# Inside Windows: sdelete -z c: (zero free space) # On host: qemu-img convert -O qcow2 -c windows11.qcow2 windows11_compacted.qcow2 The -c flag enables compression. For server admins or those who avoid virt-manager, use this command:
# Download Windows 11 Enterprise VHDX from Microsoft qemu-img convert -f vhdx -O qcow2 Windows11.VHDX windows11.qcow2 Note: The evaluation image expires after 90 days. Do not use it for production. A raw QCOW2 is fine, but you can do better. 1. Enable virtio-scsi for Better I/O Edit the VM XML (with virsh edit vm-name ) or use virt-manager to change disk bus from SATA to VirtIO SCSI . This reduces CPU overhead. 2. Add Cache Settings In the VM XML, set:
qemu-img convert -f vmdk -O qcow2 windows11.vmdk windows11.qcow2
# Inside Windows: sdelete -z c: (zero free space) # On host: qemu-img convert -O qcow2 -c windows11.qcow2 windows11_compacted.qcow2 The -c flag enables compression. For server admins or those who avoid virt-manager, use this command:
# Download Windows 11 Enterprise VHDX from Microsoft qemu-img convert -f vhdx -O qcow2 Windows11.VHDX windows11.qcow2 Note: The evaluation image expires after 90 days. Do not use it for production. A raw QCOW2 is fine, but you can do better. 1. Enable virtio-scsi for Better I/O Edit the VM XML (with virsh edit vm-name ) or use virt-manager to change disk bus from SATA to VirtIO SCSI . This reduces CPU overhead. 2. Add Cache Settings In the VM XML, set: windows 11 qcow2 download
qemu-img convert -f vmdk -O qcow2 windows11.vmdk windows11.qcow2 # Inside Windows: sdelete -z c: (zero free