Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE) is a powerful, open-source virtualization platform designed for running virtual machines (VMs) and containers. It combines the features of KVM-based virtual machines and LXC-based containers into a single, easy-to-manage interface. Many IT professionals, developers, and tech enthusiasts choose Proxmox for its flexibility, robust performance, and enterprise-grade features.
If you are running Windows 11 and want to experiment with Proxmox, you can install it alongside Windows using virtualization tools like VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or by creating a dual-boot setup. Installing Proxmox VE directly on Windows is not possible since Proxmox is a Linux-based OS, but virtualization allows you to safely run it on your Windows 11 machine without affecting your primary system.
This guide will walk you through everything—from checking system requirements and downloading necessary software to configuring Proxmox VE inside a virtual machine. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional Proxmox environment ready for testing, learning, and running virtual machines.
System Requirements for Proxmox VE on Windows 11
Before installing Proxmox, ensure your Windows 11 system meets the minimum requirements. Although Proxmox itself has modest requirements, running it inside a virtual machine requires sufficient resources from your host system.
Minimum Requirements:
- CPU: 64-bit processor with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)
- RAM: At least 8 GB (16 GB recommended for multiple VMs)
- Storage: Minimum 32 GB free disk space (SSD preferred for better performance)
- Internet Connection: Required for downloading updates and ISO files
- Software: Virtualization tool such as VMware Workstation Player or VirtualBox
Additional Recommendations:
- Enable hardware virtualization in BIOS/UEFI.
- Allocate at least 2 CPU cores and 4 GB RAM for Proxmox VM for smoother operation.
- Use a virtual disk with 20–40 GB for testing purposes.
Step 1: Enable Virtualization in Windows 11
Most modern CPUs support virtualization, but it may be disabled by default in BIOS. Proxmox VE requires a 64-bit CPU with hardware virtualization enabled.
- Check Virtualization Status:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Go to the Performance tab.
- Look under CPU. If you see “Virtualization: Enabled,” you’re good. If not, continue to the next step.
- Press
- Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing
Del,F2, orEscduring boot). - Find the option for Intel VT-x, Intel Virtualization Technology, or AMD-V.
- Enable it and save changes.
- Boot back into Windows 11.
- Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing
- Optional – Enable Hyper-V (Windows Feature):
- Press
Win + R, typeoptionalfeatures, and press Enter. - Check Hyper-V and click OK.
- Restart your PC if prompted.
- Press
Note: If using VMware Workstation, Hyper-V should be disabled to avoid conflicts. You can disable it using PowerShell:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Step 2: Download Required Software
To install Proxmox VE on Windows 11 via virtualization, you need the following:
- Proxmox VE ISO:
- Visit the official Proxmox download page: https://www.proxmox.com/en/downloads
- Download the latest Proxmox VE ISO installer.
- Virtualization Software:
- VMware Workstation Player (Free for Personal Use): https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html
- VirtualBox (Free): https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
- Optional – Rufus for Bootable USB (if installing Proxmox on bare metal): https://rufus.ie/
Step 3: Create a Virtual Machine for Proxmox
We’ll use VMware Workstation Player for this guide, though VirtualBox works similarly.
- Open VMware Workstation Player
- Click Create a New Virtual Machine
- Select Installer disc image file (ISO)
- Browse and select the downloaded Proxmox VE ISO
- Click Next
Virtual Machine Configuration:
- Guest OS: Linux → Debian 11.x 64-bit (Proxmox is Debian-based)
- Name: ProxmoxVE
- Location: Choose a location with enough free space
- Disk Size: 32–40 GB recommended (store as a single file for simplicity)
- Memory: At least 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)
- Processors: Minimum 2 cores
- Finish the wizard and create the VM.
Step 4: Install Proxmox VE
- Start the virtual machine. The VM will boot into the Proxmox installer.
- Select Install Proxmox VE using arrow keys and press Enter.
- Accept the EULA and continue.
- Select the target virtual disk.
- Configure country, time zone, and keyboard layout.
- Set a root password and provide an email address for notifications.
- Configure the network interface:
- IP Address: Static IP recommended for easier access
- Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS
- Review settings and confirm installation.
The installer will format the virtual disk and install Proxmox VE. This may take a few minutes.
Step 5: Access Proxmox Web Interface
Once installation completes, the VM will reboot.
- Note the IP address displayed in the VM console.
- Open a browser in Windows 11 and type:
https://<Proxmox-IP>:8006
Example:
https://192.168.1.100:8006
- Accept the security warning (self-signed certificate)
- Log in with username
rootand the password you set during installation
You should now see the Proxmox web dashboard, where you can create virtual machines, LXC containers, and manage storage and networking.
Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration
- Update Proxmox VE:
- Open a terminal in Proxmox web UI or SSH into Proxmox:
apt update && apt full-upgrade -y
- Add Proxmox Subscription (Optional):
- Free version works without a subscription but shows a warning in the dashboard
- You can continue using Proxmox without purchasing a subscription
- Configure Storage:
- Add local storage, network storage, or external drives for VM storage
- Use ZFS if experimenting with advanced storage features
- Enable Backups:
- Proxmox supports scheduled backups for VMs and containers
- Useful for testing environments
- Networking:
- Configure bridges for VM access to LAN or NAT
- Assign static IPs to VMs for better network management
Step 7: Create Your First Virtual Machine
- In the web UI, click Create VM
- Fill in VM ID, Name, and OS type
- Choose ISO image for the guest OS (e.g., Windows 11, Ubuntu)
- Configure CPU, RAM, and disk space
- Review settings and click Finish
The VM will appear in the dashboard, ready to start.
Best Practices and Tips
- Snapshots: Use snapshots before major changes to recover quickly
- Resource Allocation: Avoid overloading host RAM and CPU
- Networking: Use bridged networking to allow VMs to communicate with other devices on the network
- Security: Regularly update Proxmox and guest VMs
- Monitoring: Use Proxmox built-in monitoring to track VM performance
Optional – Install Proxmox on Bare Metal (Dual Boot with Windows 11)
If you want to run Proxmox VE natively:
- Backup all Windows data
- Create a bootable USB with Rufus and Proxmox ISO
- Boot from USB and install Proxmox on a separate partition
- Configure dual-boot using BIOS boot menu
Caution: This method replaces Windows bootloader and should only be attempted by advanced users.
Conclusion
Installing Proxmox VE on Windows 11 is an excellent way to explore virtualization, run multiple operating systems, and test containerized applications. Using a virtual machine in VMware Workstation or VirtualBox allows Windows users to safely experiment without altering their primary system. With the Proxmox web interface, creating VMs, managing storage, and configuring networks becomes intuitive.
Whether you’re a developer, IT professional, or tech enthusiast, Proxmox provides an enterprise-grade virtualization solution that can run on modest hardware. Following this guide, you can have a fully functional Proxmox environment on your Windows 11 machine, ready for learning, testing, and production use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I run Proxmox directly on Windows 11?
No, Proxmox is Linux-based. You need to use virtualization or dual-boot to run it alongside Windows.
Q2: Which is better, VMware Workstation or VirtualBox?
VMware generally offers better performance, while VirtualBox is free and open-source.
Q3: How much RAM should I allocate for Proxmox?
For testing, 4–8 GB is sufficient. For multiple VMs, allocate at least 16 GB.
Q4: Do I need a Proxmox subscription?
No, the free version works perfectly but shows a subscription warning in the dashboard.
Q5: Can I run Windows 11 as a VM inside Proxmox?
Yes, Proxmox fully supports Windows 11 as a guest VM.
