Installing Windows Server 2025 on a VMware Virtual Machine
Article ID: 371350
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Windows Server 2025 documentation covers information on how to install the operating system on a virtual machine. For additional information about the operating system, refer to the instructions included in the installation media.
Installation Instructions
You can install Windows Server 2025 on a virtual machine using the corresponding Windows Server 2025 ISO image.
Prerequisites
Before you begin:
- Read General Installation Instructions for All VMware Products.
- Read the Microsoft system requirements for the recommended storage and memory values Hardware requirements for Windows Server | Microsoft Learn.
- Create and configure a new virtual machine with the appropriate virtual storage and virtual memory to support the intended workload.
Note: During the guest OS configuration, for VMware vSphere ESXi virtual machine with hardware versions 19, 20, 21; the Windows Server 2025 option is not available, select Microsoft Windows Server 2022 (64-bit). See, Windows Server 2025 Guest OS option is not Available During VMware vSphere ESXi Virtual Machine Creation (broadcom.com).
Resolution
Installation Steps
- Insert the Windows Server 2025 ISO image into the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive on the virtual machine.
- Start the virtual machine. This begins the Windows installation.
Note: VMware PVSCSI driver is included in the Windows Server 2025 ISO image, if you are using VMware Paravirtual as the default SCSI controller, there is no need to select or install the PVSCSI driver from additional media now. - Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- Install VMware Tools.
VMware Tools in Windows Server 2025 Guest OS
For information on VMware Tools, see General VMware Tools installation instructions, at How to install VMware Tools (broadcom.com).
The following links refer to knowledge base articles refer to issues while installing Windows Server 2025 Guest operating system on a VMware virtual machine:
- For guest operating system, see Knowledge base article see, Windows Server 2025 Guest OS option is not Available During VMware vSphere ESXi Virtual Machine Creation (broadcom.com).
- For a list of known issues about the operating system, search the VMware knowledge base with the specific issue.
VMware Compatibility Guide
The VMware Compatibility Guide website lists supported guest and host operating systems and provides related support information VMware Compatibility Guide - System Search.
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