How To Install Server 2016 In Virtualbox

Set Up Your Lab: How to Install Windows Server 2016 in VirtualBox (Step-by-Step Guide)

Introduction: Building Your Home Server Lab

Welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

If you’re looking to master network administration, practice Active Directory, or simply test enterprise features without buying expensive hardware, setting up a virtual lab is the perfect solution. Windows Server 2016 remains a robust and foundational operating system in many professional environments, and VirtualBox provides the free, open-source hypervisor needed to run it right on your desktop.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process—from downloading the evaluation software to successfully running your first boot of Windows Server 2016 inside Oracle VM VirtualBox. Even though the concept seems advanced, we break it down into easy, actionable steps. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Acquiring the Windows Server 2016 Trial ISO

Before we can build our server, we need the installation media. Microsoft offers a free evaluation version that is fully functional for 180 days—perfect for your learning environment.

1. Locate the Microsoft Evaluation Center: Search online for “Windows Server 2016 Evaluation.” Always download directly from the official Microsoft site.
2. Select the Download Type: Ensure you choose the ISO file option for the download. (This is the virtual disk image we will “mount” in VirtualBox.)
3. Complete the Form: You may need to fill out a short registration form before the download link is provided.
4. Download and Save: The Windows Server 2016 ISO file is large, so give it time to download completely. Keep track of where you save the file, as we’ll need it shortly!

Step 2: Preparing Your Environment in VirtualBox

Oracle VM VirtualBox is a “hosted hypervisor,” meaning it runs inside your existing operating system (like Windows or macOS). Follow these steps to create a new virtual machine (VM) specifically configured for Server 2016.

1. Open VirtualBox Manager and click the New button.
2. Name and Operating System:
   • Name: Give your VM a descriptive name, like Windows Server 2016 Lab.
   • Machine Folder: Choose where the VM files will be stored.
   • Type: Select Microsoft Windows.
   • Version: Select Windows 2016 (64-bit).
3. Memory (RAM) Allocation: Windows Server requires sufficient resources to run smoothly.
   • Allocate at least 2048 MB (2 GB) of RAM, but we highly recommend 4096 MB (4 GB) if your host computer can spare it.
4. Hard Disk Creation:
   • Select Create a virtual hard disk now and click Create.
   • Hard Disk File Type: Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
   • Storage on Physical Hard Disk: Select Dynamically allocated. This is best practice for labs, as the disk only grows to the size of the data stored, saving space.
   • File Location and Size: Set the size to a minimum of 50 GB.

Once these steps are complete, your new VM shell will appear in the VirtualBox Manager list.

Step 3: Mounting the ISO and Starting the Install

The VM is built, but it doesn’t know what to install yet. We need to tell it to use the ISO file we downloaded earlier as its optical drive.

1. Select your new VM (e.g., Windows Server 2016 Lab) and click Settings.
2. Navigate to the Storage category on the left menu.
3. Under the Storage Tree, find the Controller: IDE section and select the Empty optical drive icon (often labeled as a CD/DVD drive).
4. On the right-hand panel, click the small disc icon next to “Optical Drive.”
5. Choose Choose a virtual optical disc file…
6. Navigate to the location where you saved the Windows Server 2016 ISO file and select it.
7. Click OK to close the settings window.

Your VM is now ready to boot from the installation media! Select the VM and click Start.

Step 4: The Windows Server 2016 Installation Walkthrough

As soon as the VM boots, it will load the Windows installer setup, just like installing a physical copy of Windows.

1. Language and Keyboard: Confirm your desired language, time, and keyboard layout, then click Next.
2. Click Install now.
3. Product Key: Since we are using the evaluation version, you can click I don’t have a product key.
4. Select the Operating System Edition: This is a crucial choice!
   • Select Windows Server 2016 Standard (Desktop Experience).
   • Pro Tip: The “Desktop Experience” version includes the full graphical user interface (GUI), which is much easier for beginners and lab work. The version without “Desktop Experience” is Server Core, which is command-line only.
5. License Terms: Check the box to accept the Microsoft license terms, then click Next.
6. Installation Type:
   • Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
7. Disk Allocation: You will see the unallocated space (the 50 GB virtual drive you created). Select this space and click Next. Windows Server will automatically create the necessary partitions and begin copying files.
8. Waiting Game: The installation will take 15–30 minutes, depending on your computer’s speed. The VM will reboot several times during this process.
9. Set Administrator Password: After the final reboot, you will be prompted to create a password for the built-in Administrator account. Choose a strong password you can remember, confirm it, and click Finish.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows Server 2016 in VirtualBox.

Conclusion: Power Up Your Server Knowledge!

You now have a fully functional virtualized server ready to be configured. This is the foundation for countless learning opportunities—whether you want to explore DHCP, DNS, create user accounts with Active Directory, or set up a web server.

Don’t stop here! Take the time to practice and break things—that’s what a lab environment is for.

If this tutorial helped you get your lab up and running, please give the original video a like! Don’t forget to subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials and hit that notification bell so you never miss another step-by-step tech guide. Happy virtualizing!