All new Registrations are manually reviewed and approved, so a short delay after registration may occur before your account becomes active.
Install Windows Server on any VPS or Dedicated Server without KVM/iLO or IPMI
Hello LowEndTalk! it's been a long time.
After many days of testing and learning, I managed to install Windows Server on my OVH VPS without KVM/iLO or IPMI and just 4GB of RAM, so here is my tutorial (theoretically it should work for all suppliers who provides a LINUX/UBUNTU RESCUE IMAGE)
NOTE: I couldn't find a tutorial on the whole internet that could manage to install windows like this, so I think it's the first one.
(I make customs ISO´s and .gz of Windows Server 2025 | 2022 | 2019 | 2016 | 2012R2 Standard with GUI + VirtIO & Intel Drivers. If you want install another version of Windows you can make your own)
Thanks to BonGuides for "How to Add Drivers into a Windows ISO Installation Image"
TESTED IN OVH VPS (Success ✓) HETZNER VPS (Success ✓) AND ONEPROVIDER (Success?)
DISCLAIMER: The installation of the operating system is successful, the problem is at the time of login.
(This configuration from OneProvider has static IP, I tried with a script for the configuration but it does not work, so I suspect it is a blocking on the port "3389" by OneProvider.)
OVH VPS "VLE-4" ~ 11USD/Mo
4 vCore | 4 GB | 80 GB SSD NVMe | 1 Gbps
ONEPROVIDER ~ 10USD/Mo
Atom C2350 1.7 GHz 2c/2t | 4 GB DDR3 | 1× 250 GB (SSD SATA) | 1 Gbps
HETZNER ~ €3.29/Mo (NO VIRTUALIZATION CPU)
2 vCore | 4 GB | 40 GB SSD NVMe | 1 Gbps @ 20TB
HETZNER ~ €6.30/Mo (NO VIRTUALIZATION CPU)
4 vCore | 8 GB | 80 GB SSD NVMe | 1 Gbps @ 20TB
Let's begin the journey!
- Perform a clean installation of Ubuntu on your VPS/Dedicated Server
- Reboot in "Rescue Mode" and log in with your user and password
sudo -i
In my 2017 tutorial "Install Windows on Dedibox XC SSD 2016 with QEMU" I used the RAM as a disk, but in this case we only have 4GB of RAM so we need more space to locate our ISO, then we will use the machine disk.
- sda or sdb? in my case was /dev/sda
lsblk
cgdisk /dev/sda
DELETE (ALL PARTITIONS) ➤ WRITE ➤ QUITE
Type "reboot" (wait 5 minutes and connect again)
fdisk /dev/sda
type "M" enter protective/hybrid MBR
type "t" change a partition type
Hex code (type L to list all codes): type "7"
"Changed type of partition 'GPT' to 'HPFS/NTFS/exFAT'."
type "w" to save
type "q" to exit
lsblk
sda 8:0 0 238,5G 0 disk
└─sda1 8:1 0 238,5G 0 part
fdisk /dev/sda
type "d" to delete
type "n" to create a new one
type "p" - Primary Partition (firs sector - default)
type "+25G" to create a 25GB partition
- We already have our first partition, now we need a second one where we will download our files
type "n" to create a new one
default-default-default-default
sda 8:0 0 238,5G 0 disk
├─sda1 8:1 0 25G 0 part
└─sda2 8:2 0 213,5G 0 part
type "w" to save the changes
- Now we have our second partition ready, you need to format it and mount it. (Only the second one /dev/sda2)
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2
mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
lsblk
sda 8:0 0 238,5G 0 disk
├─sda1 8:1 0 25G 0 part
└─sda2 8:2 0 213,5G 0 part /mnt
- Download the Windows ISO and VirtIO ISO to /mnt (wiki - PROXMOX)
I make customs ISO´s of Windows Server 2025 | 2022 | 2019 | 2016 | 2012R2 Standard with GUI + VirtIO & Intel Drivers
BACKUP: GOOGLE DRIVE
Windows Server 2012R2
wget -P /mnt https://eu1.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2012R2_x64_VirtIO_Intel.iso
wget -P /mnt https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/latest-virtio/virtio-win.iso
Windows Server 2016
wget -P /mnt https://eu1.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2016_x64_VirtIO_Intel.iso
wget -P /mnt https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/latest-virtio/virtio-win.iso
Windows Server 2019
wget -P /mnt https://eu1.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2019_x64_VirtIO_Intel.iso
wget -P /mnt https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/latest-virtio/virtio-win.iso
Windows Server 2022
wget -P /mnt https://eu1.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2022_x64_VirtIO_Intel.iso
wget -P /mnt https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/latest-virtio/virtio-win.iso
Windows Server 2025
wget -P /mnt https://eu1.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2025_x64_VirtIO_Intel.iso
wget -P /mnt https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/latest-virtio/virtio-win.iso
- Install QEMU-SYSTEM
apt-get install qemu-system -y
- Launch QEMU (paste the code and tap 2 times to start)
You need to have VNC Viewer installed on your PC to control QEMU environment
VPS with Virtual Drive (OVH VPS):
qemu-system-x86_64 \
-m 1G \
-cpu host \
-enable-kvm \
-boot order=d \
-drive file=/mnt/WINDOWSISONAME.iso,media=cdrom \
-drive file=/mnt/virtio-win.iso,media=cdrom \
-drive file=/dev/sda,format=raw,if=virtio \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pci.0,addr=0x4 \
-device usb-tablet \
-net nic,model=virtio-net-pci \
-net user,hostfwd=tcp::3389-:3389 \
-vnc :0 \
Dedicated Servers with Physical Drive (OneProvider):
qemu-system-x86_64 \
-m 1G \
-cpu host \
-boot order=d \
-drive file=/mnt/WINDOWSISONAME.iso,media=cdrom \
-drive file=/dev/sda,format=raw \
-device usb-ehci,id=usb,bus=pci.0,addr=0x4 \
-device usb-tablet \
-net nic,model=virtio-net-pci \
-net user,hostfwd=tcp::3389-:3389 \
-vnc :0 \
- Write the IP of your server and use "0" as port in VNC Viewer
- For VPS with virtual drivers you need "Load driver" from mounted virtio-win.iso ➤ go to amd64/yourwinversion
- Once you are in Windows, open "SERVER MANAGER" and enable "Remote desktop"
- Now go to your provider's panel and reset the server to "normal mode" and connect via remote desktop.
INSTALL WINDOWS ON HETZNER VPS (NO VIRTUALIZATION CPU)
I tried to install windows with the other method, but HETNZER does not have virtualization enabled, so it is impossible.
For this I created custom Windows.gz with VirtIO & Intel Drivers (like in the old days) and it worked!
Install Ubuntu and boot in normal or rescue mode its the same in this case, Open Putty ➤ Log in with root credentials ➤ paste this code to install Windows ➤ Lets the magic happens
I make customs .gz of Windows Server 2025 | 2022 | 2019 | 2016 | 2012R2 Standard with GUI + VirtIO & Intel Drivers
BACKUP: GOOGLE DRIVE
Windows Server 2012R2
wget -O- 'https://eu2.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2012R2_VirtIO_Intel.gz' | gunzip | dd of=/dev/sda
Windows Server 2016
wget -O- 'https://eu2.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2016_VirtIO_Intel.gz' | gunzip | dd of=/dev/sda
Windows Server 2019
wget -O- 'https://eu2.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2019_VirtIO_Intel.gz' | gunzip | dd of=/dev/sda
Windows Server 2022
wget -O- 'https://eu2.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2022_VirtIO_Intel.gz' | gunzip | dd of=/dev/sda
Windows Server 2025
wget -O- 'https://eu2.vpssh.xyz/Windows_Server_2025_VirtIO_Intel.gz' | gunzip | dd of=/dev/sda
Wait about 15-30 minutes to finish the process, putty should look like this:
"Power Off" ➤ "Power On" ➤ Connect via remote desktop with these credentials
USER: Administrator PASSWORD: MyRLSE2024
SPECIAL THANKS TO
BonGuides for "How to Add Drivers into a Windows ISO Installation Image"
BonGuides for "How to Remove Editions from a Windows 10 ISO Image"
Rean's Web for "Custom Windows Server Image on Digital Ocean"
David Dalton for "Creating and formatting partitions in Ubuntu Server"
JOIN MY TELEGRAM GROUP!
Windows without KVM/iLO or IPMI
https://t.me/+-nZfmEQSlfJkM2Q5
IF YOU FOUND THIS THREAD HELPFUL YOU CAN HELP ME MAKING A DONATION
USDT / Network ➤ TRON: TPKZiQmmyzrfn9nGR9zyLJtC7qWQfzmykF
USDT Network ➤ BSC BNB Smart Chain (BEP20): 0x133879bb1968563a5d72df6f5621d2df98e7ef76
BTC / Network ➤ BSC BNB Smart Chain (BEP20): 0x133879bb1968563a5d72df6f5621d2df98e7ef76
Comments
Do you have a lightweight version of Windows for small VPS?
Does this work on LXC NATVPS?
Does this come with or without malware/backdoor/,,, ?
Thanks for the write up.
Use ISO link from Microsoft.
Thanks @javimuse for this great guide.
Much appreciated.
Can you provide details/information on how you create your custom ISOs (and namely the gzs? what's in those?)
The minimum VPS configuration where windows server os can be installed is
1 vCore Ryzen 5/7 (or 2 vCore Xeon Gold or similar)
2 GB ram
20 GB NVMe (or 30 GB SSD)
I use oficials ISO´s from Microsoft and add the drivers with the tutorial from BonGuides - "How to Add Drivers into a Windows ISO Installation Image", same for the .gz are a clean installation but with Remote Desktop enable.
I build a ISO for you based in "Windows Server 2022 BaseLineEdition - LiteOS #2023.8 #noMetro #superlite #dotNETALL"
I add the VirtIO + Intel drivers
Size: 1.97GB
ARCHIVE.ORG - GOOGLE DRIVE BACKUP
You need set a administrator password, and enable remote desktop in Server Manager and Remote Desktop service from services.msc
Awesome tutorial
Great job, for Hetzner you can also use the iso from Hetzner and just install it with console for there VPS line, dedicated you can request kvm for free.
first thank you.
can you please tell how to make own " customs ISO´s and .gz of Windows Server" ?
I follow this tutorial from Rean's Web - Custom Windows Server Image on Digital Ocean for .gz and
"How to Remove Editions from a Windows 10 ISO Image" for ISO and I follow this one for add drivers "How to Add Drivers into a Windows ISO Installation Image"
https://lowendtalk.com/discussion/160282/windows-kimsufi-qemu-fresh-install-probably-will-work-for-others-too#latest
I had written this tutorial many moons ago to setup Windows on my first Kimsufi/ Online Dedis and that worked like a charm too. I don't think I had to use virtio rom separately but good to know.
I was able to manipulate Ethernet drivers manually yo get it working.
bookmarked
cool, man! thanks for sharing. i'll definitely try it.
Thank you. I can now install Windows, then install Linux on top using Hyper-V, then install back Windows on top using KVM
the master of inceptionVMs... :P
Good stuff. This will definitely come in handy.
How does the licensing works in this case because many times, you cannot use your retail keys on such vps servers. Do hetzner send you piracy notices?
if you are using VPS for production or commercial usage, look for provider licensing such as @DataWagon
We had moved on to Linux after .net start supporting linux. I was thinking to setup a Plex server for my personal use.
But please note that it comes without virtio drivers, so you won't see the disk when you install it.
The guides include how to add virtio drivers to windows ISO images.
It is actually not so hard but most customer who want use Windows just do not have enough experience. Also in most case VPS infrastructure or IPMI on dedicated server do not allow attach second image to connect ISO with drivers.
Anyway, this topic is a good help for inexperienced users.
iso can be modified to include custom folders for VirtIO and other custom apps to install during Windows OS install.
-- using Windows OS since NT days
Sure, but ordinary users have never even heard the name of this utility, based on our experience.
LET members are not "ordinary users"
in my experience
This is among the most value VPS for running Windows Server OS,