Install and configure Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016 By Mariette Knap hyper v, virtualized Did you know that you can virtualize your Windows Server 2016 Essentials? Instead of hacking into Windows Server Essentials itself and using that as a Hyper-V host we go ahead and do it the official way and download Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016 for free. Some administrators don’t like a server without a GUI (server core) but it has a lot of benefits compared to a full-blown server with the GUI and roles installed. It requires fewer resources. It is more secure because the attack surface is smaller. Reduced management. Requires much fewer updates from Windows Update so fewer reboots needed. For managing the Server Core with Hyper-V only we use a normal workstation with Windows 10 + RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools). OK, admitted it is a little bit more complicated but it outweighs the benefits! If you want to learn more Hyper-V Server 2016 I suggest What's new in Hyper-V on Windows Server 2016 at Technet. Probably most important new feature is Windows PowerShell Direct. This allows you to run Windows PowerShell commands in a virtual machine from the host without an actual network connection. More reading here Manage Windows virtual machines with PowerShell Direct Make your choices and choose Next Click Install Now Accept the terms and click Next Choose ‘Custom: Install the newer version of Hyper-V Server only’. Choose the partition where you want to install and click Next Setup is working… Server needs to restart to complete the installation. Your password must be changed. Type a new password New password is set now Sconfig has started and you can do some minimal configuration on the Hyper-V Host. I would change the Computer name to something meaningful and change network Settings to a static IP address and preferred DNS IP address.