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Version: 3.0.0-alpha (Diátaxis)

How to install a Windows VM

Installing a Windows Server VM on Hikube requires several manual steps: preparing the ISO disks, creating the VM, installing Windows via VNC, and then loading the virtio drivers. This guide details the entire process.

Prerequisites​

  • kubectl configured with your Hikube kubeconfig
  • virtctl installed for VNC access
  • Windows Server 2025 license or evaluation (the evaluation ISO is used in this guide)
  • Sufficient storage space (approximately 70 Gi total)

Steps​

1. Create the Windows Server 2025 ISO disk​

Create an optical VMDisk containing the Windows Server installation ISO:

win-iso-disk.yaml
apiVersion: apps.cozystack.io/v1alpha1
kind: VMDisk
metadata:
  name: win2k25-iso
spec:
  source:
    http:
      url: https://software-static.download.prss.microsoft.com/dbazure/888969d5-f34g-4e03-ac9d-1f9786c66749/SERVER_EVAL_x64FRE_en-us.iso
  optical: true
  storage: 7Gi
  storageClass: replicated
kubectl apply -f win-iso-disk.yaml

2. Create the virtio drivers ISO disk​

The virtio drivers are essential for Windows to recognize disks and network in a KubeVirt environment:

virtio-drivers-disk.yaml
apiVersion: apps.cozystack.io/v1alpha1
kind: VMDisk
metadata:
  name: virtio-drivers
spec:
  source:
    http:
      url: https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/stable-virtio/virtio-win.iso
  optical: true
  storage: 1Gi
  storageClass: replicated
kubectl apply -f virtio-drivers-disk.yaml

3. Create the system disk​

Create an empty disk that will serve as the system disk for Windows:

win-system-disk.yaml
apiVersion: apps.cozystack.io/v1alpha1
kind: VMDisk
metadata:
  name: win-system
spec:
  source: {}
  optical: false
  storage: 60Gi
  storageClass: replicated
kubectl apply -f win-system-disk.yaml

4. Verify that all three disks are ready​

kubectl get vmdisk win2k25-iso virtio-drivers win-system

Expected output:

NAME              STATUS   SIZE   STORAGECLASS   AGE
win2k25-iso       Ready    7Gi    replicated     2m
virtio-drivers    Ready    1Gi    replicated     2m
win-system        Ready    60Gi   replicated     1m
Download time

Downloading the Windows ISO (~5 GB) may take several minutes depending on bandwidth. Wait until all disks are in Ready status.

5. Create the VMInstance​

Create the VM with the three attached disks. The system disk must be in the first position:

windows-vm.yaml
apiVersion: apps.cozystack.io/v1alpha1
kind: VMInstance
metadata:
  name: windows-server
spec:
  runStrategy: Always
  instanceProfile: windows.2k25.virtio
  instanceType: u1.xlarge
  external: true
  externalMethod: PortList
  externalPorts:
    - 3389
  disks:
    - win-system
    - win2k25-iso
    - virtio-drivers
kubectl apply -f windows-vm.yaml

Wait for the VM to start:

kubectl get vminstance windows-server -w

6. Access via VNC for installation​

Open a VNC session to the VM:

virtctl vnc windows-server

The Windows installer should start automatically from the ISO. Follow the standard installation steps:

  1. Choose the language and keyboard
  2. Click Install now
  3. Select the desired Windows Server edition
  4. Accept the license agreement
  5. Choose Custom installation

7. Load the virtio drivers during installation​

During the disk selection step, Windows will not detect any disks. You need to load the virtio drivers:

  1. Click Load driver
  2. Click Browse
  3. Navigate to the virtio drivers CD drive (usually E:\)
  4. Select the folder vioscsi\2k25\amd64 (storage controller)
  5. Click OK then Next

The 60 GB disk should now appear. Select it and continue the installation.

Network drivers

After installation, also install the network drivers (NetKVM) and memory balloon driver (Balloon) from the virtio CD for optimal performance. Navigate to the NetKVM\2k25\amd64 and Balloon\2k25\amd64 folders.

8. Post-installation: remove the ISO disks​

Once Windows is installed and functional, remove the ISO disks from the manifest to free resources and avoid booting from the ISO:

windows-vm.yaml
apiVersion: apps.cozystack.io/v1alpha1
kind: VMInstance
metadata:
  name: windows-server
spec:
  runStrategy: Always
  instanceProfile: windows.2k25.virtio
  instanceType: u1.xlarge
  external: true
  externalMethod: PortList
  externalPorts:
    - 3389
  disks:
    - win-system
kubectl apply -f windows-vm.yaml

You can then delete the ISO VMDisks if you no longer need them:

kubectl delete vmdisk win2k25-iso virtio-drivers

9. Configure RDP access (optional)​

The VM already exposes port 3389 (RDP). Retrieve the external IP address:

kubectl get vminstance windows-server -o yaml

Connect with your RDP client:

# Depuis Linux
xfreerdp /v:<IP-EXTERNE> /u:Administrator

# Depuis macOS (Microsoft Remote Desktop)
# Ajoutez un PC avec l'adresse <IP-EXTERNE>

Verification​

Verify that the Windows VM is running correctly:

kubectl get vminstance windows-server

Expected output:

NAME              STATUS    AGE
windows-server    Running   15m

Test RDP access on port 3389:

nc -zv <IP-EXTERNE> 3389

Going further​