Here’s a simple, step-by-step walkthrough to get the Windows Server 2016 OS installed on your VM and then finish the basic configuration to get it up and running smoothly. (Guest Additions, networking, and renaming the server).
Part 1: Install Windows Server 2016 in VirtualBox
1) Start the VM
- Open VirtualBox
- Select your Windows Server VM and click Start (or Double-click it)
2) Run the Windows Setup
Select your language + keyboard (example: English) → Next → Install now
Choose Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Evaluation (Desktop Experience) → Next
Accept the license terms → Next
Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
Select the drive to install to → Next and let the install finish
3) Set the Administrator password
Once installation completes, set an Administrator password (make sure you remember it)
Log in using the credentials you just created
Part 2: Basic Windows Server 2016 Configurations
1) Install VirtualBox Guest AdditionS
Inside the VM: Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image…
Open File Explorer → This PC → open the Guest Additions CD. Click through VBoxWindowsAdditions
When prompted about device software, choose Install
DO NOT Reboot when finished
2) Pin Server Manager + Command Prompt (optional)
Open Server Manager and pin it to the taskbar (right-click → More → Pin to taskbar)
Search for cmd and pin Command Prompt too
Networking Setup (NAT Network)
Fix Adapter (NAT Network) if it shows 169.254.x.x
If your Ethernet adapter has a 169.254.*.* address, we need to assign a static IP. I recommend assigning a static IP on the NAT network (example range: 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254).
Set a static IPv4 on Ethernet
Open Server Manager → Local Server
Click the IPv4 link next to Ethernet
Right-click Ethernet → Properties
Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties
Choose Use the following IP address and enter:
IP Address: 192.168.10.10 (example — you can use anything from 192.168.10.2 to 192.168.10.254)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 (Will populate automatically)
Default Gateway: 192.168.10.1 (This depends on what subnet you defined for your NAT Network in VirtualBox)
Preferred DNS: 192.168.10.10 (Seerve’s own IP as it will also be our default DNS Server)
Alternate DNS: 8.8.8.8
Rename the Server
Server Manager → Local Server
Click the computer name to open System Properties
Click Change and enter a new name (example shown: DC1)
Restart when prompted
At this point, you should have Windows Server 2016 installed, Guest Additions working, network connectivity confirmed, and a properly renamed server ready for the next steps.