Proxmox VM Set Up

Install Files

To start, you'll need to download some files. The 2 files you need are the Server ISO and the VirtIO Driver. You can download the latest stable release at the link below:

Windows Server Evaluation ISO
Windows VirtIO
- Download the latest stable release.

When configuring ~~you're~~your VM use the following settings to ensure you're VM can boot correctly:

OS Configs

Change your guest OS type to MS Windows and select the correct version

System Configs

Select q35 for Gen2, default is i440fx
Change BIOS to OVMF(UEFI), default is SeaBIOS
Change your SCSI Controller to VirtIO SCSI, default is VirtIO SCSI Single
Check Qemu Agent

Disk Configs

Change your BUS/Device to VirtIO Block, default is IDE
Change cache to Write Back, default is No Cache

CPU Configs

Change type to Host, default is x86-64-v2-AES

Memory Configs

Make sure Ballooning Device is enabled so RAM that isn't being used can be freed

VM Hardware

Once created, select your VM and navigate to the hardware section. Select Add, and add CD/DVD device. Here, you'll add the VirtIO driver. I've already added it, so you'll see 2 CD/DVD Drives.

Installation

Start your VM to begin installation and navigate into the console section of your VM. Select defaults as desired. Once the installer reaches installation type, select Custom:

Here, you'll load the VirtIO driver:

Select Browse, then select the following:

CD Drive (D:) virtio-win-X.X.XXX ---> amd64 ---> 2k22

Select the Red Hat VirtIO SCSI Controller, then click next:

Once installed, it will ask you what disk you'd like to use. Select the Disk and then continue the install. Once the device reboots, you'll be prompted to enter an admin password, then you should arrive at the following screen:

Final Steps

The last thing you'll need to do is install the VirtIO win-guest tools and then remove boot drives attached to the VM to ensure proper installation.

Launch the virtio-win-guest-tools application as administrator by navigating as follows:
- File Explorer --> CD Drive (D:) --> virtio-win-guest-tools
- - Select defaults for installer, then close out and power off VM.

Next, remove the CD Drive for VirtIO from the Hardware section of your VM in Proxmox, and then configure the Server ISO CD/Drive to "Do not use any media":

Your installation of Windows Server is now complete!