Knowledge Base

Hetzner Robot is a powerful tool used to manage dedicated servers. This platform provides direct access to server hardware, allowing you to perform operating system installation, rebooting, and other essential management tasks. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn step-by-step how to install the Windows operating system using the Hetzner Robot interface. Our guide is designed to be understandable for everyone, from beginners to experienced system administrators.

1. Introduction: Hetzner Robot and Dedicated Servers

Hetzner Robot is a web-based interface provided by Hetzner Online GmbH, used to manage your dedicated servers. Dedicated servers are physical servers whose resources are entirely yours. This offers higher performance, security, and customization compared to virtual servers (VPS). The Robot interface allows you to perform various operations such as viewing your server's hardware configuration, installing an operating system, rebooting, and detecting hardware errors.

1.1. Advantages of Dedicated Servers

• High Performance: Resources are entirely yours, which means higher processing power and faster data transfer.
• Security: Since there are no shared resources, you are not affected by the actions of other users.
• Customization: You can fully customize the operating system, software, and hardware configuration according to your needs.
• Full Control: You have full authority over the server and can perform any operation you want.

1.2. Overview of the Hetzner Robot Interface

The Hetzner Robot interface has a user-friendly design and allows you to easily access all the basic information about your server. In the interface, you can find:

• Server Information: Basic information such as your server's name, IP address, hardware configuration, and operating system.
• Reboot: Server reboot options (normal reboot, rescue system).
• Operating System Installation: Options to install different operating systems on your server (Linux, Windows, FreeBSD).
• Console Access: VNC or IPMI console connection to directly access your server.
• Traffic Monitoring: Monitoring the amount of traffic your server uses.
• Support Ticket: Contacting the Hetzner support team.

2. Preparing for Windows Installation

Before starting the Windows installation, it is important to carefully plan your server's requirements and the installation process. This section covers the necessary prerequisites and preparations for installation.

2.1. System Requirements

Before installing Windows on your dedicated server, make sure your server meets the minimum system requirements for Windows. Requirements may vary depending on the Windows versions, so it is important to check the official documentation of the Windows version you want to install. In general, the following minimum requirements are recommended for Windows:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 2 GB (64-bit)
• Disk Space: 20 GB
• Network Connection: A stable internet connection

2.2. Licensing

You need a valid license to use Windows. When installing Windows via Hetzner Robot, you usually need to provide your own license. The licensing options are:

• Use Your Own License (BYOL - Bring Your Own License): You can use a Windows license that you have purchased before. In this case, you will need to enter your license key during the installation.
• Purchase a License from Hetzner: Hetzner also offers Windows licenses. You can purchase a license from Hetzner during the installation.

Important Note: If you are unsure about licensing, it is important to contact Hetzner support team to determine the correct licensing option.

2.3. Backup

Important: Before starting the Windows installation, it is strongly recommended to back up all important data on your server. Data loss may occur during the installation process, and backup allows you to protect your data in such cases.

Here are the methods you can use for backup:

• Data Transfer via FTP/SFTP: You can transfer files from your server to a local computer or another server using FTP or SFTP.
• Database Backup: If you have a database on your server (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), it is important to back up the database.
• Hetzner Backup Service: Hetzner offers a backup service for servers. You can use this service to regularly back up your server.

3. Windows Installation with Hetzner Robot Interface

Windows installation can be easily performed via the Hetzner Robot interface. The following steps describe the installation process step by step.

3.1. Entering the Rescue System

To start the Windows installation, you must first boot your server into the rescue system. The rescue system provides a temporary Linux environment on your server, and you can perform the Windows installation through this environment.

1. Log in to the Hetzner Robot interface.
2. Select the server you want to install Windows on from your server list.
3. Click on the "Rescue System" tab.
4. Click the "Activate Rescue System" button.
5. Set a root password for the rescue system. Note this password, as you will need it to log in to the rescue system.
6. Confirm the operation by clicking the "Activate Rescue System" button again.
7. Your server will restart and enter the rescue system.

3.2. Connecting to the Rescue System

After the rescue system is activated, you can connect to your server via SSH. An SSH client (e.g., PuTTY) is used to access the rescue system.

1. Open your SSH client.
2. Connect to your server using your server's IP address and the root password you set for the rescue system.
3. Once the SSH connection is established, you will be logged into the rescue system.

3.3. Disk Partitioning and Preparation

You need to partition the disk appropriately for Windows installation. You can partition the disk using tools like `fdisk` or `parted`. The following example shows how to partition the disk using `fdisk`:

fdisk /dev/sda

After running this command, the `fdisk` interface will open. You can partition the disk by following these steps:

1. Create a new GPT disk label with the `g` command.
2. Create a new partition with the `n` command.
3. Determine the partition size (e.g., accept the default values to use the entire disk).
4. Write the changes to the disk with the `w` command.

After partitioning the disk, you need to format the partition. You can use the following command to format it with the NTFS file system:

mkfs.ntfs /dev/sda1

3.4. Downloading and Mounting the Windows ISO File

You need to download and mount the Windows ISO file to your server. You can use the `wget` command to download the ISO file:

wget [URL of the Windows ISO file]

After downloading the ISO file, create a directory and mount the ISO file to this directory:

mkdir /mnt/windows
mount -o loop [Name of the Windows ISO file].iso /mnt/windows

3.5. Copying Windows Installation Files to the Disk

After mounting the ISO file, you need to copy the Windows installation files to the disk. You can use the `robocopy` (for Windows) or `cp` (for Linux) command. Since the rescue system is Linux-based, we will use the `cp` command:

cp -r /mnt/windows/* /mnt/sda1

3.6. Creating Bootloader Records

You need to create boot records so that Windows can boot correctly. This is usually done using tools found in the Windows installation environment. However, since these tools are not available in the rescue system, you may need to create the boot records manually. This step can be more complex for system administrators and requires careful attention.

Important: This step is a technical process. If you do not have experience in this area, it is recommended that you contact Hetzner support.

Typically, tools like `bootsect` or `bcdboot` are used. However, these tools may not be available in the rescue system. In this case, you can boot Windows using a bootloader like GRUB.

3.7. Restarting the Server

After copying the installation files to the disk and creating the boot records, you can restart the server. During the restart process, your server should boot from the Windows installation.

Restart the server from the Hetzner Robot interface. During the restart process, check the boot order in the BIOS settings and make sure that the disk (sda) is set as the first boot device.

3.8. Completing the Windows Installation

After the server restarts, the Windows installation screen will appear. You can install Windows by following the installation steps. During the installation, you may need to enter your license key and configure disk partitioning settings.

After the installation is complete, you can start using Windows.

4. Post-Installation Configuration

After the Windows installation is complete, you may need to make some configurations to get your server ready for use. These configurations include operations such as increasing the security of your server, optimizing its performance, and installing the necessary software.

4.1. Installing Drivers

After the Windows installation is complete, you may need to install the necessary drivers for your server's hardware components. Drivers ensure that hardware components work correctly. You can download drivers from the hardware manufacturer's website or through Windows Update.

4.2. Installing Firewall and Antivirus Software

It is important to install a firewall and antivirus software to ensure the security of your server. Windows Firewall is enabled by default, but you can also install a third-party firewall software for an additional layer of security. In addition, you can protect your server from malware by using up-to-date antivirus software.

4.3. Remote Desktop Access (RDP)

You need to enable Remote Desktop Access (RDP) to access your server remotely. RDP allows you to connect to your server via a graphical interface. You can follow the steps below to enable RDP:

1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Click on System and Security.
3. Click on System.
4. Click on Remote Settings.
5. In the "Remote Desktop" section, check the "Allow remote connections to this computer" option.
6. Click OK.

4.4. Windows Update

Windows Update is a service used to keep the Windows operating system and other Microsoft software up to date. By regularly checking Windows Update, you can close security vulnerabilities and improve system performance.

5. Troubleshooting

You may encounter various problems during or after Windows installation. This section addresses common problems and suggested solutions.

5.1. Error Messages During Installation

If you receive an error message during installation, read the error message carefully and try to understand the cause of the problem. The error message usually provides clues about the source of the problem. You can try the following steps to solve the problem:

• Make sure the installation media (ISO file) is intact.
• Make sure your server meets the minimum system requirements for Windows.
• Make sure you have performed disk partitioning and formatting correctly.
• Make sure you have installed the drivers correctly.

5.2. Network Connection Problems

If you experience network connection problems after Windows installation is complete, you can try the following steps:

• Make sure the network cable is properly plugged in.
• Make sure the network adapter driver is installed correctly.
• Make sure the IP address is configured correctly.
• Make sure the firewall is not blocking the network connection.

5.3. Performance Issues

If you experience performance issues after Windows installation is complete, you can try the following steps:

• Close unnecessary programs.
• Disable programs running in the background.
• Perform disk defragmentation.
• Upgrade RAM.
• Use an SSD disk.

6. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

This section presents real-life examples and case studies related to Windows installation with Hetzner Robot.

6.1. Case Study 1: Web Server Installation

A web development company rented a dedicated server from Hetzner to host a high-traffic website. The company decided to set up a web server using the Windows Server 2019 operating system. They installed Windows Server 2019 using the Hetzner Robot interface, configured the IIS web server, and uploaded their websites to the server. The server exhibited stable performance even under high traffic.

6.2. Case Study 2: Game Server Installation

A gaming community wanted to set up a game server for a popular online game. They rented a dedicated server from Hetzner and decided to install the game server using the Windows Server 2016 operating system. They installed Windows Server 2016 using the Hetzner Robot interface, installed the game server software, and configured the server. The game server provided a smooth gaming experience with low latency.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section contains answers to frequently asked questions about Windows installation with Hetzner Robot.

• 7.1. Do I need a Windows license?
• Yes, you need a valid license to use Windows. You can use your own license or purchase a license from Hetzner.
• 7.2. What is the rescue system?
• The rescue system is a tool that provides a temporary Linux environment on your server and allows you to perform Windows installation through this environment.
• 7.3. How is disk partitioning done?
• Disk partitioning can be done using tools such as `fdisk` or `parted`. These tools allow you to divide the disk into partitions and format each partition.
• 7.4. How long does Windows installation take?
• Windows installation may vary depending on your server's hardware specifications and internet connection speed. Typically, the installation takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

7.5. What should I do if I encounter problems during installation?

If you encounter problems during installation, read the error message carefully and try to understand the cause of the problem. You can refer to the troubleshooting section in this guide or contact Hetzner support team to resolve the issue.

8. Conclusion and Summary

In this comprehensive guide, you have learned step by step how to install the Windows operating system on your dedicated server using the Hetzner Robot interface. Our guide covers the prerequisites for installation, the installation process, post-installation configuration, and troubleshooting tips. Hetzner Robot is a powerful tool for managing your dedicated servers, and this guide will help you perform Windows installation easily and successfully.

In summary:

• Hetzner Robot is a web-based interface used to manage dedicated servers.
• You need a valid license for Windows installation.
• The rescue system is a necessary tool for Windows installation.
• Disk partitioning and formatting operations must be done correctly.
• Post-installation configuration is important to improve your server's security and performance.

We hope this guide has helped you with Windows installation with Hetzner Robot. We wish you success!

If you would like to learn more about Hetzner Cloud Germany Location Servers, you can visit the link.

Additional Information and Tables

Operating System Comparison

Windows Server Versions Comparison