How to Install Windows Server 2016 on VMware Workstation 12.5

Microsoft has release Windows Server 2016 final. you can download and install it's evaluation version. In this Post I am going to show you the steps to install Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Evaluation on VMware Workstation 12.5.

Following flavors of Windows Server 2016 are available for evaluation.

1. Windows Server 2016
2. Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016
3. Microsoft Server 2016 Essentials

You can download any of these flavors from this link. I have downloaded Windows Server 2016. Lets start with VMware Workstation 12.5.

Open VMware workstation and click File-> New Virtual Machine-> Custom (Advanced) and click Next.

On next Screen leave the hardware compatibility to default (Workstation 12.0) and click Next.

On Very Next screen select ( I will install the operating system later) and click Next

Under Guest Operating system Select Microsoft Windows and Under Version Select Windows Server 2016 and Click Next.

Set the virtual machine name and location where you want to save the VM.

Select Firmware Type to BIOS. and click Next.

Set the number/number of cores per processor (at least 2 cores required) and click Next.

Set the Memory as per your server. I am going to set 4GB  and click next.

Select Network Type on the Next screen and click Next. I am going to use Bridged Networking.
On Next screen select I/O Type I am going with the default option as follows.

On Next screen go with recommended settings SCSI (Recommended) and Click Next.
Select the Disk and click Next.

Set the disk capacity and click Next.

Set the disk file name and click next.

Review your VM Settings and Click Finish.

Click Edit Virtual Machine Settings and click on CD/DVD SATA and set the path for downloaded Windows Server 2016 ISO file. Make Sure that Connect at Power on is selected under Device status. Click OK.

Power On the Virtual Machine and you will see following. Click Next.

Click Install Now.

Select the Version you want to install. I am going to install Windows Server 2016 Standard Desktop Experience and click Next.

On Next Screen Accept the License Terms and click Next. Click Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)

On next screen set where you want to install the windows and click Next.

Setup will start installing on next screen.

After reboot, you will see following. Set the Password for Administrator and click Finish.

Send Ctrl+Alt+Del and you will see login prompt. Enter your password and login.

you will see Windows Server 2016 Standard Up and running.

Install VMware tools for better performance.

You may configure your server as per your requirements. That's all for this post. Next we will configure Active directory on this Server.

Cheers -:)