Proxmox VE is a powerful open-source virtualization platform widely used by system administrators and IT professionals. One of the most common use cases is running Windows Server 2022 as a virtual machine for Active Directory, File Server, or application hosting.

In this guide, you will learn how to install Windows Server 2022 on Proxmox VE using the graphical interface (GUI). This tutorial is designed for beginners and professionals who want a stable and best-practice setup.

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

• A working Proxmox VE server

• Windows Server 2022 ISO

• VirtIO drivers ISO

• Access to the Proxmox web interface

• Basic knowledge of virtualization concepts

Step 1: Upload Windows Server 2022 ISO

Log in to the Proxmox web interface and upload the Windows Server 2022 ISO to your ISO storage. This ISO will be used to boot the virtual machine during installation.

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

Create a new virtual machine in Proxmox VE and configure the following:

• OS type: Microsoft Windows

• Version: Windows Server 2022

• BIOS: OVMF (UEFI) or SeaBIOS

• Machine type: q35 (recommended)

• CPU and RAM according to your workload

Step 3: Configure Disk and Network

Use VirtIO for disk and network for better performance. During installation, Windows Server will require VirtIO drivers to detect the disk and network interfaces.

Step 4: Install Windows Server 2022

Start the virtual machine and follow the Windows Server installation wizard. When prompted for storage, load the VirtIO drivers to detect the virtual disk.

Step 5: Install VirtIO Drivers

After Windows installation is complete, install VirtIO drivers inside Windows Server to ensure optimal performance for disk, network, and memory ballooning.

Best Practices After Installation

• Enable Windows Updates

• Configure time synchronization

• Install guest agent

• Create a backup job in Proxmox

• Take a clean snapshot after installation

Conclusion

Installing Windows Server 2022 on Proxmox VE is straightforward when using the correct settings and VirtIO drivers. This setup provides a stable foundation for Active Directory, File Server, and enterprise applications.

This is Part 4 (P4) of the Proxmox VE series, focusing on Windows Server deployment using GUI.