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Running Windows 11 on Linux with KVM/QEMU

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This guide walks through the full process of running Windows 11 on Linux using KVM/QEMU and Virt-Manager, the most robust and future-proof setup available today.

While tools like VirtualBox still exist, KVM/QEMU has quietly become the gold standard on Linux.

It offers:

  • Near-native CPU performance

  • Excellent disk and network throughput

  • Proper UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM support

  • Long-term compatibility with Windows 11 updates


Before starting, make sure you have:

  • A Linux system with virtualization enabled in BIOS

    • Intel: VT-x / VT-d

    • AMD: SVM / IOMMU

  • At least 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)

  • Around 80 GB of free disk space

  • A Windows 11 ISO

  • The VirtIO drivers ISO

Step 1: Check Virtualization Support

Open a terminal and run:

egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

If the result is 1 or higher, virtualization is enabled.
If it returns 0, you’ll need to enable it in your BIOS before continuing.

Step 2: Install KVM, QEMU, and Virt-Manager

On Ubuntu / Debian-based systems:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y \
  qemu-kvm \
  libvirt-daemon-system \
  libvirt-clients \
  virt-manager \
  virtinst \
  bridge-utils \
  ovmf \
  swtpm

Enable libvirt:

sudo systemctl enable --now libvirtd

Add your user to the libvirt group:

sudo usermod -aG libvirt $USER
newgrp libvirt

This avoids permission headaches later.

Step 3: Download Required ISOs

Windows 11 ISO

Download directly from Microsoft:

VirtIO Drivers ISO

On your Linux host:

wget https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/stable-virtio/virtio-win.iso

Store both ISOs somewhere sensible, such as:

~/VMs/iso/

Step 4: Create Virtual Disk Storage

Create a fast, flexible virtual disk:

mkdir -p ~/VMs/win11
qemu-img create -f qcow2 ~/VMs/win11/win11.qcow2 80G

QCOW2 allows snapshots and grows only as needed.

Step 5: Launch Virt-Manager

virt-manager

Click Create New Virtual Machine and choose:

  • Local install media (ISO)

Select the Windows 11 ISO.

Set OS type to:

  • Windows → Windows 11

Step 6: Configure Windows 11 Requirements (Important)

Before starting the install, select “Customize configuration before install.”

Firmware

  • Use UEFI (OVMF)

  • Enable Secure Boot

TPM

  • Add hardware → TPM

  • Type: Emulated

  • Version: 2.0

Windows 11 will not install without this.

Step 7: CPU, Memory, and Devices

Recommended settings:

  • CPU model: host-passthrough

  • CPUs: As many cores as you can spare

  • Memory:

    • Minimum: 8 GB

    • Recommended: 12–16 GB

  • Disk bus: VirtIO

  • Network device: VirtIO

These settings are key to performance.

Step 8: Install Windows 11

Start the VM.

When the installer says “No drives found”:

  1. Click Load Driver

  2. Browse the VirtIO ISO

  3. Select:

    vioscsi → w11 → amd64

Your disk will appear. Continue the installation normally.

Step 9: Install VirtIO Guest Tools (Critical)

Once Windows boots to the desktop:

  1. Open This PC

  2. Open CD Drive (virtio-win)

  3. Run:

    virtio-win-guest-tools.exe

  4. Install all drivers

  5. Reboot

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