downloading malware along with the image, adhere to these simple rules:
- Download images only from official Microsoft websites.
- Verify the integrity of the downloaded ISO file by comparing its MD5 hash with the one specified on the download page.
- Use a secure internet connection for downloading, preferably with antivirus protection.
- Save the image to an external USB drive after scanning it with antivirus software.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Once you have the image, you can proceed with installing Windows Server 2022. Here’s a brief guide:
- Mount the downloaded ISO file or extract it to a separate folder using archiving software.
- Locate the setup.exe file and run it.
- In the installer window, select the edition (if multiple are available) and interface language.
- Accept the license agreement and click “Next”.
- Indicate whether you want to upgrade an existing system or perform a clean installation.
- Select the installation disk and create/delete partitions if necessary.
- Wait for the file copying and initial system configuration to complete.
- Set a password for the built-in administrator account.
- After the final restart, you will be on the Windows Server 2022 desktop.
Post-Installation Tasks
You have successfully installed Windows Server 2022. You can congratulate yourself, but it’s too early to relax. There are still several important steps to take to ensure your server functions properly:
- Download and install the latest drivers for the motherboard, disk controllers, network cards, and other devices. Native drivers from the Windows distribution are often suboptimal.
- Configure network settings: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, preferred, and alternate DNS servers. Test the network connection using the ping command to the gateway and external addresses.
- Access the Windows Update Center and install the latest critical and recommended updates. Don’t forget to restart the server after updating.
- Activate the server license using the slmgr /ato command in the command prompt. If you have a product key, enter it in the appropriate field and click “Activate”.
- Install necessary server roles and components through the Server Manager. For example, file services, remote desktop services, IIS web server roles, and so on.
These steps can be considered a basic post-installation checklist. Depending on your server’s tasks, additional configurations may be necessary: security policies, antivirus protection, and a backup schedule. Don’t forget about them!
Summary
Let’s summarize the above:
- Download the ISO image only from the official Microsoft website or from MSDN if you have a subscription. Be cautious!
- Installation won’t take long if you follow the step-by-step instructions. However, basic configuration is necessary after installation.
- Study the documentation, monitor updates, and properly administer your new Windows Server 2022.
Good luck with your installation and administration!
