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Windows Server 2019 is a powerful operating system designed for use in organizations, businesses, and enterprise-level setups. It offers enhanced security, innovative features, and unmatched performance compared to previous versions of this popular server operating system. To fully benefit from Windows Server 2019, it’s essential to be able to install it on your system. One way to do this is by using VMware. In this article, we’ll discuss how to install Windows Server 2019 VMware.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Installing Windows Server 2019 VMware
Although installing and setting up virtual machines looks complicated, it’s an essential task most IT specialists perform regularly. One of the significant challenges of installing Windows Server 2019 VMware is getting through the various configuration settings correctly. Also, the user interface of VMware might not be intuitive to beginners and may require some extra effort to understand.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you set up Windows Server 2019 on your VMware, ensure you have the following:
- A Windows Server 2019 ISO file
- A VMware workstation player installed on your computer
- A working internet connection to allow VMware to download necessary files during the installation process
- Adequate RAM and disk space on your computer or server to support the virtual machine
Method 1: Installing Windows Server 2019 VMware with an ISO File
First, we’ll discuss how to install Windows Server 2019 using an ISO file in VMware. Follow the steps below:
- Launch the VMware workstation player on your computer
- Click on ‘Create a New Virtual Machine’
- Select ‘Typical’ and click ‘Next’
- Choose ‘I will install the operating system later’ and click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Microsoft Windows’ as Guest operating system and ‘Windows Server 2019 x64’ as version
- Enter the name for the virtual machine and specify the location where it should be stored
- Set up RAM and CPU capacity for the virtual machine and click ‘Next’
- Specify the size for the virtual hard disk and choose to create it as a single file or split it into multiple files
- Once setup is complete, click on ‘Finish’
- After creating the virtual machine, power on the virtual machine, and a dialogue box will open where you can browse and select the ISO file you have downloaded.
- Select the ISO file and click on the ‘Open’ button to mount it to your virtual machine
- Click on ‘Power on the virtual machine’ and wait for the setup to initiate and proceed with the setup process as you would do when installing Windows Server 2019 on a physical machine
- Once the installation is complete, install VMware Tools. This installation gives enhanced performance and better VM management options.
Pros:
- The ISO method is straightforward and can be done with any available ISO file
- The ISO file already contains all the necessary files required to install Windows Server 2019
Cons:
- The size of the ISO file may be large
Method 2: Installing Windows Server 2019 VMware from a USB Drive
If you prefer to use a USB drive, you can follow the below steps:
- Connect the USB drive that contains the Windows Server 2019 ISO file to the host computer
- Launch the VMware Workstation Player on your computer
- Click on ‘Create a New Virtual Machine’
- Choose ‘I will install the operating system later’ and click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Microsoft Windows’ as Guest operating system and ‘Windows Server 2019 x64’ as version
- Enter the name for the virtual machine and specify the location where it should be stored
- Set up RAM and CPU capacity for the virtual machine and click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Use ISO image file’ and browse for the USB drive location containing the ISO file.
- Select the USB and click on the ‘Next’ button
- Specify the size for the virtual hard disk and choose to create it as a single file or split it into multiple files
- Once setup is complete, click on ‘Finish’
- After creating the virtual machine, power on the virtual machine and configure your VM with your preferred settings.
- Select ‘Install Windows Server 2019’
- Configure your storage, time zone, language, network settings and click on next.
- Insert the USB drive that you used to install the ISO file.
- Choose the USB drive in the ‘Where do you want to install Windows?’ dialog box, and click on the ‘Next’ button.
- Now, click on ‘Finish’ when install process complete.
Pros:
- Installing from a USB drive is faster than using an ISO file
- You can easily take the USB drive anywhere else and install the Windows Server 2019 VMware on another computer as well
Cons:
- If the USB drive is lost, then you cannot perform the installation again unless you have a backup
- Creating a bootable USB drive is complicated for beginners
Method 3: Installing Windows Server 2019 VMware from an Image File
If you have a Windows Server 2019 image file, you can follow the following steps:
- Launch the VMware workstation player on your computer
- Click on ‘Create a New Virtual Machine’
- Select ‘I will install the operating system later’ and click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Microsoft Windows’ as Guest operating system and ‘Windows Server 2019 x64’ as version
- Enter the name for the virtual machine and specify the location where it should be stored
- Configure processor, RAM, and disk space for the virtual machine and click ‘Next’
- Select ‘Use an existing virtual disk’ and Browse to your Windows Server 2019 image file location.
- Select the image file and click on the ‘Next’ button
- Electricity on the virtual machine and wait for the setup to begin
- Follow the prompts and proceed as normal until the installation is complete
Pros:
- If you already have a Windows Server 2019 image file, the installation process is straightforward and quicker than the other methods
Cons:
- If you don’t have an image file, then you’ll have to download one or create one yourself, which may be time-consuming
Why Can’t I Install Windows Server 2019 VMware?
Despite following all the methods outlined above, you may experience challenges installing Windows Server 2019 on VMware. Here are a few reasons why this may happen and how to troubleshoot:
- You might not have enough disk space on your computer. Ensure that you have enough available storage space to download and install the Windows Server 2019 virtual machine.
- Incorrect BIOS settings can prevent the virtual machines from running. Ensure that you enable virtualization in BIOS settings
- Invalid or corrupted Windows Server 2019 installation files. Re-download the files and try again.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you install Windows Server 2019 on VMware:
- Ensure that the computer or server where you are installing Windows Server 2019 is compatible with your VMware workstation player.
- Before attempting the installation, make sure you have read all the necessary documentation and guides. This will ensure that you don’t face any surprises during the installation process.
- Ensure that your hardware is well compatible with the virtualization technology.
5 FAQs about Installing Windows Server 2019 VMware
Q1: Is it possible to install Windows Server 2019 on VMware Workstation Player?
A: Yes, you can install Windows Server 2019 using VMware Workstation Player.
Q2: Can I install Windows Server 2019 Virtual Machine on my physical computer?
A: Yes, it is possible to run Windows Server 2019 on your physical computer. However, this may require some configuration changes that can vary depending on your hardware.
Q3: Is it necessary to install VMware tools after completing the Windows Server 2019 installation?
A: Yes, installing VMware tools is necessary to get enhanced performance and VM management options.
Q4: How long does it take to install Windows Server 2019 on VMware using an ISO file?
A: The installation process can take up to thirty minutes to one hour, depending on your system specs and other factors like the size of the ISO file and the configuration of the virtual machine.
Q5: Can I run multiple Windows Server 2019 Virtual Machines on the same VMware?
A: Yes, you can run numerous Windows Server 2019 virtual machines on a VMware environment if your hardware can handle it.
In Conclusion
Windows Server 2019 is an excellent operating system that offers many features and benefits for enterprise-level and professional setups. With VMware, it becomes easy to set up and run virtual machines for your Windows Server 2019 installation. The above methods are straightforward, and you don’t have to be an expert to perform the installations. Use the right method that suits your needs, and be sure to consult all guides and documentation beforehand.
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