Skip to main content

​
Windows Server 2016 Installation Guide

This guide walks through the installation and configuration of Windows Server 2016 in VirtualBox, including initial domain setup.

​
Prerequisites

System Requirements
  • VirtualBox 5.2 or later
  • 64-bit processor with virtualization support
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM (512 MB absolute minimum)
  • At least 32 GB disk space
  • Windows Server 2016 ISO image
Refer to the official Windows Server 2016 system requirements for complete details.

​
Creating the Virtual Machine

1

Create New VM

  1. Open VirtualBox and click New
  2. Set Name: Windows2016Server
  3. VirtualBox auto-selects:
    • Type: Microsoft Windows
    • Version: Windows 2016 (64-bit)
2

Allocate Memory

Assign 2048 MB (2 GB) RAM as recommended.
3

Create Virtual Hard Disk

  1. Select Create a virtual hard disk now
  2. Type: VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)
  3. Storage: Dynamically allocated
  4. Size: At least 40 GB
4

Configure Network

Set to NAT for basic connectivity (can be changed later for domain configurations).
5

Attach ISO

  1. Settings → Storage
  2. Select optical drive
  3. Attach Windows Server 2016 ISO

​
Installing Windows Server 2016

1

Boot Installation Media

Start the VM. VirtualBox will boot from the ISO automatically on a new VM.
2

Select Language

Choose installation language, time format, and keyboard.
3

Install Now

Click Install now.
The Repair your computer option is for troubleshooting existing Windows installations.
4

Select Edition

Choose the Windows Server 2016 edition (Standard or Datacenter, with or without Desktop Experience).
Desktop Experience provides a full GUI. Without it, you get Server Core (command-line only).
5

Product Key

  • Enter your product key if available
  • Or select I don’t have a product key to activate later
6

Accept License

Read and accept the license terms.
7

Installation Type

Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
8

Partition Disk

Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows will create necessary partitions automatically.
9

Installation Progress

Wait for files to copy and install. The system will restart automatically.

​
Initial Server Configuration

1

Set Administrator Password

Unlike desktop Windows, the administrator account is pre-defined as:
  • Username: Administrador (or Administrator in English)
  • Password: Set your own (e.g., #admin1s0#)
Server requires complex passwords: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
2

Login

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del (or use VirtualBox’s Input menu) and enter the administrator password.
3

Server Manager

Server Manager launches automatically, showing the configuration wizard.

​
Windows Server Essentials Configuration

If you installed Windows Server 2016 Essentials, a configuration wizard will guide you through domain setup.
1

Welcome Screen

Click through the initial welcome wizard.
2

Set Time and Date

Configure timezone and system time.
Accurate time is critical for Kerberos authentication in domain environments!
3

Configure Company Information

  • Company Name: Your organization name
  • Internal Domain Name: e.g., empresa.local
  • NetBIOS Name: Usually auto-filled
4

Create Network Administrator

Set up the domain administrator account:
  • Username: netadminiso
  • Password: #netadmin1s0#
This account has full control over the domain, separate from the local Administrator account.
5

Update Settings

Select Use recommended settings for automatic updates.
6

Complete Configuration

Wait for the server to complete configuration. This process can take several minutes.
7

Restart

Restart the server when prompted. You must provide a reason:
  • Select Other (Unplanned)
  • Add a comment if desired

​
Configure DNS Forwarding

After creating a domain, the server becomes its own DNS server. To resolve external names, you need to configure DNS forwarders.
1

Open DNS Manager

  1. In Server Manager, click Tools
  2. Select DNS
2

Add Forwarder

  1. Right-click your server name
  2. Select Properties
  3. Go to Forwarders tab
  4. Click Edit
  5. Add a public DNS server: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google)
3

Test Internet Access

Open Internet Explorer and verify you can browse external websites.

​
Next Steps

Your Windows Server 2016 is now configured with:
  • Active Directory Domain Services
  • DNS Server
  • Basic domain infrastructure
You can now:
  • Join client computers to the domain
  • Create user accounts
  • Configure Group Policy
  • Set up file shares
  • Install additional server roles
Default Credentials Summary
  • Local Admin: Administrador / #admin1s0#
  • Domain Admin: netadminiso / #netadmin1s0#

​
Troubleshooting

Ensure DNS forwarders are configured in DNS Manager. Without them, the server can only resolve names within its own domain.
  • Verify network mode is Bridged Adapter or Internal Network
  • Check that both server and client can ping each other
  • Ensure client DNS points to the domain controller
  • Verify firewall settings

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us