Use virt-install to define the hardware and point to the existing storage.
Before installing, you need to create a blank virtual hard drive where Windows will be installed. Use the command below to create a win10.qcow2 disk. The size should be at least 50 GB , but 80-100 GB is recommended for a comfortable experience: qemu-img create -f qcow2 win10.qcow2 80G
Do you intend to use this VM for , malware analysis , or general office tasks ? Windows 10.qcow2 Download
Run the QEMU instance, attaching both the Windows 10 setup ISO and the VirtIO driver ISO:
This comprehensive guide covers where to safely download these images, how to create your own, and how to deploy them on Proxmox, UNRAID, or Linux KVM environments. Where to Safely Download Windows 10 QCOW2 Images Use virt-install to define the hardware and point
Microsoft regularly updates these images with the latest security patches.
Point the search path to your mounted VirtIO CD-ROM drive. Windows will automatically detect and install the high-performance drivers. Advantages of Using Windows 10 in QCOW2 Format The size should be at least 50 GB
Some open-source projects provide tested, pre-installed Windows .qcow2 images for automation/testing. These usually require you to supply your own license.