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Create a Windows Server Core Template in Proxmox VE

Use at your own risk. All guides and scripts are provided for educational purposes only. Always review and understand any code before running it — especially with administrative privileges. Test in a safe environment before using in production. Your system, your responsibility.

This guide shows you how to prepare a Windows Server Core VM for templating in Proxmox VE — starting right after the OS installation is complete.

What you’ll learn:

  • Installing VirtIO drivers via PowerShell
  • Configuring time zone and system updates
  • Running Sysprep for generalization
  • Converting the VM into a reusable Proxmox template

This guide is ideal for anyone who regularly deploys Windows Server Core VMs in Proxmox and wants to save time using a pre-configured base image.

Video Guide

Step 1 – Install VirtIO Drivers

Since Windows Server Core has no GUI, everything is done through the command line menu or PowerShell.

  1. After installation, set the administrator password
  2. Select option 15 to enter PowerShell
  3. Navigate to the VirtIO driver disk (usually the D: drive): 
    D:
  4. List files to confirm you’re in the right location: 
    dir
  5. Run the VirtIO installer: 
    .\virtio-win-guest-tools.exe
  6. Follow the installation prompts to install all drivers
  7. Once complete, type exit to return to the main menu

Step 2 – Change Time Zone

  1. From the main menu, select option 9 (Date and Time)
  2. Click “Change time zone”
  3. Choose your time zone and click OK twice

Step 3 – Update the System

  1. From the main menu, select option 5 (Update Settings) and choose A for automatic updates
  2. Go back to the main menu and select option 6 (Install Updates)
  3. Select option 1 (All quality updates)
  4. When prompted, choose A to install all updates
  5. When asked to restart, choose Yes and wait for the reboot
  6. Log in again and go to option 6 once more to check for remaining updates
  7. Repeat until no more updates are available

Step 4 – Generalize with Sysprep

  1. From the main menu, select option 15 (PowerShell)
  2. Navigate to the Sysprep folder: 
    cd C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep\
  3. Run Sysprep: 
    .\sysprep.exe
  4. Configure the settings:
    • Check Generalize
    • Set Shutdown Options to Shutdown
  5. Click OK and wait for Windows Server to shut down automatically

Step 5 – Remove CD Drives and Create Template

  1. In Proxmox, select the VM and go to the Hardware tab
  2. Remove the lower CD/DVD drive — click Remove, then Yes
  3. Edit the remaining CD/DVD drive and set it to “Do not use any media”, click OK
  4. Right-click the VM in the Proxmox sidebar
  5. Select “Convert to Template” and confirm

Your Windows Server Core template is ready to clone.

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