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Windows Installer Shows No Disks

Overview

Common Windows Installation Issue

This occurs when the Windows installer lacks the storage driver for the VM’s disk bus type. The installer can't see the virtual disk because it doesn't have the appropriate driver loaded.

Understanding the Problem

Why This Happens

  • VirtIO/SCSI Disks - Windows doesn't include VirtIO drivers by default
  • Paravirtualized Storage - Modern VM storage requires specific drivers
  • Driver Missing - Windows installer needs the driver to access the disk
  • Common Issue - Affects most Windows versions on VirtIO storage

Load Drivers During Installation

This is the preferred method as it maintains optimal performance.

Step-by-Step Process

Driver Loading Process

  1. Prepare VirtIO ISO - Download VirtIO driver ISO from your panel
  2. Mount Windows ISO - Attach Windows ISO
  3. Start Installation - Boot from Windows ISO
  4. Reach Disk Screen - Continue until you see "Where do you want to install Windows?"
  5. Mount VirtIO ISOs - Attach VirtIO ISO
  6. Load Driver - Click "Load driver" link
  7. Browse VirtIO ISO - Navigate to the VirtIO driver ISO
  8. Select Driver - Choose the appropriate storage driver for your Windows version
  9. Continue Installation - Disk should now be visible
  10. Mount Windows ISO - Attach Windows ISO again and continue the installation

Finding the Right Driver

Driver Location

VirtIO drivers are organized by: - OS Version - Windows 10, 11, Server 2019, etc. - Architecture - x64 (64-bit) or x86 (32-bit) - Driver Type - Look for "viostor" (storage driver)

Example path: E:\viostor\w10\amd64\ for Windows 10 64-bit

Solution 2: Temporarily Switch Disk Bus

Alternative Approach

If VirtIO drivers aren't available, temporarily change the disk interface.

Process Overview

Performance Trade-off

This method works but may impact performance until VirtIO drivers are installed.

Steps

Disk Bus Change Process

  1. Stop VM - Ensure VM is completely stopped
  2. Change Disk Bus - In VM settings, change disk from VirtIO/SCSI to SATA or IDE
  3. Install Windows - Complete the Windows installation
  4. Install VirtIO Drivers - Download and install VirtIO drivers in Windows
  5. Switch Back - Change disk bus back to VirtIO/SCSI for better performance
  6. Restart VM - Reboot to use optimized drivers

Disk Bus Options

Interface Comparison

Bus Type Performance Compatibility Use Case
VirtIO Highest Requires drivers Production (recommended)
SCSI High Requires drivers Alternative to VirtIO
SATA Good Native Windows support Installation workaround
IDE Basic Universal compatibility Legacy systems only

Solution 3: Verify Disk Configuration

Basic Troubleshooting

Sometimes the issue is simpler than missing drivers.

Check VM Configuration

Verify Setup

  1. Disk Exists - Ensure VM has a virtual disk attached
  2. Disk Size - Verify disk size is greater than 0
  3. Not Unused - Check that disk is properly allocated
  4. Boot Order - Confirm CD/DVD is first in boot order

Common Configuration Issues

Quick Checks

  • No Disk Attached - VM was created without storage
  • Zero Size Disk - Disk was created but not allocated space
  • Wrong Boot Order - VM not booting from installation media
  • Multiple ISOs - Conflicting ISO attachments

Post-Installation Steps

Complete the Setup

After successful Windows installation:

Immediate Steps

Essential Post-Install Tasks

  1. Unmount ISOs - Remove Windows and VirtIO ISOs from CD/DVD drives
  2. Set Boot Order - Move hard disk to first position in boot order
  3. Install Updates - Run Windows Update to get latest patches
  4. Install VM Tools - Install guest additions for better integration

Optimize Performance

Performance Optimization

  • VirtIO Drivers - Ensure all VirtIO drivers are installed
  • Network Drivers - Install VirtIO network drivers for better performance
  • Balloon Driver - Install memory balloon driver for dynamic memory
  • Guest Agent - Install QEMU guest agent for better management

Advanced Troubleshooting

Driver Installation Issues

If Drivers Won't Load

  • Wrong Architecture - Ensure x64 drivers for 64-bit Windows
  • Corrupted ISO - Re-download VirtIO driver ISO
  • Multiple Versions - Try different driver versions
  • Manual Installation - Extract drivers and install manually

Alternative Solutions

Other Options

  • Pre-built Images - Use pre-configured Windows templates
  • Different Windows Version - Some versions have better driver support
  • Contact Support - Get assistance with driver configuration

Prevention Tips

Avoid Future Issues

  • Use Templates - Start with pre-configured Windows images when available
  • Keep VirtIO ISO - Always have VirtIO drivers ready
  • Document Process - Note working driver versions for future use
  • Test First - Verify installation process in test environment

FAQ

Which VirtIO driver version should I use?

Use the latest stable version that matches your Windows version. Check the VirtIO ISO for the most recent drivers.

Can I install Windows without VirtIO drivers?

Yes, by temporarily using SATA/IDE disk bus, but performance will be reduced until VirtIO drivers are installed.

Why doesn't Windows include VirtIO drivers?

VirtIO is a virtualization-specific technology. Windows includes drivers for physical hardware but not all virtualization platforms.

Will changing disk bus affect my data?

No, changing the disk bus type doesn't affect data on the disk, only how the OS accesses it.

How do I know if VirtIO drivers are working?

Check Device Manager in Windows. All devices should show as working properly without yellow warning icons.

Contact Support

Need Help?

  • Open Support Ticket - Use your client panel to create a support ticket
  • Installation Problems: Include Windows version and error details in your ticket
  • VM Configuration: Specify current disk bus and VM settings in your ticket

For general OS installation, see Install from ISO Guide