Dec 1, 2021

Installing Windows 2022 Server in a Lab Environment

Download a free and legal copy of Windows Server 2022 (evaluation version) from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022

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Configure the VMware virtual machine, mount the .iso install image, start the VM, and log into the console (outside the scope of this document):

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Select the language:

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Select “Install Now”:

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The Windows 2002 Server Standard Desktop Edition is selected to simplify management in a home lab environment:

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Accept the license:

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Perform a custom install in order to select the appropriate storage settings:

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Select the appropriate disk for installation:

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It takes about 5-10 minutes for the OS to install:

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Still setting up:

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Set the administrator password:

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To access the console in VMware, send ctrl-alt-del from the Settings -> Guest OS -> Send Keys menu:

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First thing, check for system updates in Settings -> Updates & Security -> Windows Update:

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I prefer to manage lab devices from Remote Desktop. From Settings -> System -> Remote Desktop, enable remote desktop:

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Allow Remote Desktop:

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Give the server a meaningful name. From Settings -> System -> About, Rename this PC:

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Restart required after name change:

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Even in a lab environment, it is important to have accurate timestamps for troubleshooting and testing. Set the timezone in Settings -> Time & Language -> Date & Time:

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Try to remote desktop:

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Full desktop:

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Even though this is a lab environment, it’s best practice to to use a non-privileged account for day-to-day administration. Using powershell, create a regular user account:

$Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString
New-LocalUser -Name "jemurray" -Password $Password -FullName "Jason Murray"
Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Remote Desktop Users" -Member jemurray

Example output:

PS C:\Users\Administrator> $Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString
*********
PS C:\Users\Administrator> New-LocalUser -Name "jemurray" -Password $Password -FullName "Jason Murray"

Name     Enabled Description
----     ------- -----------
jemurray True

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Remote Desktop Users" -Member jemurray