[SOLVED] Struggling to get Windows 11 VM to boot

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LinuxNoob

New Member
Jul 15, 2025
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I wanted to try to learn how to make a workstation with multiple VMs as a summer project. This has been more difficult than I thought it would be and was wondering if someone could help me get windows to boot.

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I've done IDE and SCSI for the boot drives and numerous boot orders. If someone could guide me what to do to just get windows launched that would be very appreciated.
Thank you!
 
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Can you record the boot process? That timeout usually happens when you forget to press a key when the windows installer asks you to.
You should use IDE for the DVD drive and enable discard for the disk. Also see best practices.
 
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After changing the CD/DVD rom drive/s to IDE, choose the Windows installation DVD as one of the Boot devices together with your HD (but deselect the Virt ISO drivers DVD since this is not bootable anyway. Then BEFORE trying to start the VM, remove the EFI disk & readd a new EFI disk (maybe deselecting the pre-enrolled-keys option). Then try starting the VM.
 
gfngfn256 said:
After changing the CD/DVD rom drive/s to IDE, choose the Windows installation DVD as one of the Boot devices together with your HD (but deselect the Virt ISO drivers DVD since this is not bootable anyway. Then BEFORE trying to start the VM, remove the EFI disk & readd a new EFI disk (maybe deselecting the pre-enrolled-keys option). Then try starting the VM.
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The unused disk showed up after deleting EFI disk. I deselected pre-enrolled keys. CD ROM drivers were changed to IDE.
 
Try escaping in the VM console while booting (to enter the VM bios) & turn off the secure boot, at the end IIRC you will choose Reset.
 
gfngfn256 said:
Try escaping in the VM console while booting (to enter the VM bios) & turn off the secure boot, at the end IIRC you will choose Reset.
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This may sound like a dumb question but how do I enter my VMs bios? I am starting it then immediately tried spamming escape, delete, and F2. Three separate occasions for each key. Also I notice whether I press a key or I do not press a key during boot when told to "press a key to boot from CD/DVD" my console returns the same errors.
 
With the VM shutdown open the VM console. Then press the Start Now Button in the Middle & immediately start spamming the Esc key.
 
Happy you got it sorted, maybe mark this thread as Solved.
At the top of the thread, choose the Edit thread button, then from the (no prefix) dropdown choose Solved.
 
Not sure why this would solve it. The Windows 11 iso is supposed to be Secure Boot compatible.
 
Impact said:
Not sure why this would solve it. The Windows 11 iso is supposed to be Secure Boot compatible.
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My thinking: Probably having booted (with pre-enrolled-keys option) initially, with the incorrect drive buses etc. he somehow locked his secure-boot settings.
 
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