Installing and Evaluating Microsoft Windows Server 2022 on VMware Platform

In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of installing and evaluating Microsoft Windows Server 2022 on a VMware platform with ESXi Version 7. This new server operating system was recently announced by Microsoft and is available for evaluation in the Microsoft Evaluation Center since March 2021.

Multi-Layer Security and Hybrid Capabilities with Azure

Windows Server 2022 brings several new features and improvements, including multi-layer security and hybrid capabilities with Azure. The new operating system provides flexible platforms to modernize applications with containers, which is a significant advantage for businesses looking to move their workloads to the cloud.

Choosing the Right Version

Before we begin the installation process, it’s essential to choose the right version of Windows Server 2022 based on your usage. Microsoft offers several editions of the operating system, including Datacenter, Standard, and Core. The Datacenter edition is ideal for large organizations with complex infrastructure and multiple servers, while the Standard edition is suitable for most businesses with basic to moderate infrastructure needs. The Core edition is designed for small businesses with minimal infrastructure requirements.

Booting with Server 2022 ISO

To start with, we have created a VM and booted it with the Windows Server 2022 ISO file. Once the boot process is complete, we are presented with the setup screen. Here, we need to choose the language, time, and currency format before proceeding with the installation.

Selecting Installation Type

The next step is to select the type of installation we want to perform. We have two options: “Custom” and “Upgrade.” If you’re installing Windows Server 2022 for the first time, select “Custom” to perform a clean install. If you’re upgrading from a previous version of Windows Server, select “Upgrade” to maintain your existing settings and data.

Selecting Edition

After selecting the installation type, we need to choose the edition of Windows Server 2022 we want to install. As we mentioned earlier, we are choosing the Datacenter edition for evaluation purposes. Once you select the edition, you’ll be prompted to enter your product key.

Proceeding with Installation

After entering the product key, the installation process will begin. The setup wizard will guide you through the installation process, which includes several steps such as configuring network settings, setting up user accounts, and installing updates.

Final Thoughts

In this blog post, we have successfully installed and evaluated Microsoft Windows Server 2022 on a VMware platform with ESXi Version 7. The new operating system offers several new features and improvements, including multi-layer security and hybrid capabilities with Azure. When choosing the right version of Windows Server 2022, it’s essential to consider your usage requirements and select the appropriate edition based on your needs. We hope this blog post has provided you with a comprehensive guide to installing and evaluating Windows Server 2022 on a VMware platform.