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Hetzner EX44, Windows 10 on UEFI?
Hello, i order in hetzner server EX44 with i5-13500. I have problem with installing windows 10.
Previous i ordered many i7-4770 and no any problem using method with vkvm & vnc + iso.
With the same method on new server ex44 with i5-13500 i have problem, after installing windows, enabling rdp and rebooting no system boot, only bootloop to bios. When i enter via KVM to server and go to BIOS i cannot select to boot from nvme disk.
Support says it's no booting because no bootable device, and this server support only UEFI and im installing system in LEGACY mode.
How to install via UEFI?
I found something like this:
https://github.com/TheArchivists/InstallWindowsOnHetzner
but no success.
Comments
Client Windows is forbidden by the EULA in datacenters as far as I can remember. Use a server version.
I also tried to install Windows on EX44 but with no luck. This might be helpful.
Support told me that they can make USB stick for me but i need to provide them link to windows server ISO.
Nevermind, this help me, windows 10 working.
https://github.com/TheArchivists/InstallWindowsOnHetzner
How did you make it work?
i followed this https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/comment/3654996/#Comment_3654996
New Hetzner servers have locked BIOSes with hardcoded settings.
Windows boot fails because it installs without UEFI/GPT partitioning that isn't supported by this board because Hetzner completly disabled CSM on these boards.
Windows installs as "Legacy" because Hetzner settings exposes that to Windows installer, but Hetzner disabled CSM so "Legacy" boot doesn't work. Certified Hetzner moment xD
To fix this issue you need to supply alternative BIOS (TianoCore) that is set up in a way that Windows will proceed with UEFI/GPT partitioning. For this style of partitioning CSM won't be needed so Hetzner hardcoded settings won't be an issue.
The good news is that this alternative BIOS is already present in Hetzner Rescue. All you need to do is to add "-bios /usr/share/ovmf/OVMF.fd" to your QEMU command.
Example full QEMU command that I used for new servers (EX44, AX102 etc.):
qemu-system-x86_64 -bios /usr/share/ovmf/OVMF.fd -enable-kvm -smp 6 -m 8192 -boot d -cdrom SW_DVD9_Win_Server_STD_CORE_2022_2108.15_64Bit_English_DC_STD_MLF_X23-31801.ISO -drive file=/dev/nvme0n1,format=raw,media=disk -vnc :1Guide that was linked above will guide you with correct steps
https://github.com/TheArchivists/InstallWindowsOnHetzner
Same issue happens with Hetzner AX102 and solution is the same as for EX44.
On the other hand Hetzner AX41 won't work with UEFI/GPT partitioning with default BIOS settings so be aware that for some machines you DON'T want to use TianoCore and proceed with normal Legacy BIOS installation.
On the other hand if you don't need maximum CPU performance you should think about Linux as host system and Windows on KVM as guest - Linux RAID is superior, you have option for OpenZFS, easier to secure, very easy cloning/rollback.
Windows boot fails because it installs without UEFI/GPT partitioning that isn't supported by this board because Hetzner completly disabled CSM on these boards.
Seems to be confirmed in Hetzner docs: https://docs.hetzner.com/robot/dedicated-server/operating-systems/uefi/
You're Welcome !
https://cdld.nl/blog/install-windows-server-2019-on-a-dedicated-server-hetzner