Skip to content

weichertlabs.com

WeichertLabs

        • CyberSecurity
        • AI
        • Network
      • Blog
    weichertlabs.com→Guides→OS→Create Windows Server GUI Template

    Create Windows Server GUI Template in Proxmox

    This guide walks you through how to prepare a clean Windows Server installation and convert it into a reusable Proxmox template – ideal for fast, repeatable VM deployments in lab environments.

    What you’ll learn:

    – Installing VirtIO drivers

    – Running full system updates

    – Performing Sysprep (generalization)

    – Cleaning up ISO mounts

    – Converting the VM to a Proxmox template

    Once done, you can instantly clone Windows VMs without repeating the setup.

    operating systems Guides

    ✴

    Please note: All guides and scripts are provided for educational purposes. Always review and understand any code before running it – especially with administrative privileges. Your system, your responsibility.

    ✴

    Use at your own risk: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, I cannot take responsibility for issues caused by applying tutorials or scripts. Test in a safe environment before using in production.

    Step 1 – Initial Setup

    1. After installing Windows Server, set a administrator password.
    2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to log in and enter your password.
    3. Adjust the time zone if necessary.
    4. Open File Explorer and navigate to the virtio-win CD/DVD drive:
      • Run virtio-win-guest-tools.exe
      • Follow the installation steps (usually just “Next” → “Install All”)
      • This installs drivers needed for Proxmox virtual hardware.

    Screenshots & Code Snippets

    1.Choose_Admins_Password
    2.Pres_Ctrl_Alt_Del
    3.Adjust_Time
    4.Install_Virtio_Drivers

    Step 2 – System Setup

    1. Go to Settings → Update & Security:
      • Let Windows download and install updates.
      • Click “Restart now” once installation is complete.
      • After the reboot, log in and check for any remaining updates.
      • Repeat until Windows is fully updated.
    2. If you want specific programs or configurations available on every VM cloned from this template – install/configure them now.

    Screenshots & Code Snippets

    1.Control_Panel
    2.Open_Update
    3.Install_Updates

    Step 3 – Generalize with Sysprep

    1. Open File Explorer and navigate to:
      C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\
      • Launch Sysprep.exe
      • Select:
        • System Cleanup Action: Enter System Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
        • Check: Generalize
        • Shutdown Options: Shutdown
      • Click OK and wait for Windows to shut down.

    Screenshots & Code Snippets

    1.Navigate_and_Start_Sysprep
    2.Run_Sysprep

    Step 4 – Cleanup ISO Mounts (Optional)

    1. In the Proxmox Hardware tab for the VM:
      • Remove one of the CD/DVD drives
      • Edit the remaining one and set it to “Do not use any media”
      • This avoids boot errors later if the ISO files are deleted.

    Screenshots & Code Snippets

    1.Remove_CD
    2.Remove_Media

    Step 5 – Create the Template & Clone

    1. Right-click the Windows Server VM in the Proxmox sidebar →Select “Convert to Template” → Confirm.

    Screenshots & Code Snippets

    1.Select_Create_Template
    2.Confirm

    Create a Windows Server Template in Proxmox (Video Guide)

    This video demonstrates the post-installation setup of a Windows Server with a graphical user interface (GUI) in Proxmox VE. It begins right after the OS installation is complete and walks through configuring the system, installing VirtIO drivers, applying updates, running Sysprep, and converting the VM into a reusable Proxmox template for future deployments.

    weichertlabs.com

    Download

    Visit Ollie

    Twitter

    Visit Mike

    © 2025 · Powered by WordPress and Ollie

    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook