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Create Machine

Create Windows VM

Commands to create a Windows 11 Virtual Machine Using NAT

virt-install \
  --name win11 \
  --ram 8192 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win11 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot uefi \
  --hvm \
  --cdrom /iso/windows11.iso \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win11.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio \
  --disk path=/iso/virt.iso,device=cdrom \
  --network network=default,model=virtio \
  --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0 \
  --video qxl

Commands to create a Windows 11 Virtual Machine Using br0 (Bridge)

virt-install \
 --name win11 \
 --ram 8192 \
 --vcpus 4 \
 --cpu host-passthrough \
 --os-variant win11 \
 --machine q35 \
 --boot uefi \
 --hvm \
 --cdrom /iso/windows11.iso \
 --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win11.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio \
 --disk path=/iso/virt.iso,device=cdrom \
 --network bridge=br0,model=virtio \
 --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0 \
 --video qxl

Create a VM with PXE as boot source Method 1

virt-install \
  --name win11-1 \
  --ram 8192 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win11 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot uefi,network \
  --hvm \
  --pxe \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win11-1.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio \
  --network bridge=br0,model=virtio \
  --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0 \
  --video qxl

Create a VM with PXE as boot source Method 2

virt-install \
  --name win11-1 \
  --ram 8192 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win11 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot loader=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE_4M.fd,loader.readonly=yes,loader.type=pflash,nvram.template=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS_4M.fd,bootmenu.enable=yes \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win11-1.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio,boot.order=1 \
  --network bridge=br0,model=virtio,boot.order=2 \
  --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0 \
  --video qxl \
  --pxe

Spice Enabled VM PXE and CDROM Method 2 

virt-install \
  --name win11-1 \
  --ram 8192 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win11 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot loader=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE_4M.fd,loader.readonly=yes,loader.type=pflash,nvram.template=/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS_4M.fd,bootmenu.enable=yes \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win11-1.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio,boot.order=1 \
  --disk path=/iso/virt.iso,device=cdrom,readonly=on \
  --network bridge=br0,model=virtio,boot.order=2 \
  --graphics spice,listen=0.0.0.0,port=5901 \
  --video qxl \
  --sound ich9 \
  --channel spicevmc \
  --pxe

Spice Enabled VM with 2 CDRoms 

virt-install \
  --name win2025 \
  --ram 12288 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win2k22 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot hd,cdrom,menu=off \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win2025.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio \
  --cdrom /iso/Server2025.iso \
  --disk path=/iso/virt.iso,device=cdrom,readonly=on \
  --network bridge=br0,model=virtio \
  --graphics spice,listen=0.0.0.0,port=5925 \
  --video qxl \
  --sound ich9 \
  --channel spicevmc

Create a VM with a secondary drive 

virt-install \
  --name win2022 \
  --ram 12288 \
  --vcpus 4 \
  --cpu host-passthrough \
  --os-variant win2k22 \
  --machine q35 \
  --boot hd,cdrom,menu=off \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win2025.qcow2,size=60,bus=virtio \
  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/win2022-data.qcow2,size=500,bus=virtio \
  --cdrom /iso/server2022.iso \
  --disk path=/iso/virt.iso,device=cdrom,readonly=on \
  --network bridge=br0,model=virtio \
  --graphics spice,listen=0.0.0.0,port=5925 \
  --video qxl \
  --sound ich9 \
  --channel spicevmc

Note about PXE Config

Boot to HD after imaging

Method 1

  1. once the VM is deployed, shut down the VM and edit the VM
sudo virsh edit NAMEOFVM
  1. Remove or change the following section
<boot dev='network'/>

to

<boot dev='hd'/>

Method 2

Use the UEFI Variables

  1. Install additional packages
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ovmf
  1. Verifiy that files are installed
find /usr/share -name 'OVMF*.fd'
  1. Use the above creation script to use this method
CommandsEnable Spice