Create a KVM virtual machine in Proxmox VE step by step

Creating a Proxmox VM takes a few minutes once you know which options matter. This guide walks through the Create VM wizard with sensible defaults for Linux and Windows guests, so the VM is fast and easy to manage.

Before you start

• A working Proxmox VE host (install Proxmox VE).
• An installation ISO, for example Ubuntu Server or Debian.
• A network bridge (normally vmbr0) and storage for disks, such as local-lvm.

Upload the ISO

1. In the web UI select your node, then local → ISO Images.
2. Click Upload to send a file from your PC, or Download from URL to fetch it straight to the server (faster).

Create the Proxmox VM

1. Click Create VM at the top right.
2. General: choose the node, a VM ID and a name.
3. OS: select the ISO and the guest OS type (Linux or Windows).
4. System: tick Qemu Agent. Keep the default machine type; use OVMF (UEFI) only if the guest needs it.
5. Disks: bus VirtIO Block or SCSI with controller VirtIO SCSI single, enable Discard on SSD storage, and set the size.
6. CPU: set cores and choose CPU type host for best performance on a single node (use a generic type such as x86-64-v2-AES if you migrate between different CPUs).
7. Memory: set RAM in MiB.
8. Network: bridge vmbr0, model VirtIO (paravirtualized).
9. Confirm, tick Start after created and finish.

Install the OS and guest agent

1. Open the VM's Console and complete the installer.
2. After the first boot, install the agent inside Linux guests:

apt install qemu-guest-agent -y && systemctl enable --now qemu-guest-agent

The VM summary then shows its IP addresses, and shutdowns and backups work cleanly.

Check afterwards

• The VM's summary page shows the guest IPs (agent working).
• Remove the ISO from Hardware → CD/DVD so it does not boot the installer again.
• Take a first backup or turn the VM into a template (cloud-init templates).

Troubleshooting

• "KVM virtualisation configured, but not available": enable VT-x/AMD-V in the BIOS (how to enable).
• Installer finds no disk (Windows): load the VirtIO storage driver from the driver ISO.
• No network in the VM: check the bridge and that the VM's IP is valid for your network.

Frequently asked questions

VirtIO Block or SCSI?

Both are fast. SCSI with VirtIO SCSI single supports discard and IO threads and is the common default today.

Should I use CPU type host?

Yes for best speed, unless you need live migration between different CPU models.

How do I clone a VM?

Right-click it and choose Clone, or convert it into a template first for faster clones.

Next steps

• Create a cloud-init template
• Back up VMs with vzdump
• Proxmox bridges and VLANs