> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://deploykey.gitbook.io/deploykey-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://deploykey.gitbook.io/deploykey-docs/windows-server-keys/install-windows-server-from-usb-drive/desktop-experience-step-by-step.md).

# Desktop Experience Step-by-Step

{% hint style="info" %}
The pictures in this step-by-step depict Windows Server 2025 Datacenter but the process is the same for Windows Server 2022 Standard/Datacenter and Windows Server 2025 Standard/Datacenter.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Insert USB Drive into computer/server

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Click [here](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Please%20provide%20short%20and%20easy%20to%20follow%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20boot%20a%20computer%20from%20a%20flash%20drive.%20First,%20ask%20for%20the%20computer%20model%20or%20motherboard%20model.) to ask ChatGPT for specific instructions on booting from a USB using your computer or motherboard's model number

{% hint style="info" %}
To open the ChatGPT link in a new tab, please hold the Ctrl keyboard key and click on the hyperlink (If you're reading from a computer) or hold on the hyperlink text and click open in a new tab (If you're reading from a phone).
{% endhint %}

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select your preferred language and click Next

<figure><img src="/files/IW6mOkCnbEH2L5rJeHPs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select your preffered keyboard and click Next

<figure><img src="/files/VlunD6fIh9ncCcgcSxWz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select "Install Windows Server" and click Next

<figure><img src="/files/mdjEEn37fye8tp328Vse" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 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).

<figure><img src="/files/cK8ULUlBgDljgtu5CZr0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Read and Accept/Decline terms

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

<figure><img src="/files/fiXDl0JHNj3FOa9CKq89" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### 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.

<figure><img src="/files/WmW1BzNsQ9eJ4IWruSEE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Ready to install

Whenever you're ready, click "Install".

<figure><img src="/files/3uwwAjfadZqgvIwysPCQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Installation will begin

<figure><img src="/files/KZNzAEaWCpf2KNWwHvkz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Create a Password

<figure><img src="/files/xSsgS8x8Z95iWCo5UGzs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Sign in

<figure><img src="/files/EHbNwBgfMMgY6KWpisX7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Finish Setup

<figure><img src="/files/VQVbWXt63Sdqk7aFzJub" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Close out Server Manager for now

<figure><img src="/files/3qv3TCbgF3YfJvU9FAmK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/hac1iALc2Epuv014Y1jE" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

This is because the installer automatically enters you into the Evaluation Version.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Switch to full version instead of evaluation

1. Run CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/ZEzHVab2aAfMymouM6o1" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

2. Convert your version:
3. 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).

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows Server 2025" %}

#### Server 2025 Standard:

```
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:TVRH6-WHNXV-R9WG3-9XRFY-MY832 /AcceptEula
```

#### Server 2025 Datacenter:

```
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:D764K-2NDRG-47T6Q-P8T8W-YP6DF /AcceptEula
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows Server 2022" %}

#### Server 2022 Standard:

```
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /AcceptEula
```

#### Server 2022 Datacenter:

```
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33 /AcceptEula
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

4. Paste the command you copied into Command Prompt:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/f3bWZSFki2cELoXWS5MO" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

5. If asked to restart now after it's done adding packages, type "y" for yes.
6. After restart, you will notice the Evaluation notification watermark is now gone:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/SFDy3WAyuqEqi78MdnZ2" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/lcMvo7vE0AZxefXmoLZp" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Activate

{% hint style="info" %}
The steps below show you how to activate through settings, if you wish to activate through Command Prompt (CMD), please open CMD and type the commands below. Please replace "YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY-HERE" with your purchased product key.

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

{% endhint %}

1. Search for activation settings and open it:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/X0nldNkdGEF5j2ra6i1w" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/kGiMFKIe58xwoD3hMWgn" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

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

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/2bSdB3cxF6LlDKTKdn71" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

4. Click "Activate":

<figure><img src="/files/8378M21lSrSY85Q9SzcS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enjoy your activated copy of Windows Server!

<figure><img src="/files/hB4AGxvAdeRaJxiPPGoZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://deploykey.gitbook.io/deploykey-docs/windows-server-keys/install-windows-server-from-usb-drive/desktop-experience-step-by-step.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.