This guide will demonstrate the steps to install a copy of Windows Server 2019 in VirtualBox. For those that may not know, VirtualBox is software that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single device using virtual machines. We will be installing and running Server 2019 so it can run in a virtual machine on our host computer. This tutorial assumes you already have VirtualBox installed on your computer.
Download a copy of Windows Server 2019
You will need to navigate to this page at Microsoft to download an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2019: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2019.
Under the section titled “Please select your experience”, choose ISO. Complete the form to continue with your download. You will also need to select your language.
VirtualBox Virtual Machine Setup
Launch VirtualBox. You will need to create a new virtual machine (VM) by clicking Machine > New. I chose a name and made sure Version is Other Windows (64-bit).
I chose these settings while clicking next through this process:
- Memory Size = 2048 MB
- Hard Disk > Create a virtual hard disk now
- Hard disk file type = VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)
- Storage on physical hard disk = Dynamically allocated
- File location and size, leave at 20 GB and choose the folder to create the VDI file in
VirtualBox VM Settings
Once you have stepped through the VM creation process, the newly created VM will show in the list in VirtualBox. Click on it (mine is named Windows Server 2019) and then select Settings.
Set Processor to 2 CPUs.
Set Video Memory to 128 MB.
Select Bridged Adapter under Network settings.
Click OK to save and exit the settings menu. With Windows Server 2019 selected in the list, click Start to launch the VM. Select the ISO file you downloaded.
Windows Installation
Once you have launched the server virtual machine with the ISO you selected, you will now need to step through the Windows installation process. For the next couple steps I selected English for my language, then clicked Next and then Install Now.
I chose Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience) as my version to install.
Accept the license terms. Then select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
Make sure Drive 0 Unallocated Space shows 20 GB. Proceed with the installation. Windows Server 2019 will run through the installation process, including a reboot.
Once the installation has run its course, and a reboot has occurred, you will be presented with a screen showing Customize Settings. Choose a password and then click finish.
You should now be presented with a Windows logon screen. You will need to send Ctrl-Alt-Delete command to unlock the screen. Since the server is running in a virtual machine, you will not be able to press the key combination using your keyboard. You have to select Input>Keyboard>Insert Ctrl-Alt-Del.
You can now enter your password to log in to your new server. That should be it! Windows Server 2019 is installed via VirtualBox and can be run inside a virtual machine on your host computer. You may now complete further server configuration.