This guide will walk you through the process of installing Windows Server 2022 on a VPS of the UNH model.
The provided Windows ISO image does not include a built-in license key. As a result, some system functionality may be limited, including automatic session termination or regular activation reminders.
To ensure stable operation of the OS, it is recommended to do one of the following:
- Activate the system using your own license key;
- Purchase a license by contacting the chat on Unihost.com;
- Request the installation of a trial version of Windows with a license valid for up to 180 days;
- Use a VPS with a pre-installed and activated Windows OS.
Accessing the VPS Management Panel
Once the service is activated, log in to your client area and go to the management section for your VPS.
Here, you will be able to manage the service and perform the OS installation.
Connecting the ISO Image
The first step is to connect the required ISO image.
To do this, go to the “ISO images” section.
Searching and Mounting the Windows Server 2022 ISO Image
In the “ISO images” section, locate the required Windows Server ISO image.
Starting the Installation via Console
After mounting the ISO image, return to the VPS management panel and select “Console”.
This will open a remote management console for your server, allowing you to install Windows Server just like on a physical machine.
Rebooting the VPS
To start the installation from the ISO image, you need to reboot the server.
In the open console, click the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” button to reboot the VPS.
After rebooting, the server will begin loading from the mounted Windows Server ISO image.
Installing Windows Server
After the reboot, the Windows Server installation window will appear.
Follow the standard installation steps.
Selecting the OS Edition
At the edition selection stage, choose the version of Windows Server that meets your requirements.
If you select an edition without Desktop Experience, you will get the Server Core version — a console-only OS without a graphical interface, requiring command-line usage.
For most users, it is recommended to select an edition with Desktop Experience to get the full graphical user interface.
Choosing the Installation Type
At the installation type selection stage, click “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
Selecting a Device and Installing VirtIO Drivers for Input/Output
At the next installation step, you need to select the disk where Windows will be installed.
However, if the list of disks is empty or you don’t see any available drives, it means the Windows installer doesn’t recognize the virtual disk.
To resolve this issue, you need to install VirtIO drivers.
Connecting the ISO with VirtIO Drivers
To install the drivers and continue the Windows installation, you need to connect the VirtIO driver ISO image.
Mounting the VirtIO ISO Image
Now proceed to connect the ISO with the drivers:
- In the VPS management panel, open the “ISO images” section.
- Find the image named virtio-win.iso (or similar).
- Select it and click “Mount”.
Loading the VirtIO Driver in the Windows Installer
After mounting the VirtIO driver ISO:
- Return to the “Console” section.
- In the Windows setup window, click “Load driver”.
In the window that appears, click the “Browse” button.
In the list of devices, select the drive that contains the mounted virtio-win ISO.
You need to navigate through the folders one by one and install the drivers located in the AMD64 directory.
Remounting the Windows Server ISO
After installing the VirtIO driver:
- Go to the VPS management panel.
- Open the “ISO images” section.
- Select the Windows Server 2022 ISO image again and click “Mount”.
This step is necessary to continue the OS installation, as the installer may not find the Windows files after using the VirtIO ISO.
Deleting Old Partitions and Selecting a Disk
Once the disks become visible:
- Delete all existing partitions by selecting each one and clicking “Delete”.
- You will be left with a single unallocated disk — select it.
- Click “Next” to begin installing Windows on the selected disk.
The installer will automatically create the necessary partitions and proceed with the OS installation.
Unmounting the ISO and Finishing the Installation
After the Windows installation is complete:
- Go to the VPS management panel.
- Open the “ISO images” section.
- Unmount the Windows Server ISO image by clicking “Unmount”.
Setting the Administrator Password
After completing the Windows Server installation, the system will prompt you to create a password for the Administrator user.
Enter a strong password that meets Windows security requirements (at least 8 characters, including lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters).
Click Finish to complete the setup.
Enabling RDP Access
By default, RDP access is disabled.
To enable it, go to the Remote Desktop settings and turn it on.
Completion
You now have a fully functional Windows Server operating system running on your VPS from Unihost.
If you have any additional questions about the installation or need assistance, feel free to contact our support team — we’ll be happy to help!