How to clean install Windows Server 2022

On Windows Server 2022, you can perform a clean installation in at least two ways. You can install the desktop experience that allows you to use the mouse and keyboard like on the desktop version of the operating system. Or you can install the core experience, which only installs the Windows Server components without the graphical user interface (GUI). When you use the core experience, you will (for the most part) be managing the operating system with PowerShell (or Command Prompt) commands.

The advantage of the desktop experience is that you can manage the operating system and services through a graphical user interface and you can install traditional desktop apps. However, the experience will require more system resources.

On the other hand, the core experience only offers a PowerShell console without any graphical elements. Although you cannot install graphical apps, it’s the installation that requires the least amount of resources. However, you can launch some GUI elements, such as Control Panel settings, Registry, and others. Usually, you would use the core experience on low-end hardware or when you need to set up a service that doesn’t require the GUI, such as configuring the server as a router.

This guide will teach you the steps to perform a clean of Windows Server 2022 with the desktop or core experience.

• System requirements for Windows Server 2022
• Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB media
• Clean install Windows Server 2022 with Desktop Experience
• Clean install Windows Server 2022 with Server Core Experience

System requirements for Windows Server 2022

These are the minimum system requirement to install the server version of Windows:

• CPU: 1.4GHz or faster (64-bit) with support for NX and DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, PrefetchW, and Second Level Address Translation (EPT or NPT).
• Memory: 512MB for Server Core, 2GB for Desktop Experience. Also, ECC (Error Correcting Code) type or similar technology.
• Storage: 32GB or higher. You cannot use ATA/PATA/IDE/EIDE for boot, page, or data hard drives.
• Network: 1Gbps network card.
• Graphics: Super VGA (1024 x 768) or higher-resolution

Other requirements include UEFI 2.3.1c or better and firmware with secure boot. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to use features like BitLocker.

Create Windows Server 2022 bootable USB media 

To create a bootable USB with Rufus for Windows Server 2022, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Server 2022 download page.

2. Click the “Download the ISO” link.

   

3. Use the form to register and download the ISO file.

4. Click the Download now button.

   

5. Click the “ISO downloads 64-bit edition” option to download the file.

   

6. Open Rufus website.

7. Under the “Download” section, click the link to download the latest version.

8. Double-click the rufus.3.xx.exe file to launch the tool.

9. Under the “Device” section, select the USB flash drive to create the bootable media.

10. Under the “Boot selection” section, select the “Disk or ISO image” option.

11. Click the Select button.

    

12. Select the “Windows Server 2022 ISO” file.

13. Click the Open button.

14. Under the “Image option” setting, select the “Standard Windows Installation” option.

15. Under the “Partition scheme” section, select the GPT option.

16. Under the “Target system” section, select the UEFI (non-CSM) option.

17. Under the “Volume label” section, confirm a name for the USB flash drive. For example, “Server 2022 USB.”

18. Use the default settings for the File system and Cluster size options.

19. Check the Quick format option.

20. Check the “Create extended label and icon files” option.

21. Click the Start button.

22. Clear the “Customize Windows installation” settings.

23. Click the OK button.

24. Click the OK button again.

Once you complete the steps, you can proceed to install the server version of Windows on the device.

Clean install Windows Server 2022 with Desktop Experience 

To perform a clean install of Windows Server 2022 from USB, use these steps:

1. Start server with the Windows Server 2022 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Click the Next button.

   

4. Click the Install now button.

   

5. Select the “Windows Server 2022 Standard Evaluation (Dekstop Experience)” option.

   Quick note: After the installation, you cannot change from “Core” to “Desktop Experience” or vice versa, so choose this option carefully. If you select the “Core” experience and then you have to switch to the “Desktop Experience,” then you will need to reinstall the operating system.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Check the “I accept the Microsoft Software License Terms” option.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.

   

10. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows Server 2022.

    Quick tip: If this server has another operating system, select each partition and click the “Delete” button, and then select the unallocated space to continue with the installation.

11. Click the Next button.

12. Confirm a complex password for the default Administrator account.

    

13. Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the Windows Server setup will continue with the installation. You will need to use the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” keyboard shortcut to open the Lock screen and sign in.

Clean install Windows Server 2022 with Server Core Experience

To install the core experience of Windows Server 2022, use these steps:

1. Start server with the Windows Server 2022 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Click the Next button.

   

4. Click the Install now button.

   

5. Select the “Windows Server 2022 Standard Evaluation” option.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Check the “I accept the Microsoft Software License Terms” option.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option.

   

10. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows Server 2022 (Core).

11. Click the Next button.

12. Click the OK option on Command Prompt.

13. Confirm the password for the default Administrator account.

    

14. Click the OK button again.

After you complete the steps, the Windows Server setup will continue and then you will be presented with the core experience, which includes a Command Prompt console with a welcome page to perform basic actions, such as configure the server settings, check for updates, change the network settings, and more.