Issues Resolved by this Article

This article resolves the following problems students frequently encounter:

• Windows installer does not detect the virtual disk

• Incorrect BIOS, TPM, or machine type configuration

• Problems selecting the correct Windows 11 and VirtIO ISO files

• Missing network/internet access after installation

• Confusion about driver loading during installation

• Difficulty booting from the ISO

• Not knowing how to properly delete the VM afterward

---

Background

Ensign College students use Proxmox servers to create Windows 11 VMs for coursework.
Because Windows 11 requires special drivers (VirtIO) inside Proxmox, the setup includes:

• Assigning correct VM hardware (TPM, UEFI, q35 machine)

• Selecting two ISO files: Windows 11 + VirtIO drivers

• Installing disk and network drivers during setup

• Properly shutting down or deleting the VM when finished

This guide walks you through the complete process step by step.

---

Solution

Follow these steps to successfully create and configure a Windows 11 VM in Proxmox.

---

Part 1 — Create the VM

1. Click Create VM

2. General Tab

• Leave VM ID as default

• Enter a VM Name

• Click Next

3. OS Tab

• ISO Image: Windows 11-Pro-Education.iso

• Type: Microsoft Windows

• Check Add additional drive for VirtIO drivers

• VirtIO ISO: virtio-win-0.1.285.iso

• Click Next

4. System Tab

• Machine: q35

• BIOS: OVMF (UEFI)

• Enable QEMU Guest Agent

• EFI Storage: local-lvm

• TPM Storage: local-lvm

Click Next

5. Disk Tab

Configure the disk as follows:

1. Bus/Device: SCSI

2. Storage: local-lvm

3. Disk Size: 70 GiB

4. Cache: Default (No cache)

5. Check Discard

6. Expand Advanced

7. Check SSD Emulation

Click Next

6. CPU Tab

• Cores: 4

• Type: host

Click Next

7. Memory Tab

•   Memory (MiB): 8184
•   Click Next

 

8. Network Tab

• Leave all default settings
• Click Next

9. Confirm Tab

Review all settings → Click Finish

 

Part 2 — Begin Windows Installation

10. Start the VM

• Select the VM

• Open Console

• Click Start Now

11. Boot from CD

Press Enter or any key immediately.
If you miss it:

• Stop the VM

• Start again and retry

 

Part 3 — Load VirtIO Disk Drivers

12. Click “Load Driver”

13. Click Browse

14. Select the VirtIO ISO Folder

Click virtio-win

15. Expand “amd64” Folder

16. Select the “w11” Folder & Click OK

17. Select the Driver & Click Install

18. Select the Newly Visible Disk & Click Next

19. Wait for Installation to Complete

The VM will restart a couple of times.

 

Part 4 — Install VirtIO Network Drivers After Setup

20. When Windows Loads, Install Network Drivers

Open File Explorer → This PC → CD Drive (D):

21. Run the VirtIO Driver Installer

Select the file: virtio-win-gt-x64.exe

22. Click Next

23. Accept the terms and click Next. 

24. Click Next Again 

25. Click Install. 

26. Click Finish. 

27. Confirm Internet Access

Your VM should now show network access in the taskbar.

 

Part 5 — Shutdown & Delete VM When Finished

Shutdown Instructions

Restart the VM once before your first use.
Always shut down your VM when done.

If you have issues, email: techlab@ensign.edu

---

Delete the VM When No Longer Needed

In Proxmox:

1. Select your VM

2. Click More → Remove

3. Check:

   • Purge from job configurations

   • Destroy unreferenced disks owned by guest

4. Click Remove

 

Type your VM ID number and select “Purge from job configurations” and “Destroy unreferenced disks owned by guest”, click “Remove.”