# Windows Server Setup

### Overview

Before Active Directory could be installed, a Windows Server 2019 virtual machine needed to be created and configured inside Hyper-V. This VM would become the Domain Controller for the lab environment.

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### Prerequisites

* Hyper-V enabled on Windows 10 Pro host
* Internal Virtual Switch (LabSwitch) created in Hyper-V Manager
* Windows Server 2019 Evaluation ISO downloaded from Microsoft Evaluation Center (180 day free license)

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### VM Configuration

| Setting           | Value                          |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ |
| VM Name           | WinServer2019-DC01             |
| Generation        | Generation 2                   |
| RAM               | 2048 MB                        |
| Virtual Hard Disk | 60 GB                          |
| Network Adapter   | LabSwitch                      |
| ISO               | Windows Server 2019 Evaluation |

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### Important Pre-Boot Setting

Before starting the VM, Secure Boot was disabled:

* Right click VM → Settings → Security
* Uncheck Enable Secure Boot
* Click Apply

This is required to avoid boot conflicts with the Server 2019 installer in Hyper-V Generation 2 VMs.

***

### OS Installation

1. Started VM and pressed a key immediately when prompted to boot from DVD
2. Selected language defaults and clicked Install Now
3. Selected edition: **Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience)**

   > Desktop Experience is critical — without it Windows Server installs in Core mode with no GUI
4. Selected Custom Install
5. Selected the virtual hard disk and proceeded
6. Set Administrator password after installation completed

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### Post Install

* Renamed server to DC01
  * Start → Settings → System → About → Rename this PC
  * Restarted after rename
* Logged in as Administrator
* Server Manager opened automatically — ready for role installation

***

### Troubleshooting Notes

**Issue:** Needed to disable Secure Boot before VM would boot properly from ISO **Fix:** Disabled Secure Boot in VM Settings → Security before first start

***

### Skills Practiced

* Hyper-V VM creation and configuration
* Windows Server 2019 installation
* Enterprise edition selection (Desktop Experience vs Core)
* VM security settings management


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