Installing the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows During Microsoft Windows Guest Installation

Before You Begin

Do the following before you start the installation process:

Obtain the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows from Oracle Software Delivery Cloud or MOS. See Downloading the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows.
Review the list of supported Microsoft Windows operating systems and any prerequisite hotfixes. See Supported Guest Operating Systems.

To install the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows during the installation of a Microsoft Windows guest, do the following:

Create the virtual machine, but do not start it.
Attach the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows ISO file to the virtual machine as an emulated IDE device. You can find the winvirtio.iso file in the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows zip file you downloaded.

Ensure that the Microsoft Windows installation ISO is attached to the virtual machine as the first IDE device. The Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows ISO file is typically the second IDE device.
Start the virtual machine and begin the Microsoft Windows installation process.
When the disk or partition screen displays, follow the prompts to browse and load drivers.

Navigate to the appropriate driver location on the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows ISO file and then select them.

The contents of the Oracle VirtIO Drivers for Microsoft Windows ISO file are as follows:

autorun.inf      # File that automatically runs the installation program.
fwcfg            # Directory that contains the license file for fwcfg null drivers.
Setup.exe        # The main graphical installation program.
NetKVM           # Directory that contains the license file for NetKVM drivers.
pvpanic          # Directory that contains the license file for pvpanic drivers.
viogpu           # Directory that contains the license file for viogpu drivers.
vioscsi          # Directory that contains the license file for vioscsi drivers.
vioserial        # Directory that contains the license file for vioserial drivers.
viostore         # Directory that contains the license file for viostore drivers.
balloon          # Directory that contains the license file for balloon drivers.

vio              # Base directory for drivers.
vio/Common       # Fwcfg null drivers for all Windows versions.

vio/Win10        # Drivers for Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022
vio/Win10/amd64  # 64-bit drivers.
vio/Win10/i386   # 32-bit drivers. {only Windows 10)

vio/Win8.1       # Drivers for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
vio/Win8.1/amd64 # 64-bit drivers.
vio/Win8.1/i386  # 32-bit drivers. (only Windows 8.1)

vio/Win8         # Drivers for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
vio/Win8/amd64   # 64-bit drivers.
vio/Win8/i386    # 32-bit drivers. (only Windows 8)

Repeat the preceding step to install other drivers as necessary and then continue with the Microsoft Windows installation process.

After you install the Microsoft Windows guest, you must configure Microsoft Windows policies. See Supported Guest Operating Systems.