How to properly update VirtIO Drivers in Windows Server VM?

E

epionier

New Member
Oct 21, 2024
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Hello,

I searched the forum but did not find a proper solution. Also I did not find an article on Fedora site.
I am coming from ESXI so I am not really aware how to update VirtIO Drivers, etc. in full extent.

I have a Windows Server 2019 VM that was installed according to: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Windows_2019_guest_best_practices

In the meantime there are new VirtIO drivers: https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/archive-virtio/?C=M;O=D

Is it sufficient to run: virtio-win-guest-tools.exe in the VM to update all relevant files / drivers or do I need to do something more?

I mean in the latest: virtio-win-0.1.285.iso ISO file there are a lot of folders and subfolders and I do not know if I have to update something from there manually via device manager?

Maybe someone can give some light in the dark
 
Last edited:
Here’s how I usually do it:
  1. Import the VM image from ESXi.
  2. Set up IDE drivers for the disk — Windows should boot up at this point.
  3. Then, attach the stable VirtIO ISO to the VM and install virtio-win-guest-tools.
  4. Depending on the situation, install any missing devices in Device Manager.
  5. Next, add a small virtio-scsi or virtio-blk disk to the VM.
  6. If Windows doesn’t recognize the new disk, install the appropriate drivers, bring the disk online, format it, and assign a drive letter.
  7. Reboot the VM and verify that the new disk is still visible and working correctly.
  8. Finally, shut down the VM, detach the primary disk, reattach it as a virtio-scsi or virtio-blk disk, and update the boot order in the VM settings.
 
Hello jjadczak,

thank you for your guideline but I wanted to know how to (fully) update a working VM with VirtIO drivers already installed.

I mean is it sufficient to run "virtio-win-guest-tools.exe" of the new Fedora version within the VM or do I need to do / install something manually from the ISO, too?
 
Running just virtio-win-guest-tools.exe from the mounted ISO is all I have ever done to update my Windows servers. Just bear in mind that if it updates the network adapter it will disconnect you if you're using RDP so be sure you have access to the server's console.

The numerous folders are useful for manual installation of specific drivers/tools for specific OSes.
 
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