03-15-2025, 10:10 AM
how to install a windows virtual machine on unRAID OS Pro
Here are the step-by-step instructions to install a Windows virtual machine on Unraid OS Pro:
**Prerequisites:**
* You have an existing Unraid server with Unraid OS Pro installed.
* You have a compatible CPU that supports hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
* You have enough free disk space and RAM for the VM.
**Step 1: Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI**
1. Restart your Unraid server and enter the BIOS settings by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot.
2. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and look for options related to virtualization (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
3. Ensure that both Virtualization Technology and Extended Page Tables are enabled.
**Step 2: Install VM Manager**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "Plugins" tab, then click on "Add Plugin".
3. Search for "VM Manager" (also known as "Virtual Machine Manager") and select it from the results.
4. Click "Install" to download and install the plugin.
**Step 3: Create a New VM**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "VMs" tab, then click on "Create VM".
3. Fill out the required information:
* **Name**: Choose a name for your Windows virtual machine (e.g., "Windows 10").
* **CPU Cores**: Select the number of CPU cores you want to allocate to this VM.
* **RAM**: Assign sufficient RAM memory for your VM (at least 2 GB).
* **Storage**: Allocate storage space from one or more disk pools. You can also create a new pool specifically for this VM if needed.
4. Click "Create" to save the settings.
**Step 4: Configure Network Settings**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your newly created Windows virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Edit".
3. In the VM configuration page:
* **Network**: Select a network interface (e.g., LAN or WAN) for this VM.
* **IP Address**: Assign an IP address from the pool you created earlier.
**Step 5: Install Windows**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your Windows virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Start".
3. The VM will boot up with a blank screen. You'll need to install Windows from scratch:
* Insert the installation media (USB drive or CD/DVD) for Windows.
* Follow the standard Windows installation process.
**Step 6: Configure Windows**
1. Once installed, configure your Windows virtual machine as desired (e.g., set up a user account, update and patch).
2. You can also install additional software, drivers, or tools if needed.
That's it! Your Windows virtual machine should now be running on Unraid OS Pro.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to install a Windows virtual machine on Unraid OS Pro:
**Prerequisites:**
* You have an existing Unraid server with Unraid OS Pro installed.
* You have a compatible CPU that supports hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
* You have enough free disk space and RAM for the VM.
**Step 1: Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI**
1. Restart your Unraid server and enter the BIOS settings by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot.
2. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and look for options related to virtualization (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
3. Ensure that both Virtualization Technology and Extended Page Tables are enabled.
**Step 2: Install VM Manager**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "Plugins" tab, then click on "Add Plugin".
3. Search for "VM Manager" (also known as "Virtual Machine Manager") and select it from the results.
4. Click "Install" to download and install the plugin.
**Step 3: Create a New VM**
1. Log in to your Unraid server using a web browser.
2. Go to the "VMs" tab, then click on "Create VM".
3. Fill out the required information:
* **Name**: Choose a name for your Windows virtual machine (e.g., "Windows 10").
* **CPU Cores**: Select the number of CPU cores you want to allocate to this VM.
* **RAM**: Assign sufficient RAM memory for your VM (at least 2 GB).
* **Storage**: Allocate storage space from one or more disk pools. You can also create a new pool specifically for this VM if needed.
4. Click "Create" to save the settings.
**Step 4: Configure Network Settings**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your newly created Windows virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Edit".
3. In the VM configuration page:
* **Network**: Select a network interface (e.g., LAN or WAN) for this VM.
* **IP Address**: Assign an IP address from the pool you created earlier.
**Step 5: Install Windows**
1. Go back to the "VMs" tab and select your Windows virtual machine.
2. Click on the three dots next to it, then click on "Start".
3. The VM will boot up with a blank screen. You'll need to install Windows from scratch:
* Insert the installation media (USB drive or CD/DVD) for Windows.
* Follow the standard Windows installation process.
**Step 6: Configure Windows**
1. Once installed, configure your Windows virtual machine as desired (e.g., set up a user account, update and patch).
2. You can also install additional software, drivers, or tools if needed.
That's it! Your Windows virtual machine should now be running on Unraid OS Pro.