Ensure you have access to the Proxmox web UI and have appropriate storage configured for ISO downloads
Info: These steps will guide you through setting up a Windows Server 2025 VM on Proxmox 6 or 7
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Log into the Proxmox web UI
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Click on the node name for dropdown
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Select a storage from the left navigation pane to upload the Windows server .iso to. Example local(pve)
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Click ISO Images in the left sub-navigation pane
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For Proxmox 6:
- Download the Windows Server 2025 ISO: Archive.org
- Download the VirtIO driver ISO: Fedorapeople
- Upload both files to the Proxmox ISO image library
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For Proxmox 7 and above:
- Click Download from URL, paste the provided links, and click Query URL → Download
- Right-click the Proxmox node name → Create VM
- Assign a unique VM ID and Name → Next
- Set:
- Type to Microsoft Windows
- Version to 11/2025
- Select the Server 2025 ISO
- Check the box for Add additional drive for VirtIO drivers and select the VirtIO driver ISO for the ISO Image box
Warning: Ensure correct BIOS settings to prevent boot failures
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System Tab:
- BIOS:
SeaBIOS
- Enable/disable TPM and select its storage device.
- Check Qemu Agent.
- Set SCSI Controller to
VirtIO SCSI.
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Disks Tab:
- Storage device & Disk size: Minimum 40GB.
- Bus/Device:
VirtIO Block.
- Cache:
Write back.
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CPU Tab:
- Set Cores to 2 or more.
- Type:
host.
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Memory Tab:
- Allocate 4096 MB or more.
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Network Tab:
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Verify the summary and click Finish.
- Select Server 2025 VM → Hardware.
- Check to ensure the presence of 2 CD/DVD Drives, one for Server ISO the other for VirtIO ISO
IF Not
-- Click Add → CD/DVD Drive.
-- Select the VirtIO driver ISO.
-- Click OK.
- Right-click Server 2025 VM → Start.
- Click Console in the left sub-navigation pane.
- If prompted, press any key to boot into the CD/DVD drive.
- Set Language & Keyboard settings → Next.
- Click
I agree everything will be deleted → Next.
- Enter a Product Key or click
I don’t have a product key → Next.
- Select desired Windows edition → Next.
- Accept the License Terms.
- Click Load Driver → Browse VirtIO driver disc.
- Expand
amd64\2k25 → OK → Next.
- Select Unallocated Space → Next → Install.
Success: Windows will copy files and reboot multiple times.
- If prompted, enter a Product Key or click
Do this later.
- Set an Administrator password → Finish.
- Click Keyboard icon →
Ctrl-Alt-Del.
- Log in with the Administrator password.
- Welcome to Windows Server 2025! 🎉
Info: These steps enhance performance and stability
- Open File Explorer → Navigate to VirtIO Disc.
- Right-click
virtio-win-guest-tools.exe → Run as administrator.
- Step through the installer, accepting defaults.
- Shutdown the VM.
- In Proxmox, go to Hardware.
- Select CD/DVD Drive with VirtIO ISO → Remove → Yes.
- Double-click remaining CD/DVD drive →
Do not use any media → OK.
- Click Start to reboot the VM.
- Open Console.
Congratulations! Your Windows Server 2025 VM is successfully configured. 🚀