You install Windows Server from an ISO image through the VNC Console. Two things make the difference between success and frustration: the driver disk and the correct operating system type.
We provide evaluation versions for testing only. If you want to use the server beyond the evaluation period, you have to license it yourself according to Microsoft's requirements.
When you create the virtual machine
- Go to the ISO Images tab and select the image you want — Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 are available as evaluation versions.
- Set Secondary ISO to the VirtIO driver disk.
- Set Os Type to the matching Windows version.
- As parameters we recommend at least 2 vCPU, 2048 MB RAM and 40 GB boot disk.
Without the driver disk, Windows Setup does not find any hard disk. It then shows an empty drive list. In that case, use Load driver in Setup to load the drivers from the second drive — or create the VM again with the secondary ISO set.
Network
Do not connect Windows directly to the internet without protection. Assign a private network to the VM and put a firewall in front of it — either with the firewall in the Client Area or with a firewall VM of your own.
Installation
Open the VNC Console and run Windows Setup as usual. After the installation:
- Install the missing drivers from the VirtIO disk, in particular for the network interface.
- Enable Remote Desktop only once the firewall rules are in place.
Do not use Start → Shut down to power it off. The machines run under high availability and would start up again shortly afterward. Shut the server down with Shut Down in the Client Area — see Managing a virtual machine. A restart from within Windows is not affected.
