While official images aren't available, some third-party sources offer pre-configured or "cloud" images:
To get a for download (typically used with QEMU/KVM, Proxmox, or libvirt), here’s your practical guide:
If you need absolute control over updates, build your own QCOW2. This ensures the latest Windows updates are already applied.
qemu-img create -f qcow2 /var/lib/libvirt/images/win10.qcow2 80G
: The standard way to get an ISO is through the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool . Select "Create installation media (ISO file)" when prompted.
To get a Windows 10 .qcow2 file, you must either download an ISO and convert it yourself or use specific developer-oriented virtual machine (VM) images that require conversion. 1. Recommended Method: ISO to QCOW2 Conversion
virt-install --name win10 --ram 4096 --disk path=win10.qcow2,format=qcow2 --os-variant win10 --cdrom /path/to/Win10_22H2.iso --disk path=virtio-win.iso,device=cdrom --graphics spice
: You can download 90-day evaluation versions of Windows 10 Enterprise in ISO format, which can then be converted using the command: qemu-img convert -f raw -O qcow2 windows10.iso windows10.qcow2 . 3. Community and Archive Downloads
Includes later builds with better KVM/virtio driver support. Time Savings: Avoids the "Getting Windows Ready" loop. Where to Find and Download Windows 10 QCOW2 Files
Pre-installed images can be configured with default user accounts and networking. Efficiency: Thin provisioning saves host disk space. Where to Find Windows 10 QCOW2 File Downloads
Microsoft does provide official QCOW2 images. Instead:
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This comprehensive guide covers how to find official Windows 10 images, convert them to QCOW2 format, update them efficiently, and deploy them in your virtualized environment. Direct Answer: Quick Setup Workflow
Save this as update-win10-qcow2.sh to refresh your image monthly:
There are two ways to get a Windows 10 QCOW2 file. The "Lazy" way (using a pre-built image) and the "Official" way (converting an ISO).
