How to Install Windows Server on DigitalOcean – Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Are you looking to install Windows Server on DigitalOcean? This tutorial will walk you through the entire process step by step so you can successfully set up a Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) on DigitalOcean.

And don’t worry, you won’t need a PhD in server wizardry - just follow along, and you’ll be up and running in no time!

💰 Get $200 Free Credit on DigitalOcean

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Step 1: Create a Droplet on DigitalOcean

1. Log in to your DigitalOcean account.
2. Click Create → Droplets.
3. Select a Region: Choose a region closest to your location for better connectivity (because nobody likes lag!).
4. Select an Image: Choose Ubuntu (any version) as the base OS.
5. Select CPU Options: Pick any CPU configuration based on your requirements.
6. Set a Password: You need to set a password, but it won’t be used because Windows Server will have a different password.
7. Host Name: Enter a name for your droplet (you can name it anything - like Serverzilla).
8. Click Create Droplet.

⚠️ Important: Follow these steps carefully, and don’t skip any part to avoid installation issues. No pressure, but skipping a step might make your server disappear into the void.

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Step 2: Enable Recovery Mode

1. Once the Droplet is created, go to Droplet Settings.
2. Click Recovery.
3. Turn off the droplet (it needs a nap).
4. Click Boot from Recovery ISO.
5. Turn on the droplet.

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Step 3: Access the Recovery Console

1. Click Access → Launch Recovery Console.
2. In the console, type 6 and press Enter.
3. Copy the Windows Server download URL here (yes, literally click "here").
4. Paste the URL into the console to start the download.
5. The download will take approximately 25-30 minutes (a great time for a coffee break).

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Step 4: Finalizing Windows Installation

1. Once the download is complete, close the console.
2. Go back to Droplet Settings → Recovery.
3. Click Boot from Hard Drive.
4. Turn on the droplet.

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Step 5: Configure Network Settings via Command Line

After launching Windows Server, you need to configure network settings. Because who needs a fancy GUI when you can feel like a hacker typing in commands?

1. Click Access → Launch Recovery Console.
2. Open Command Prompt.
3. Run the following command to list available network interfaces:

   netsh interface show interface
   

4. Identify your network adapter name (e.g., Ethernet Instance 0).
5. Set a static IP address using:

   netsh interface ip set address name="<AdapterName>" static <STATIC_IP> <SUBNET_MASK> <GATEWAY>
   

   Example:

   netsh interface ip set address name="Ethernet Instance 0" static 152.42.253.105 255.255.240.0 152.42.240.1
   

6. Configure the primary DNS server:

   netsh interface ip set dns name="<AdapterName>" static 8.8.8.8
   

7. Add a secondary DNS server:

   netsh interface ip add dns name="<AdapterName>" 8.8.4.4 index=2
   

8. Verify the configuration:

   ipconfig /all
   

Congratulations! You’ve successfully convinced your server that it’s on a real network and not lost in the void.

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Step 6: Configure Windows Server

1. Open Administrative Tools.
2. Click Computer Management → Disk Management.
3. Right-click the middle partition and select Extend Volume (because more storage is always better).

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Step 7: Set Up User and Password

1. Open Local Users and Groups.
2. Change the username to something fun like AdminOverlord (optional but recommended).
3. Right-click on the username and select Change Password.
4. Set a new password (make it strong, no "password123" nonsense!).

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Step 8: Update Windows Server

1. Go to Update & Security → Check for Updates.
2. Let Windows install updates (this may take 5-6 minutes - another coffee break opportunity).
3. Once the updates are installed, restart the server (this may take 3-4 minutes - don’t panic if it seems stuck, Windows likes to think a lot before rebooting).

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Step 9: Connect to Windows Server via RDP

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection on your computer.
2. Enter your DigitalOcean droplet’s IP address.
3. Log in using your Windows username and password.
4. Welcome to your cloud kingdom! 🎉

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Conclusion

You have now successfully installed Windows Server on DigitalOcean and configured its network settings using the command line. This setup allows you to host applications, manage servers, and run Windows-based software on a cloud platform.

Now, go forth and conquer the digital world! 🚀

💰 Get $200 Free Credit on DigitalOcean

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Let me know if you want any last-minute changes! 🎉