Step-By-Step Procedure To Install Windows Server 2016 On VMWare Workstation

We will show you how to Install Windows Server 2016 on VMWare Workstation. You can use this method to run Windows Server 2016 on your personal computer and practice new features and configurations before implementing them in a production environment. Windows Server 2016 comes with a lot of improvements and new features. And like always, Microsoft has made available different editions of Windows Server 2016 for different users and scenarios. In this article, we will focus on the Datacenter edition, which is the most feature-rich edition of Windows Server 2016.

If you want to Install Windows Server 2016 on VMWare Workstation, then follow this guide. We will show you a step-by-step process to Install Windows Server 2016 on the VMWare Workstation. For your note: this guide is also applicable for installing other versions of Windows Servers and Desktops on VMWare Workstation.

Basic Requirments To Install Windows Server 2016 On VMWare Workstation?

Before we start with the installation process, let’s have a look at the system requirements to install Windows Server 2016 on VMWare Workstation.

#1. Host Computer to run VMWare Workstation:

The Minimum computational resources needed to run Windows Server 2016 on VMWare Workstation:

#2. Download Windows Server 2016 ISO File:

The first thing you need is the ISO file of Windows Server 2016. You can download it from the official website of Microsoft. Just go to this link and select the edition you want to download. In our case, we will be downloaded the Datacenter edition because it is the most feature-rich edition.

#3. Install VMWare Workstation 15 Pro:

After downloading the ISO file, the next thing you need is virtualization software. In this article, we will be using VMWare Workstation. You can also use other virtualization software like VirtualBox, Hyper-V, etc.

Just go to the official website of VMWare and download the latest version of VMWare Workstation Pro. Install it on your computer and launch it.

Now that we know the system requirements let’s start with the installation process.

How To Install Windows Server 2016 On VMWare Workstation?

Step 1. Open the new Virtual Machine Wizard

1. Fire up VMWare Workstation
2. Go to File -> New Virtual Machine or Ctrl + N

Step 2. Select Custom Configuration Wizard

Select Custom Wizard and click Next

Step 3. Choose VM Hardware Compatibility

1. Choose the compatible hardware from the drop-down
2. Click Next

Step 4. Select to install operating system later option

1. Select to install operating system later option
2. Click Next

Step 5. Select the guest operating system

1. Select Windows 10 since we don’t have the windows server option included yet.
2. Click Next

Step 6. Virtual Machine Name & Location

1. Give the Virtual Machine Name & Location
2. Click Next

Step 7. Select Firmware Type

1. You can select either BIOS or UEFI. Note: Only new boards supports UEFI.
2. Click Next

Step 8. Allocate the number of processors you need

1. Allocate how many processors you need. This depends on your host machine’s hardware.
2. Click Next

Step 9. Set the Memory for the virtual machine

1. This depends on your host machine’s hardware. You should leave the memory to run the host machine without hazels.
2. Click Next

Step 10. Select Network Connection settings for the VM

1. Four options are available to select. Please read and select your desired network setting.
2. Click Next

Step 11. Choose the appropriate storage IO controller

1. Choose the appropriate storage IO controller
2. Click Next

Step 12. Select the disk type for the VM

1. Select the available disk type on your host machine.
2. Click Next

Step 13. Select the virtual disk for the VM

1. Select the virtual disk for the VM if not create a new disk
2. Click Next

Step 14. Assign the disk size for the VM

You can select a single or split virtual disk option. Selecting a single disk will increase the performance. But, if you want to move the disk to a different location you can select the split virtual disk.

Allocate the disk size and click next.

Step 15. Give the path where you want to keep the VM disk

1. Give the location where you want to save the disk.
2. Click Next.

Step 16. Create the VM

1. VM settings are ready to create the VM.
2. Click Finish

Step 17. Load the ISO image to boot the VM

1. Select use ISO image file
2. Browse the ISO image
3. Click Ok

Step 18. All set to power on the VM

Step 19. First boot screen of Windows Server 2016

Step 20. Windows Server 2016 installation wizard

The installation wizard will appear in a couple of seconds after the boot
1. Select the language time and keyboard settings
2. Click Next

Step 21. Install Windows Server 2016

Click on Install Now

Step 22. Select The Operating System You Want To Install

1. Select the version you want to install
2. Click Next

Step 23. Accept the License Agreement

Step 24. Select installation method

Select custom installation if you are doing a fresh installation. Or, select upgrade if you are upgrading your older Windows Server to Windows Server 2016.