Windows 11 machine in Promox settings

Installing Windows 11 on a Proxmox VM: Complete Tutorial
I'll walk you through the process of setting up a Windows 11 virtual machine in Proxmox that satisfies all the required hardware checks.
Prerequisites

Proxmox VE 7.0 or newer
Windows 11 ISO file
Virtio drivers ISO (optional but recommended)

Step 1: Create a New VM

Log in to your Proxmox web interface
Click on "Create VM" in the top right
In the General tab:

Enter a VM ID (or leave as default)
Give your VM a name (e.g., "Windows11")
Click Next



Step 2: OS Settings

In the OS tab:

Select "Microsoft Windows" as the Guest OS type
Version: "11/2022"
Click Next



Step 3: System Settings (Critical for Windows 11)

In the System tab:

Set "Machine" to "q35" (this is newer than i440fx)
Set "BIOS" to "OVMF (UEFI)"
Check "Add EFI Disk" (for Secure Boot support)
Set "SCSI Controller" to "VirtIO SCSI"
Check "Qemu Agent" (helpful for integration)
Click Next



Step 4: Disk Settings

In the Disks tab:

Bus/Device: "SCSI"
Storage: Select your desired storage pool
Disk size: Minimum 64GB (Windows 11 requirement)
Format: "qcow2" (default)
Click Next



Step 5: CPU Settings

In the CPU tab:

Sockets: 1
Cores: At least 2 (Windows 11 requirement)
Type: "host" (for best performance)
Click Next



Step 6: Memory Settings

In the Memory tab:

Set Memory to at least 4GB (Windows 11 requirement)
Leave ballooning device enabled
Click Next



Step 7: Network Settings

In the Network tab:

Bridge: Choose your network bridge (usually vmbr0)
Model: "VirtIO" (for best performance)
Click Next



Step 8: Confirm and Create VM

Review your settings
Click "Finish" to create the VM
Do NOT start the VM yet!

Step 9: Add TPM 2.0 (Required for Windows 11)

Select your new VM in the Proxmox interface
Go to the "Hardware" tab
Click "Add" and select "TPM"
Settings:

TPM Version: "v2.0"
Storage: Select your storage
Click "Add"



Step 10: Add CD/DVD Drives

Still in the Hardware tab:
Click "Add" → "CD/DVD Drive"
Select "Use CD/DVD disc image file (iso)"
Storage: Choose where your ISO is stored
ISO Image: Browse and select your Windows 11 ISO
Click "Add"
(Optional but recommended) Add a second CD/DVD drive for VirtIO drivers:

Repeat the process above
Select the VirtIO drivers ISO



Step 11: Enable Secure Boot (Required for Windows 11)

Go to the "Options" tab
Find "Boot Order" and edit it to ensure:

The CD/DVD drive is first
The hard disk is second
The EFI disk is included


Find "SMBIOS Settings" and set "Manufacturer" to "Microsoft"

Step 12: Install Windows 11

Start the VM
The Windows installation should begin
Follow the standard Windows 11 installation steps
If prompted for drivers during installation (for disk detection), load them from the VirtIO ISO if you added it

Step 13: Bypass TPM/Secure Boot Check (Alternative Method)
If you're still having issues with TPM/Secure Boot checks, you can use the registry bypass method:

When you reach the first Windows 11 setup screen, press Shift+F10 to open Command Prompt
Type regedit and press Enter
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
Create a new key named LabConfig
In the LabConfig key, create the following DWORD (32-bit) values:

BypassTPMCheck = 1
BypassSecureBootCheck = 1
BypassRAMCheck = 1


Close Registry Editor
Return to the setup and continue installation

Step 14: Post-Installation

After Windows 11 is installed, make sure to install Proxmox guest tools
Install any necessary VirtIO drivers if using VirtIO devices

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"This PC can't run Windows 11": Double-check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot settings
Disk not detected: You may need to load VirtIO SCSI drivers during installation
Poor performance: Install QEMU guest agent and VirtIO drivers
Installation hangs: Try increasing RAM allocation or changing CPU type

This configuration should satisfy all Windows 11 requirements and allow for a smooth installation process in Proxmox.