Install Exchange Server 2019 Core – on Windows Server 2022

I’ve set up Exchange Server 2019 Core on a few different Windows builds over the years, but doing it on Server 2022 was a bit of a curveball. Not gonna lie—I went in expecting a smooth ride, but a couple of quirks reminded me why I always keep a rollback snapshot handy.

Why I Went With This Setup

I was rebuilding a lab environment for testing hybrid mail flow, and I wanted something lean—no GUI bloat, just raw performance. Exchange 2019 Core on Server 2022 felt like the right combo. It’s supported, stable, and gives me room to test without worrying about legacy compatibility issues.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough (With Commentary)

1. Prepping the Server

Started with a fresh Windows Server 2022 Core install—joined it to the domain, set a static IP, and tweaked the regional settings. I always do this manually via sconfig; it’s faster than fumbling through PowerShell when you’re half awake.

2. Installing Prerequisites

Here’s where things got interesting. Most guides list the usual suspects:

• .NET Framework 4.8
• Visual C++ Redistributable 2013
• Unified Communications Managed API 4.0

But on Server Core, you don’t get a GUI to confirm installs. I used PowerShell for everything. Pro tip: run Get-WindowsFeature before installing anything—you’ll avoid chasing phantom roles that aren’t available on Core.

3. Active Directory Prep

I ran Setup.exe /PrepareSchema and /PrepareAD from a domain-joined machine with the Exchange media mounted. If you skip this or mistime it, Exchange setup will throw schema errors that feel like they came from 2008. Been there.

4. Installing Exchange 2019 Core

Mounted the ISO and kicked off setup via command line. The install screen just sat there—black, silent, almost mocking me. Took about 30 minutes on my Hyper-V lab box (32GB RAM, SSD-backed). I chose the Mailbox role only, skipped Edge.

5. Post-Install Tweaks

Once installed, I jumped into Exchange Management Shell to verify services. The Admin Center isn’t available on Core, so you’ll need a separate management box or browser to access it remotely. I set up a test mailbox and sent a few internal mails—worked fine.

6. Verifying the Setup

Ran Get-ExchangeServer and Test-ServiceHealth. Everything looked green. I also checked event logs for any sneaky errors—nothing critical popped up.

Bugs and Gotchas

• The UCMA installer failed silently the first time. Had to re-run it with elevated permissions.
• Visual C++ Redistributable didn’t show up in Programs and Features, so I wasn’t sure it installed—confirmed via registry.
• DNS hiccup during domain join—turned out to be a typo in my static IP config. Ever spent an hour debugging a typo? Welcome to my world.

Lessons Learned

• Always prep AD before touching Exchange setup.
• Server Core saves resources, but you’ll need a second box for GUI management.
• Don’t trust silent installers—verify everything manually.

Final Thoughts

Exchange 2019 Core on Server 2022 is solid once it’s up, but the setup isn’t exactly plug-and-play. If you’re used to full GUI installs, brace yourself for a CLI-heavy ride. Still, for lab environments or lean deployments, it’s worth the effort.

Have you tried this setup yourself? Did you hit any weird compatibility issues or find smoother workarounds? Drop your thoughts—I’d love to compare notes.