(Note: Qcow2 files expand as you use them. A 60G file will start small and grow up to 60GB as you add data.)
for Windows 11. To get a high-quality, secure .qcow2 file, the best practice is to download the official ISO and create the virtual disk yourself. 1. Best Official Path: Create Your Own Image The most reliable and secure way to obtain a Windows 11 Windows 11 Qcow2 Download BEST
echo "[4/6] Creating unattended installation XML..." cat > autounattend.xml << 'EOF' <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend"> <settings pass="windowsPE"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS"> <DiskConfiguration> <Disk> <DiskID>0</DiskID> <WillWipeDisk>true</WillWipeDisk> <CreatePartitions> <CreatePartition> <Order>1</Order> <Type>Primary</Type> <Size>500</Size> </CreatePartition> <CreatePartition> <Order>2</Order> <Type>Primary</Type> <Extend>true</Extend> </CreatePartition> </CreatePartitions> <ModifyPartitions> <ModifyPartition> <Order>1</Order> <PartitionID>1</PartitionID> <Format>NTFS</Format> <Label>System</Label> <Active>true</Active> </ModifyPartition> <ModifyPartition> <Order>2</Order> <PartitionID>2</PartitionID> <Format>NTFS</Format> <Label>Windows</Label> </ModifyPartition> </ModifyPartitions> </Disk> </DiskConfiguration> <ImageInstall> <OSImage> <InstallFrom> <MetaData wcm:action="add"> <Key>/IMAGE/NAME</Key> <Value>Windows 11 Pro</Value> </MetaData> </InstallFrom> <InstallTo> <DiskID>0</DiskID> <PartitionID>2</PartitionID> </InstallTo> </OSImage> </ImageInstall> <UserData> <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula> </UserData> </component> </settings> <settings pass="oobeSystem"> <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS"> <OOBE> <SkipEULAPage>true</SkipEULAPage> <SkipMachineOOBE>false</SkipMachineOOBE> <SkipUserOOBE>false</SkipUserOOBE> </OOBE> <UserAccounts> <LocalAccounts> <LocalAccount> <Name>kvmuser</Name> <Password> <Value>TempPass123!</Value> <PlainText>true</PlainText> </Password> <Group>Administrators</Group> </LocalAccount> </LocalAccounts> </UserAccounts> <AutoLogon> <Username>kvmuser</Username> <Password> <Value>TempPass123!</Value> <PlainText>true</PlainText> </Password> <Enabled>true</Enabled> </AutoLogon> </component> </settings> </unattend> EOF (Note: Qcow2 files expand as you use them
qemu-img convert -c -f qcow2 -O qcow2 windows11.qcow2 windows11-compacted.qcow2 ?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
If you need a minimal, server-oriented Windows 11 Qcow2 (ideal for cloud or headless KVM), cloud providers release optimized images.
– Best for automation
