Dashboard
Level 1
0 / 100 XP

Installing Windows Server 2025 Desktop Experience

In this lab, you will practice and configure the Windows Server 2025 Desktop Experience, gaining hands-on experience with the latest features and enhancements to optimize server performance and usability.

Session duration: 60 minutes· Typical launch: ~2 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Lab level

Lab VMs

1

1 Hyper-V

XP Reward

300 XP

On completion

Virtual machines

Lab VMs

Hyper-V

Virtual Machine

Username / Password

user / password123

Connection type

In-browser RDP (nested)

CPU / RAM

—

Lab instructions

Follow the steps below to complete the lab.

In this lab you'll install Windows Server 2025 Desktop Experience!

To begin, you need to connect to the VM.

  1. Click the Open RDP in the browser button to the right.

Once you've connected, you should see the Microsoft Hyper-V UEFI screen. There is a Restart now button, but it won't work. Don't worry we'll guide you through the next steps.

  1. Click the Continue button down below in the instructions panel.

Now, you need to launch the Windows Installer.

You'll need to restart the VM and Press Enter to Boot from Disk Media

  1. Click the Restart VM button below:

[restart-vm tab=1]

  1. Click into the VM window, and repetedly press Enter to boot from the installation media.

NOTE: If you miss the prompt, no worries. Just click the Restart VM button above and try again.

  1. Once you have booted from the installation media, click Continue button.

Here you will select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout, and other options.

  1. Lets choose from the drop down English (United States):

    Language to install English (United States)

    Time and currency format English (United States)

  2. Click Next on the installation window.

  3. Lets choose the Keyboard layout US:

    Keyboard or input method: US

  4. Click Next on the installation window.

  5. On the Select Setup option choose: Install Windows Server

  6. Check the I agree everything will be deleted inlcuding files, apps, and settings

  7. Click Next on the installation window.

  8. Click Continue button down below out of Windows.

Choose the appropriate Windows Server 2025 edition (Standard or Datacenter), ensuring you select Desktop Experience.

  1. On the Select Image choose:

Windows Server 2025 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience)

  1. Click Next on the installation window.

  2. Click Accept on the license terms.

  3. Click Continue button down below to proceed.

Select the target disk, create or modify partitions as needed to begin the installation.

  1. Select location to install Windows Server

    Disc 0 Unallocated Space

  2. Click Next on the installation window.

  3. Click Install on the Ready to Install window.

Now Windows will start installing the Operating System and it will Reboot automatically a couple of times.

  1. Click Continue button down below to proceed.

Set a secure password for the Administrator account, then log in using those credentials to access the system.

  1. After multiple reboots enter a password for the Administrator account: P@ssw0rd
  2. Confirm the password typing it again: P@ssw0rd
  3. Click Finish
  4. Log in to Server pressing the ... on the corner of the window.
  5. Click the Ctrl+Alt+del option to unlock Windows Server.
  6. Enter the password P@ssw0rd and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

NOTE: To hide the menu again click on the ... on the corner of the window.

  1. Click Accept to continue.

    You will be presented with the Windows Server Desktop. Congratulations!

    You can close the pop-up and Server Manager to explore the Desktop Environment.

  2. Click Continue button down below to finish the lab.