2026-01-30

How to Install and Configure Windows Server 2016 on VirtualBox?

Part of your rebuilt static knowledge blog.

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)

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.