Desktop Experience Step-by-Step

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.

1

Insert USB Drive into computer/server

2

Click here to ask ChatGPT for specific instructions on booting from a USB using your computer or motherboard's model number

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).

3

Select your preferred language and click Next

4

Select your preffered keyboard and click Next

5

Select "Install Windows Server" and click Next

6

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).

7

Read and Accept/Decline terms

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

8

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.

9

Ready to install

Whenever you're ready, click "Install".

10

Installation will begin

11

Create a Password

12

Sign in

13

Finish Setup

14

Close out Server Manager for now

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

This is because the installer automatically enters you into the Evaluation Version.

15

Switch to full version instead of evaluation

1. Run CMD (Command Prompt) as administrator:

1. Convert your version:

2. 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).

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

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

1. Paste the command you copied into Command Prompt:

1. If asked to restart now after it's done adding packages, type "y" for yes.

2. After restart, you will notice the Evaluation notification watermark is now gone:

16

Activate

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

1. Search for activation settings and open it:

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

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

1. Click "Activate":

17

Enjoy your activated copy of Windows Server!