Step#1: Install Windows Server 2016 on a physical machine (Various install options)

[Savas]

In this milestone we'll set up a Windows Server 2016 to boot natively, i.e. as a 'real' physical server, not inside virtual machine.

There are several options:

1. Use a spare PC or laptop with at least 2GB (better minimum 4GB) RAM and around 50GB minimum hard disk space
   
2. Use an external USB drive. Ideally 500GB or 1TB, USB3 if possible. Requires a computer that can boot from USB.
   
3. Install Windows Server 2016 inside a VHD.
   

All steps require that you have the latest ISO file downloaded with the Windows Server 2016 installer. You can download it from the Microsoft Evaluation Center or from here. The ISO file is basically a file with the contents of the Windows Server 2016 installation DVD. 

Option #3 is the "cheapest" way since it doesn't require additional hardware. Basically your hard disk has to have enough free disk space to place a VHD file on it, which can be dynamically expanding (growing as needed). After installing Server 2016 into the VHD, the Windows boot loader will display a boot menu where you can select your old operating system or the new server. Instructions are available here http://itproguru.com/expert/2016/06/how-...p-by-step/. Make sure the VHD is big enough, perhaps about 50GB (capacity not actual size). Also you must have the same disk space free on the 'real' drive, even if you are not going to use it all. Example, if you create a VHD with a capacity of 100GB, the physical drive holding that file must have at least 100GB free, even if the space will never be used.


For option #2, you need a USB hard drive prepared. Follow the instructions here. Basically you download the ISO file and Rufus (from the article in the previous link). Use Rufus as shown in the article to display your USB hard disk, select the ISO file, and let it prepare the hard drive. Then reboot and as soon as the BIOS loads up, hit F12 to get the boot selection menu. The USB drive should appear as an option. If it doesn't boot and reverts to booting from your internal hard drive, you may need to check if the drive was created in MBR or GPT layout. If the latter, you need to enter the BIOS setup. Reboot the PC and hit F2 or delete. In the BIOS menu look for Boot settings. There should be an option for 'legacy' boot or UEFI. For disks using the GPT layout you need the UEFI boot mechanism. Once you change the setting, hit F10 to save and reboot. Then hit again F12 to get to the boot menu and select the USB drive. If everything went well you should see the Windows Server 2016 installer loading.
This gentleman was so nice to videotape the entire process here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlEJJqo1tw

For option #1 it's probably best to have a USB stick. You would use again Rufus to place the Windows Server 2016 installer on the stick and then either boot from the stick to start the installer, or start the setup.exe on the stick on your space PC.

Once you have Windows Server 2016 installed, install the Hyper-V role in it. Follow the instructions shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGZrhKhj0Fk


All the above options will not affect your internal hard drive, except the VHD boot option, which will make a minor modification to the boot loader.

Install a VM
Once your have Windows Server 2016 working and the Hyper-V role installed, create a virtual machine in Hyper-V. See the above video link for instructions. You can use the same ISO file you have download earlier for the VM installation.

[dgess1]

For Macbook users all of the above steps can be accomplished with some modifications.

Here's a list of what I used...

Macbook Air (2010) 4gb of Ram, intel processor L9600 dual core 2.13 Ghz 2138 Mhz
Seagate HDD 1 TB
32 GB Sandisk USB
USB mouse/keyboard (you may need this until you get drivers installed)

1.) Download windows server ISO from your Macbook.  Windows may detect your configurations, I haven't tested if it will work with other DL methods.
2.) click on search assistance, type in boot camp.  Click action>Download Windows Support Software
3.) Save Windows Support Software to your desktop, transfer that folder to your USB
4.) transfer ISO to your USB
5.) log onto a windows machine and use rufus to follow the steps from above, format your external drive and use the ISO image you downloaded with your macbook
6.) (optional if step 7 doesn't work try this) open a terminal and type
> sudo bless -mount /Volumes/MyBootVolume -setBoot
> sudo nvram -d efi-boot-device
7.) restart your Macbook, hold down the options key
8.) select the efi boot disk, should be your external drive
9.) follow windows prompts, you will have to connect a USB keyboard and mouse(no drivers yet)
10.) once install is complete, transfer bootcamp files from USB to your desktop
11.) open WindowsSupport folder and double click setup
12.) some drivers may not install properly, my wireless for instance would not work
13.) go into WindowsSupport folder > drivers > Broadcom > dbl click Broadcom Network Adapter 7_64

Not everything worked on the first go, I had multiple restarts as my hardware is not supported.  If you have a newer laptop your installation should go smoother.

Hope this helps