How to set up a Virtual Lab using Hyper V with ISO Image Windows Server 2025
Autumn Cockrill
2/4/2025
I created this short walkthrough for a friend of mine, who asked me to help him set up a virtual lab using Hyper V for his work! You can use this demonstration for downloading any .iso file, not just windows server.
NOTE: If Hyper V is already installed, go to step 2.
- Turn on Hyper Visor in windows
Start > control panel > Programs and Features > Turn windows features on/off
> scroll til you see hyper Visor and turn it on
- You are going to have to restart your computer in order to install hyper Visor
Download the ISO Image for Windows Server 2025
Go To:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2025
Open Hyper V :
Click on your computer: (Mine is Gaming-PC)
On the right side:
Go to: New > Virtual Machine
Click Next
Name your Virtual Machine
I named mine “Windows Server 2025”
Click the Generation for this Machine.
I clicked Gen 2
For Memory
I left it at default 4096 MB
Keep the Dynamic memory checked and click next.
In Networking
- Change the connection to default switch (you can change this later if needed)
Connect Virtual Hard Disk
- Leave name and Location default
- Change the Size to 62 GB
- Click Next
Installation Options
- Check Install an operating system later
- Click Next
Click Finish.
When the machine is done installing
Find it in Hyper-V
Right click and go to settings
(At this point, I do not have a DVD drive on my computer. So we are going to create one.)
Go to SCSI Controller
DVD Drive
Click Add.
Click on the DVD drive created.
Click Image File:
Browse.
Find your ISO image you downloaded and select it.
Click Apply. Click Ok.
Double click your windows machine and click start.
NOTE: If your virtual machine doesn’t start up and pull up the windows installation menu, Move the DVD drive up in the boot order in settings.
Go through the installation process.
When you get to “Select the operating system you want to install” Choose
Windows Server 2025 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience) x64
Accept the license agreement
Next, Partition the harddrive
Click Create Partition > leave default
Next, click the biggest partition to install the operating system on.
Click install.
Create your password and click Finish
References