How to install UniFi OS on Windows

#UniFi OS Server

Ubiquiti now lets you self-host the full UniFi OS stack (including Network, Identity, SiteMagic VPN, and InnerSpace) without any UniFi hardware. If you’re on Windows, you can run UniFi OS Server locally using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux).

This guide walks you through how to install and run UniFi OS Server on Windows 10 or 11. Let's dive in!

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What is UniFi OS Server?

UniFi OS Server is a containerized version of Ubiquiti’s full UniFi platform, designed to run on your own hardware. It supports:

  • UniFi Network – manage APs, switches, and gateways
  • SiteMagic VPN – SD-WAN-style site-to-site VPN
  • UniFi Identity – SSO, device-level access control, RBAC
  • InnerSpace – RF analytics and floorplans

The software runs in a local container stack. You can use it entirely offline, or connect it to Ubiquiti’s Site Manager for remote access and cloud integrations.

Prerequisites

To run UniFi OS Server on Windows, you need:

  • Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux v2)
  • A Linux distribution installed (Ubuntu recommended)
  • At least 20 GB free disk space
  • 2+ cores and 2–4 GB RAM
  • Admin privileges

Step 1 – Enable WSL2

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

bash
wsl --install

If WSL is already installed, ensure version 2 is set as default:

bash
wsl --set-default-version 2

Restart your system if prompted.

Step 2 – Install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store

Search for Ubuntu in the Microsoft Store and install it. Open it once to complete initial setup.

You now have a Linux environment running inside Windows.

Step 3 – Download the UniFi OS Server installer

Download the official Windows installer for UniFi OS Server:

Double-click the .msi file to start installation. It will automatically detect your WSL environment and deploy the UniFi container stack inside it.

Step 4 – Launch UniFi OS Server

Once installed, open UniFi OS Server from the Start Menu.

It may take a few minutes to initialize the environment on first launch. Once ready, it will be available at:

bash
https://localhost:11443

You may see a browser warning due to a self-signed certificate.

Step 5 – Initial configuration

When the interface loads:

  • Name your UniFi OS Server
  • Sign in with your Ubiquiti account (optional but recommended)
  • Import a .unf or .uoss backup if migrating
  • Install additional modules like SiteMagic, Identity, or InnerSpace under Settings > Control Plane

You can skip account login for offline-only deployments, but you’ll lose access to Site Manager, Teleport, and other cloud-linked features.

Step 6 – Keep it running

  • UniFi OS Server continues running in the background
  • Closing the window does not stop the service
  • Use the tray icon or Task Manager to stop it manually
  • Reopen from the Start Menu to restart the stack

Optional: Secure it for production

If you're running UniFi OS Server for client networks or in production, consider configuring:

  • SSL certificate (via Let’s Encrypt or internal CA)
  • Regular backup automation
  • Monitoring (logs, resource usage, alerts)
  • Firewall and port controls
  • Update/test processes for new UniFi versions

Things to take into account

  • No support yet for UniFi Protect, Talk, or Access
  • Still Early Access
  • Some users see a “Network offline” message briefly on startup
  • Self-signed cert used by default
  • No built-in update system (you’ll need to track releases manually)

Final Thoughts

UniFi OS Server is now available on Windows through WSL2, giving you full access to advanced UniFi features without Ubiquiti hardware. Setup takes about 15 minutes and gives you full control of your UniFi stack (locally or across distributed sites).

It’s ideal for network admins testing or deploying UniFi without Cloud Keys or Dream Machines.

If you want to run the full UniFi OS stack, but without managing containers, updates, backups, or security, we’ve got you covered.

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