↓Skip to main content

How to install a slim down Windows 11 in a virtual machine on Proxmox VE

Virtualization Proxmox Windows Configuration Homelab

We install Windows 11 24H2 in a virtual machine (VM) on Proxmox VE. Then we slim down Windows with Atlas OS.

  1. Download a Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
  2. Download a VirtIO paravirtualized drivers ISO.
  3. Create a VM in Proxmox VE but do not start it.
    1. Hardware -> Processors. Change “Type” to “host”. Otherwise, at book up, keystorkes are not recognized at “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…”.
    2. Hardware -> Add (button) -> CD/DVD Drive. Add a second CDROM to the VM.
    3. Hardware -> Network Device. For “Model”, choose “VirtIO (paravirtualized)”.
    4. Hardware -> CD/DVD Drive (ide0). Choose the Windows ISO in the CD/DVD Drive device.
    5. Hardware -> CD/DVD Drive (ide2). Choose the VirtIO ISO in the CD/DVD Drive device.
  4. Start the VM and press a key to enter Windows installer.
  5. During installation, Internet will be unavailable. Load the VirtIO network driver from the mounted VirtIO ISO. Folder D:\amd\w11.
  6. We want a local account. At the “Let’s add your Microsoft account” screen, we will skip it like so:
    1. Press Shift + F10 to open up a Command Prompt window.
    2. Type oobe\bypassnro and hit Enter. The computer will restart.
    3. While is it restarting, go to virtual machine’s settings in Proxmox and disconnect the network. Hardware -> Network Device (net0) -> Edit. Check Disconnect". Click OK.
    4. Now we will see the option: “I Don’t Have Internet”. Choose that and proceed to give a user name for a local account.
  7. Proceed with installation. Reboot.
  8. Uncheck the disconnect we did earlier.
  9. Run Windows Update. Reboot.
  10. Install QEMU Guest Agent from the mounted VirtIO ISO. Run D:\virtio-win-guest-tools.exe.
  11. Install Atlas OS. Reboot.

Versions:

  • virtio-win-0.1.262.iso.
  • Windows 11 24H2 amd64.
  • Proxmox VE 7.4-19.

References: