Windows Server 2025 - Datacenter Installation Page

Microsoft Server 2025 installation page – Datacenter Retail

Welcome to the Microsoft Server 2025 – Datacenter instruction page. This page contains downloads and steps.

1. Download Microsoft Server 2025

You can download the official installation files directly from Microsoft using this link .

Note: The download includes the Evaluation Edition by default. You can upgrade to the full Datacenter version later. Steps for this are provided further down this page.

2. Create a bootable USB stick (optional)

If you want to install Microsoft Server 2025 on a blank machine, you'll need a bootable USB drive. Use a tool like Rufus for this:

  1. Download Rufus: https://rufus.ie
  2. Launch Rufus and select the ISO you just downloaded.
  3. Insert a USB stick of at least 8 GB and make it bootable.

3. Start installation

  1. Boot your computer from the USB stick or open the ISO in a virtual environment.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. During installation, select Windows Server 2025 Datacenter (Desktop Experience) or a desired variant.

Convert evaluation version to full Server 2025 Datacenter

By default, Windows Server 2025 is installed as the Evaluation Edition. Below are the steps to upgrade to the full Datacenter edition.

1. Check current edition

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command:

DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition

2. View available editions

Run the following command:

DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

For example, you will see:

Target Edition: ServerStandard
Target Edition: ServerDatacenter

3. Convert to full version

Run the command below, replacing XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your product key:

For Datacenter:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

(Optional – Standard):
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

4. Restart server

shutdown -r -t 0

Alternate key (if conversion doesn't work)

For Server Datacenter:
dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /AcceptEula

For Server Standard:
dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /AcceptEula

Note: This key does not activate the server; it only enables the conversion. After the conversion, you will need to enter your own license to activate it.