Go back to the Proxmox Web UI, navigate to VM 105 > , double-click the Unused Disk , and attach it as a VirtIO Block or SCSI drive. Security Considerations and Risks
When the installer asks "Where do you want to install Windows?" the drive list will appear blank because Windows lacks native VirtIO storage drivers.
Running as a Qcow2 image is a popular strategy for developers and enthusiasts looking to deploy high-performance virtual machines (VMs) without the resource-heavy "bloat" of a standard Windows installation . By combining a debloated operating system with the flexible Qcow2 format, users can create snappy, efficient environments for QEMU/KVM, Proxmox, or GNS3. What is Windows 10 Lite? Windows 10 Lite Qcow2
The combination of a lightweight Windows 10 version with the Qcow2 format offers several advantages:
Standard Windows 10 requires roughly 20GB to 30GB of storage space right after installation. A Windows 10 Lite image can occupy of disk space. Because QCOW2 files only grow as data is added, transferring, copying, and backing up these templates takes seconds. 3. Ideal for Headless and Legacy Environments Go back to the Proxmox Web UI, navigate
Use virt-install or a graphical tool like virt-manager to install your Lite ISO onto the disk:
De-bloating Windows does not make it free. You still need a valid Windows 10 retail, OEM, or volume licensing key to legally activate the operating system. By combining a debloated operating system with the
Standard Windows 10 installations often consume 2GB+ of RAM and significant CPU cycles just to maintain idle background processes. "Lite" versions (often created using tools like MSMG Toolkit ) strip away: Windows Defender & Telemetry: Reducing disk I/O and privacy concerns. System Apps: Removing Cortana, Edge (legacy), and Microsoft Store. Disabling Print Spooler, Xbox services, and Tablet mode. 2. Why QCOW2?
(some ISOs are as small as 1.1GB) and use less memory at runtime. De-bloated:
