How to Install Windows Server 2022 from Bootable USB

• Part #1: Download Server 2022 ISO file
• Part #2 -1: Burn server 2022 iso file to usb and make bootable usb using Rufus
• Part #2 -2: Burn server 2022 iso to usb using diskpart cmd
• Part #3: Install Server 2022 from USB

Part1: Download Microsoft Server 2022 ISO

Download server 2022 iso 64bt from Microsoft official site

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/download-windows-server-2022

(64bit available, several languages are available )

Question: Is there hyper-v server 2022 iso available for download?

Microsoft has declared that the hyper-v server 2019 would be the last edition and discontinued in the year 2029, so there is no hyper-v server 2022 iso from Microsoft.

Option: Server 2022 Azure Stack HCI is recommended by Microsoft as the successor of hyper-v server 2019 and it needs a $10 monthly subscription fee.

Download sql server 2022 iso: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/download-sql-server-2022

Download download dell server 2022 iso

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/microsoft-windows-server-2022/win2022_ig_pub/introduction?guid=guid-6633e26f-f70e-4a84-b9f5-9bc445da3fe5&lang=en-us

Part2: Burn iso file to bootable usb using Rufus

This following video shows how to burn iso file server 2022 to a bootable usb using Rufus, a professional bootable usb creator.

To burn the Windows Server 2022 ISO file onto a bootable USB using Rufus, you can follow these simple steps:

• Download Rufus: Go to the Rufus website (https://rufus.ie/) and download the latest version of Rufus that is compatible with your operating system.
• Obtain the Windows Server 2022 ISO file: Make sure you have the ISO file for Windows Server 2022. You can download it from the Microsoft website or obtain it from a trusted source.
• Connect the USB drive: Plug in your USB flash drive into an available USB port on your computer. Ensure that the USB drive does not contain any important data, as it will be formatted during the process.
• Run Rufus: Launch Rufus by double-clicking on the downloaded executable file.
• Select the USB drive: In Rufus, under the "Device" section, select the USB drive you connected from the dropdown menu.
• Choose the partition scheme and target system type: Under the "Partition scheme" section, select "MBR" if your computer uses BIOS, or "GPT" if it uses UEFI. For the "Target system" option, select either "BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)" or "UEFI" depending on your computer's firmware.
• Select the Windows Server 2022 ISO: Click on the "Select" button next to the "Boot selection" field, and navigate to the location where you saved the Windows Server 2022 ISO file. Select the ISO file and click "Open".
• Configure Rufus settings: Leave the other settings in Rufus as default unless you have specific requirements. However, you may want to change the "Volume label" field to give a name to your bootable USB if desired.
• Start the process: Once you have verified the settings, click on the "Start" button to begin the process. Rufus will display a warning about data loss on the USB drive. Make sure you have backed up any important data on the USB drive before proceeding. Click "OK" to continue.
• Wait for the process to complete: Rufus will format the USB drive, copy the Windows Server 2022 ISO contents, and make it bootable. The process may take a few minutes, so be patient.
• Eject the USB drive: Once Rufus completes the process, you will see a "READY" message. Safely eject the USB drive from your computer.

Now you have successfully burned the Windows Server 2022 ISO file onto a bootable USB drive using Rufus. You can use this USB drive to install or boot Windows Server 2022 on a compatible computer.

Part2-2: Burn server 2022 to usb using diskpart cmd (Option)

Preparations: A usb larger than 8GB, iso already downloaded

Note: Please backup data from the usb to somewhere else to avoid data erasing.

Step1. Type 'cmd in search column, or press Win+X or right click Start icon on your computer, run cmd and open with admin privileges.

Step2. Type 'diskpart' and press enter and then use the following commands.

• list disk
• select disk x (“x” is the number of the USB)
• clean
• create partition primary
• format fs=ntfs quick
• active
• exit

Although you exit the Diskpart command, please don’t close CMD window. Find the Windows Server setup ISO in your computer and double-click on it to mount the ISO.

Type the following commands, or copy the following commands(the correct drive letter needed), and hit “Enter” in the CMD:
• xcopy D:\*.* E: /s/e/f (D is the ISO image drive, and drive E: is the USB drive letter)
• D:\Boot\Bootsect /NT60 E: /force /mbr

Part3: Install Server 2022 from USB

The video shows how to install Windows Server 2022 from usb.

To install Windows Server 2022 from a USB drive, you can follow these steps:

• Insert the bootable USB: Connect the USB drive containing the Windows Server 2022 installation files to a USB port on your target server.
• Start the server: Power on or restart the server and access the server's BIOS or UEFI settings. The key to access the BIOS/UEFI settings may vary depending on the manufacturer (common keys include F2, F10, Delete, or Esc). Consult your server's documentation or look for on-screen prompts during boot to determine the correct key.
• Configure the boot order: Within the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the "Boot" or "Boot Order" section. Set the USB drive as the primary boot device or prioritize it above other devices. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Start the Windows Server installation: The server will now boot from the USB drive and begin the Windows Server 2022 installation process. Wait for the Windows Setup screen to appear.
• Select language, time, and keyboard options: Choose your preferred language, time format, and keyboard layout from the available options. Click "Next" to proceed.
• Click "Install Now": On the next screen, click on the "Install Now" button to start the installation process.
• Enter the product key (if required): If prompted, enter your Windows Server 2022 product key. Click "Next" to continue. If you don't have a product key, you can still proceed with a trial version by skipping this step.
• Accept the license terms: Read the license terms and conditions and check the box to accept them. Click "Next" to proceed.
• Choose the installation type: Select the type of installation you prefer. You can choose either "Upgrade" if you are upgrading from a previous version of Windows Server or "Custom" to perform a clean installation. Select "Custom" for a fresh installation.
• Select the installation location: If you selected "Custom" in the previous step, you'll be prompted to select the disk and partition where you want to install Windows Server 2022. Choose the desired disk and partition and click "Next" to continue. If needed, you can create, format, or delete partitions on this screen.
• Wait for the installation: The server will now install Windows Server 2022 onto the selected disk and partition. This process may take some time, so be patient.
• Set up the initial configuration: After the installation is complete, the server will restart. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the initial configuration, including choosing the region, entering a password for the administrator account, and setting up network settings.
• Complete the setup: Once the initial configuration is complete, Windows Server 2022 will start and you will be logged in to the desktop. Proceed with any additional configuration or customization as needed.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Windows Server 2022 from a USB drive. You can now start using and configuring the server according to your requirements.

Resource: How to create Windows bootable usb for UEFI based systems

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000146469/how-to-create-windows-8-windows-server-2012-bootable-usb-media-for-deployment-on-uefi-based-systems?lwp=rt

Possible error and fixes:

Windows cannot be installed to this disk 0 partition 1

1. Press and hold Shift+F10 to bring up the Command Prompt window.
2. Type diskpart, press Enter to execute.
3. Enter DISKPART command mode and enter list disk to list the current disk information.
4. To convert disk 0 format, type select disk 0, enter, type clean, and delete the disk partition. 
5. Enter convert mbr, enter to convert the disk to MBR, enter convert gpt to GPT. 
6. Finally, type exit to exit the command prompt and return to the installation screen to continue installing the system.
7. Then click New Disk to install the driver.

Also read: how to install server 2022

How to resize or move partitions on server 2022

• Deleting recovery partition for server 2022?
• Move partition without losing data on server 2022?
• Resize partition without losing data on server 2022?

You may use this following tool that can help do a lot of disk management safely without losing data including changing the size of disk partitions, moving recovery partition, deleting the recovery partition etc.

Here is a video that shows how to move partitions safely.