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Table of Contents
virt-install examples
Windows 98
Note that not all Windows 98 CD-ROMS are bootable. Most require a boot floppy. However, the OEM version of Windows 98 SE is bootable.
virt-install \ --virt-type kvm \ --name windows98-test \ --cdrom /windows98.iso \ --os-variant win98 \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,password=foobar --noautoconsole \ --disk size=50 \ --memory 128 \ --network model=rtl8139,network=bridged
You need to connect to the guest before 10 seconds have passed to choose the correct boot option. If that is too short, then you can temporarily suspend the guest immediately after the virt-install command, connect via VNC, then resume the guest.
Also, multiple reboots may be required to install this OS. You may need to set the CDROM as boot device for longer than just the first boot.
Windows XP
virt-install \ --virt-type kvm \ --name windowsxp-test \ --cdrom /WindowsXP.iso \ --os-variant winxp \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,password=foobar \ --noautoconsole \ --disk pool=kvm,size=100 \ --memory 2048 \ --network model=rtl8139,network=bridged
Special about this case, is that we use the winxp os variant, and the rtl8139 network adapter. The i1000 network adapter does not seem to be supported by default.
Windows Server 2022
virt-install \ --virt-type kvm \ --name windows2022-test \ --cdrom /SW_DVD9_Win_Server_STD_CORE_2022_2108.32_64Bit_English_DC_STD_MLF_X23-73837.ISO \ --os-variant win2k22 \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,password=foobar --noautoconsole \ --disk size=50 \ --memory 4096 \ --tpm backend.type=emulator,backend.version=2.0,model=tpm-tis \ --boot loader=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd,loader_ro=yes,loader_type=pflash,nvram_template=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.ms.fd \ --network network=bridged
Windows 11
This example installs Windows 11 on a host with an emulated TPM, a 50 GB hard disk and 4 GB of memory.
virt-install \ --virt-type kvm \ --name windows11-test \ --cdrom /path/to/Win11Multi_21H2_English_x64v1.iso \ --os-variant win11 \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,password=foobar --noautoconsole \ --disk size=50 \ --memory 4096 \ --tpm backend.type=emulator,backend.version=2.0,model=tpm-tis \ --boot loader=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd,loader_ro=yes,loader_type=pflash,nvram_template=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.ms.fd
Windows 10
See Windows 11 example, but you can ignore the tpm and boot options if you don't need them. Use win10 for the os-variant.
Debian 11
virt-install \ --virt-type kvm \ --name debian11-test \ --cdrom /debian11.iso \ --os-variant /debian11.iso \ --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,password=foobar --noautoconsole \ --disk size=50 \ --memory 4096 \ --tpm backend.type=emulator,backend.version=2.0,model=tpm-tis \ --boot loader=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd,loader_ro=yes,loader_type=pflash,nvram_template=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.ms.fd \ --network network=bridged
Common useful options
This is the default option that is used for a network adapter. You can use it explicitly to e.g. generate a network adapter with a specific MAC address:
--network network=default,model=e1000,mac=00:11:22:33:44:55