Run the following command to boot from the ISO and install onto the qcow2 file:
To create a fresh image, you first define the storage and then run the installation: Windows 10 on KVM Windows 10.qcow2
You will need a Windows 10 ISO file and VirtIO drivers (crucial for performance in KVM). Run the following command to boot from the
By default, QEMU uses generic hardware which can be slow. For the best performance: This minimizes the file size and boosts virtualization
If you run out of space, you can enlarge the image (Windows will need to extend the partition later):
Once Windows 10 is fully installed, you should optimize the image before finalizing it as a reusable template. This minimizes the file size and boosts virtualization performance. Run Windows Updates and Clean Up Install all available Windows Updates to ensure security.
Open a terminal and run the following to create a 80GB dynamic Windows 10.qcow2 file: