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---
layout: doc
title: Qubes Windows Tools
permalink: /doc/windows-tools/
redirect_from:
- /doc/windows-appvms/
- /en/doc/windows-appvms/
- /doc/WindowsAppVms/
- /wiki/WindowsAppVms/
- /doc/windows-tools-3/
- /en/doc/windows-tools-3/
- /doc/WindowsTools3/
- /doc/WindowsTools/
- /wiki/WindowsTools/
---
Qubes Windows Tools
===================
Qubes Windows Tools are a set of programs and drivers that provide integration of Windows AppVMs with the rest of the Qubes system. Currently the following features are available for Windows VMs after installation of those tools:
- **Qubes Video Driver** - provides for the Seamless GUI mode that integrates apps windows onto the common Qubes trusted desktop
- **File sender/receiver** - Support for [secure clipboard copy/paste](/doc/copy-paste/) between the Windows VM and other AppVMs
- ***File sender/receiver** - Support for [secure file exchange](/doc/copying-files/) between the Windows VM and other AppVMs
- **Copy/Edit in Disposable VM** - Support for editing files in DisposableVMs as well as for qvm-run and generic qrexec for the Windows VM (e.g. ability to run custom service within/from the Windows VM)
- **Xen PV drivers** for Windows that increase performance compared to qemu emulated devices
Below is a breakdown of the feature availability depending on the windows version:
| Feature | Windows 7 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| ------------------------------------ | :------------: | :------------: |
| Qubes Video Driver | + | - |
| Qubes Network Setup | + | + |
| Private Volume Setup (move profiles) | + | + |
| File sender/receiver | + | + |
| Clipboard Copy/Paste | + | + |
| Application shortcuts | + | + |
| Copy/Edit in Disposable VM | + | + |
| Block device | + | + |
| USB device | - | - |
| Audio | - | - |
Qubes Windows Tools are open source and are distributed under a GPL license.
NOTES:
- Qubes Windows Tools are currently unmaintained
- Currently only 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows 10 are supported by Qubes Windows Tools. Only emulated SVGA GPU is supported (although [there has been reports](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/qubes-users/cmPRMOkxkdA) on working GPU passthrough).
- __This page documents the process of installing Qubes Windows Tools on versions up to R3.2.__. Installation on Qubes R4.0 is possible but is a work in progress and there are limitations/bugs (see [issue #3585](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3585)).
Installing Windows OS in a Qubes VM
-----------------------------------
Please refer to [this page](/doc/windows-vm/) for instructions on how to install Windows in a Qubes VM.
NOTE: It is strongly suggested to enable autologon for any Windows HVMs that will have Qubes Tools installed. To do so, run `netplwiz` command from the `Win+R`/Start menu and uncheck the *Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer* option.
Installing Qubes guest tools in Windows 10 VMs
----------------------------------------------
This will allow you to install the Qubes Windows Tools on Windows 10 both as a StandaloneVM as well as a Template VM and a corresponding AppVM. But some features are not available:
> **Note:** seamless mode is currently not available for windows. Please check the top of this document for the full feature availability breakdown.
1. In the Windows 10 VM, download from the [XEN website](https://xenproject.org/downloads/windows-pv-drivers/windows-pv-drivers-9-series/windows-pv-drivers-9-0-0/) the installation kits for Xen bus (`xenbus`) and storage drivers (`xenvbd`) Version 9.0.0 (two files`xenvbd.tar`and `xenbus.tar`).
2. Use an archive extractor like [7-zip](https://www.7-zip.org/) to extract the contents of the `.tar` files.
3. Install `xenvbd` and `xenbus` by starting the file `dpinst.exe` from the `x64` directories of the extracted tar-files. If during installation, the Xen driver requests a reboot, select "No" and let the installation continue.
4. After installation, reboot.
5. Download the Qubes Windows Tools (`qubes-tools-4.0.1.3.exe`) from [the qubes FTP server](https://ftp.qubes-os.org/qubes-windows-tools/) and move it to `C:\`.
6. Check the integrity of the file `qubes-tools-4.0.1.3.exe`by comparing its hash checksum. This can be done using the Windows command `certutil` on the windows command prompt (`cmd.exe`) and specifying an appropriate hash algorithm like:
certutil --hashfile C:\qubes-tools-4.0.1.3.exe SHA256
And compare it the value to `148A2A993F0C746B48FA6C5C9A5D1B504E09A7CFBA3FB931A4DCF86FDA4EC9B1` (**it has to exactly match for security reasons**). If it matches, feel free to continue the installation. If not, repeat the download to make sure it was not corrupted due to a network problem. If keeps on not matching it might be an attacker attempting to do something nasty to your system -- Ask for support.
> **Note**: this is a workaround for installing the qubes windows tools on windows 10 since the standard way is broken.
7. Install Qubes Windows Tools 4.0.1.3 by starting `qubes-tools-4.0.1.3.exe`, not selecting the `Xen PV disk drivers` and the `Move user profiles` (which would probably lead to problems in Windows, anyhow). If during installation, the Xen driver requests a reboot, select "No" and let the installation continue - the system will be rebooted later.
8. Shut down Windows.
9. On a `dom0` terminal write: *(where `<VMname>` is the name of your Windows 10 VM)*
qvm-features <VMname> gui 1
10. Reboot Windows. If the VM starts, but does not show any window then shutdown Windows from the Qube manager and reboot Windows once more.
11. Now the system should be up, with QWT running correctly.
12. Lastly to enable file copy operations to a Windows 10 VM the `default_user` property should be set the `<username>` that you use to login to the Windows VM. This can be done via the following command on a `dom0` terminal: *(where `<VMname>` is the name of your Windows 10 VM)*
`qvm-prefs <VMname> default_user <username>`
> **Note:** If this property is not set or set to a wrong value, files copied to this VM are stored in the folder `C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile\Documents\QubesIncoming\<source_VM>`.
> If the target VM is an AppVM, this has the consequence that the files are stored in the corresponding TemplateVM and so are lost on AppVM shutdown.
Installing Qubes guest tools in Windows 7 VMs
---------------------------------------------
First, make sure that `qubes-windows-tools` is installed in your system:
~~~
sudo qubes-dom0-update qubes-windows-tools
~~~
(If the above command does not work, it could be that the Qubes Tools are not in the stable repo yet. Try installing from the testing repo instead.)
You can also install the package from testing repositories, where we usually publish new versions first:
~~~
sudo qubes-dom0-update --enablerepo=qubes-dom0-current-testing qubes-windows-tools
~~~
This package brings the ISO with Qubes Windows Tools that is passed to the VM when `--install-windows-tools` is specified for the `qvm-start` command. Please note that none of this software ever runs in Dom0 or any other part of the system except for the Windows AppVM in which it is to be installed.
Before proceeding with the installation we need to disable Windows mechanism that allows only signed drivers to be installed, because currently (beta releases) the drivers we provide as part of the Windows Tools are not digitally signed with a publicly recognizable certificate. To do that:
- Start command prompt as Administrator, i.e. right click on the Command Prompt icon (All Programs -> Accessories) and choose "Run as administrator"
- In the command prompt type `bcdedit /set testsigning on`
- Reboot your Windows VM
In the future this step will not be necessary anymore, because we will sign our drivers with a publicly verifiable certificate. However, it should be noted that even now, the fact that those drivers are not digitally signed, this doesn't affect security of the Windows VM in 'any' way. This is because the actual installation ISO (the `qubes-windows-tools-*.iso` file) is distributed as a signed RPM package and its signature is verified by the `qubes-dom0-update` utility once it's being installed in Dom0. The only downside of those drivers not being signed is the inconvenience to the user that he or she must disable the signature enforcement policy before installing the tools.
To install the Qubes Windows Tools in a Windows VM one should start the VM passing the additional option `--install-windows-tools`:
~~~
qvm-start lab-win7 --install-windows-tools
~~~
Once the Windows VM boots, a CDROM should appear in the 'My Computer' menu (typically as `D:`) with a setup program in its main directory.
After successful installation, the Windows VM must be shut down and started again, possibly a couple of times.
Qubes will automatically detect the tools has been installed in the VM and will set appropriate properties for the VM, such as `qrexec_installed`, `guiagent_installed`, and `default_user`. This can be verified (but is not required) using qvm-prefs command:
~~~
qvm-prefs <your-appvm-name>
~~~
NOTE: it is recommended to increase the default value of Windows VM's `qrexec_timeout` property from 60 (seconds) to, for example, 300. During one of the first reboots after Windows Tools installation Windows user profiles are moved onto the private VM's virtual disk (private.img) and this operation can take some time. Moving profiles is performed in an early boot phase when qrexec is not yet running, so timeout may occur with the default value. To change the property use this command in dom0:
~~~
qvm-prefs -s <vm-name> qrexec_timeout 300
~~~
Xen PV drivers and Qubes Windows Tools
--------------------------------------
Installing Xen's PV drivers in the VM will lower its resources usage when using network and/or I/O intensive applications, but *may* come at the price of system stability (although Xen's PV drivers on a Win7 VM are usually very stable). There are two ways of installing the drivers:
1. installing the drivers independently, from Xen's [official site](https://www.xenproject.org/developers/teams/windows-pv-drivers.html)
2. installing Qubes Windows Tools (QWT), which bundles Xen's PV drivers.
Notes about using Xen's VBD (storage) PV driver:
- **Windows 7:** installing the driver requires a fully updated VM or else you'll likely get a BSOD and a VM in a difficult to fix state. Updating Windows takes *hours* and for casual usage there isn't much of a performance between the disk PV driver and the default one; so there is likely no need to go through the lengthy Windows Update process if your VM doesn't have access to untrusted networks and if you don't use I/O intensive apps. If you plan to update your newly installed Windows VM it is recommended that you do so *before* installing Qubes Windows Tools (QWT). If QWT are installed, you should temporarily re-enable the standard VGA adapter in Windows and disable Qubes' (see the section above).
- the option to install the storage PV driver is disabled by default in Qubes Windows Tools
- in case you already had QWT installed without the storage PV driver and you then updated the VM, you may then install the driver from Xen's site (xenvbd.tar).
**Caution:** Installing the version 9.0.0 Xen drivers on Windows 7 (a system without QWT - QWT uninstalled) leads to an unbootable system. The drivers install without error, but after reboot, the system aborts the reboot saying `Missing driver xenbus.sys`.
- **Windows 10:** The version 9.0.0 Xen drivers have to be installed before installing Qubes Windows Tools. Installing them on a system with QWT installed is likely to produce a system which crashes or has the tools in a non-functional state. Even if the tools were installed and then removed before installing the Xen drivers, they probably will not work as expected.
With Qubes Windows Tools installed the early graphical console provided in debugging mode isn't needed anymore since Qubes' display driver will be used instead of the default VGA driver:
~~~
qvm-prefs -s win7new debug false
~~~
Using Windows AppVMs in seamless mode
-------------------------------------
> **Note:** This feature is only available for Windows 7
Once you start a Windows-based AppVM with Qubes Tools installed, you can easily start individual applications from the VM (note the `-a` switch used here, which will auto-start the VM if it is not running):
~~~
qvm-run -a my-win7-appvm explorer.exe
~~~
![windows-seamless-4.png](/attachment/wiki/WindowsAppVms/windows-seamless-4.png) ![windows-seamless-1.png](/attachment/wiki/WindowsAppVms/windows-seamless-1.png)
Also, the inter-VM services work as usual -- e.g. to request opening a document or URL in the Windows AppVM from another VM:
~~~
[user@work ~]$ qvm-open-in-vm work-win7 roadmap.pptx
~~~
~~~
[user@work ~]$ qvm-open-in-vm work-win7 https://invisiblethingslab.com
~~~
... just like in the case of Linux AppVMs. Of course all those operations are governed by central policy engine running in Dom0 -- if the policy doesn't contain explicit rules for the source and/or target AppVM, the user will be asked whether to allow or deny the operation.
Inter-VM file copy and clipboard works for Windows AppVMs the same way as for Linux AppVM (except that we don't provide a command line wrapper, `qvm-copy-to-vm` in Windows VMs) -- to copy files from Windows AppVMs just right-click on the file in Explorer, and choose: Send To-\> Other AppVM.
To simulate CTRL-ALT-DELETE in the HVM (SAS, Secure Attention Sequence), press Ctrl-Alt-Home while having any window of this VM in the foreground.
![windows-seamless-7.png](/attachment/wiki/WindowsAppVms/windows-seamless-7.png)
Changing between seamless and full desktop mode
-----------------------------------------------
You can switch between seamless and "full desktop" mode for Windows HVMs in their settings in Qubes Manager. The latter is the default.
Using template-based Windows AppVMs
-----------------------------------
Qubes allows HVM VMs to share a common root filesystem from a select Template VM, just as for Linux AppVMs. This mode is not limited to Windows AppVMs, and can be used for any HVM (e.g. FreeBSD running in a HVM).
In order to create a HVM TemplateVM one can use the following command, suitably adapted:
~~~
qvm-create --class TemplateVM win-template --property virt_mode=HVM --property kernel='' -l green
~~~
... , set memory as appropriate, and install Windows OS (or other OS) into this template the same way as you would install it into a normal HVM -- please see instructions on [this page](/doc/hvm-create/).
If you use this Template as it is, then any HVMs that use it will effectively be DisposableVMs - the User directory will be wiped when the HVN is closed down.
If you want to retain the User directory between reboots, then it would make sense to store the `C:\Users` directory on the 2nd disk which is automatically exposed by Qubes to all HVMs.
This 2nd disk is backed by the `private.img` file in the AppVMs' and is not reset upon AppVMs reboot, so the user's directories and profiles would survive the AppVMs reboot, unlike the "root" filesystem which will be reverted to the "golden image" from the Template VM automatically.
To facilitate such separation of user profiles, Qubes Windows Tools provide an option to automatically move `C:\Users` directory to the 2nd disk backed by `private.img`.
It's a selectable feature of the installer, enabled by default, but working only for Windows 7.
If that feature is selected during installation, completion of the process requires two reboots:
- The private disk is initialized and formatted on the first reboot after tools installation. It can't be done **during** the installation because Xen mass storage drivers are not yet active.
- User profiles are moved to the private disk on the next reboot after the private disk is initialized.
Reboot is required because the "mover utility" runs very early in the boot process so OS can't yet lock any files in there.
This can take some time depending on the profiles' size and because the GUI agent is not yet active dom0/Qubes Manager may complain that the AppVM failed to boot.
That's a false alarm (you can increase AppVM's default boot timeout using `qvm-prefs`), the VM should appear "green" in Qubes Manager shortly after.
For Windows 10, the user directories have to be moved manually, because the automatic transfer during QWT installation is bound to crash due to undocumented new features of NTFS, and a system having the directory `users`on another disk than `C:` will break on Windows update. So the following steps should be taken:
- The Windows disk manager may be used to add the private volume as disk `D:`, and you may, using the documented Windows operations, move the user directories `C:\users\<username>\Documents` to this new disk, allowing depending AppVMs to have their own private volumes. Moving the hidden application directories `AppData`, however, is likely to invite trouble - the same trouble that occurs if, during QWT installation, the option `Move user profiles` is selected.
- Configuration data like those stored in directories like `AppData` still remain in the TemplateVM, such that their changes are lost each time the AppVM shuts down. In order to make permanent changes to these configuration data, they have to be changed in the TemplateVM, meaning that applications have to be started there, which violates and perhaps even endangers the security of the TemplateVM. Such changes should be done only if absolutely necessary and with great care. It is a good idea to test them first in a cloned TemplateVM before applying them in the production VM.
It also makes sense to disable Automatic Updates for all the template-based AppVMs -- of course this should be done in the Template VM, not in individual AppVMs, because the system-wide settings are stored in the root filesystem (which holds the system-wide registry hives). Then, periodically check for updates in the Template VM and the changes will be carried over to any child AppVMs.
Once the template has been created and installed it is easy to create AppVMs based on it:
~~~
qvm-create --property virt_mode=hvm <new windows appvm name> --template <name of template vm> --label <label color>
~~~
Components
----------
Qubes Windows Tools (QWT for short) contain several components than can be enabled or disabled during installation:
- Shared components (required): common libraries used by QWT components.
- Xen PV drivers: drivers for the virtual hardware exposed by Xen.
- Base Xen PV Drivers (required): paravirtual bus and interface drivers.
- Xen PV Disk Drivers: paravirtual storage drivers.
- Xen PV Network Drivers: paravirtual network drivers.
- Qubes Core Agent: qrexec agent and services. Needed for proper integration with Qubes.
- Move user profiles: user profile directory (c:\users) is moved to VM's private disk backed by private.img file in dom0 (useful mainly for HVM templates).
- Qubes GUI Agent: video driver and gui agent that enable seamless showing of Windows applications on the secure Qubes desktop.
- Disable UAC: User Account Control may interfere with QWT and doesn't really provide any additional benefits in Qubes environment.
**In testing VMs only** it's probably a good idea to install a VNC server before installing QWT. If something goes very wrong with the Qubes gui agent, a VNC server should still allow access to the OS.
**NOTE**: Xen PV disk drivers are not installed by default. This is because they seem to cause problems (BSOD = Blue Screen Of Death). We're working with upstream devs to fix this. *However*, the BSOD seems to only occur after the first boot and everything works fine after that. **Enable the drivers at your own risk** of course, but we welcome reports of success/failure in any case (backup your VM first!). With disk PV drivers absent `qvm-block` will not work for the VM, but you can still use standard Qubes inter-VM file copying mechanisms.
Xen PV driver components may display a message box asking for reboot during installation -- it's safe to ignore them and defer the reboot.
Installation logs
-----------------
If the install process fails or something goes wrong during it, include the installation logs in your bug report. They are created in the `%TEMP%` directory, by default `<user profile>\AppData\Local\Temp`. There are two text files, one small and one big, with names starting with `Qubes_Windows_Tools`.
Uninstalling QWT is supported from version 3.2.1. Uninstalling previous versions is **not recommended**.
After uninstalling you need to manually enable the DHCP Client Windows service, or set IP settings yourself to restore network access.
Configuration
-------------
Starting from version 2.2.\* various aspects of Qubes Windows Tools can be configured through registry. Main configuration key is located in `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Invisible Things Lab\Qubes Tools`. Configuration values set on this level are global to all QWT components. It's possible to override global values with component-specific keys, this is useful mainly for setting log verbosity for troubleshooting. Possible configuration values are:
|**Name**|**Type**|**Description**|**Default value**|
|:-------|:-------|:--------------|:----------------|
|LogDir|String|Directory where logs are created|c:\\Program Files\\Invisible Things Lab\\Qubes Tools\\log|
|LogLevel|DWORD|Log verbosity (see below)|2 (INFO)|
|LogRetention|DWORD|Maximum age of log files (in seconds), older logs are automatically deleted|604800 (7 days)|
Possible log levels:
||
|1|Error|Serious errors that most likely cause irrecoverable failures|
|2|Warning|Unexpected but non-fatal events|
|3|Info|Useful information (default)|
|4|Debug|Internal state dumps for troubleshooting|
|5|Verbose|Trace most function calls|
Debug and Verbose levels can generate large volume of logs and are intended for development/troubleshooting only.
To override global settings for a specific component, create a new key under the root key mentioned above and name it as the executable name, without `.exe` extension. For example, to change qrexec-agent's log level to Debug, set it like this:
![qtw-log-level.png](/attachment/wiki/WindowsTools/qtw-log-level.png)
Component-specific settings currently available:
|**Component**|**Setting**|**Type**|**Description**|**Default value**|
|:------------|:----------|:-------|:--------------|:----------------|
|qga|DisableCursor|DWORD|Disable cursor in the VM. Useful for integration with Qubes desktop so you don't see two cursors. Can be disabled if you plan to use the VM through a remote desktop connection of some sort. Needs gui agent restart to apply change (locking OS/logoff should be enough since qga is restarted on desktop change).|1|
Troubleshooting
---------------
If the VM is inaccessible (doesn't respond to qrexec commands, gui is not functioning), try to boot it in safe mode:
- `qvm-start --debug vmname`
- mash F8 on the boot screen to enable boot options and select Safe Mode (optionally with networking)
Safe Mode should at least give you access to logs (see above).
**Please include appropriate logs when reporting bugs/problems.** Starting from version 2.4.2 logs contain QWT version, but if you're using an earlier version be sure to mention which one. If the OS crashes (BSOD) please include the BSOD code and parameters in your bug report. The BSOD screen should be visible if you run the VM in debug mode (`qvm-start --debug vmname`). If it's not visible or the VM reboots automatically, try to start Windows in safe mode (see above) and 1) disable automatic restart on BSOD (Control Panel - System - Advanced system settings - Advanced - Startup and recovery), 2) check the system event log for BSOD events. If you can, send the `memory.dmp` dump file from c:\Windows.
Xen logs (/var/log/xen/console/guest-*) are also useful as they contain pvdrivers diagnostic output.
If a specific component is malfunctioning, you can increase its log verbosity as explained above to get more troubleshooting information. Below is a list of components:
||
|qrexec-agent|Responsible for most communication with Qubes (dom0 and other domains), secure clipboard, file copying, qrexec services.|
|qrexec-wrapper|Helper executable that's responsible for launching qrexec services, handling their I/O and vchan communication.|
|qrexec-client-vm|Used for communications by the qrexec protocol.|
|qga|Gui agent.|
|QgaWatchdog|Service that monitors session/desktop changes (logon/logoff/locking/UAC...) and simulates SAS sequence (ctrl-alt-del).|
|qubesdb-daemon|Service for accessing Qubes configuration database.|
|network-setup|Service that sets up network parameters according to VM's configuration.|
|prepare-volume|Utility that initializes and formats the disk backed by `private.img` file. It's registered to run on next system boot during QWT setup, if that feature is selected (it can't run *during* the setup because Xen block device drivers are not yet active). It in turn registers move-profiles (see below) to run at early boot.|
|relocate-dir|Utility that moves user profiles directory to the private disk. It's registered as an early boot native executable (similar to chkdsk) so it can run before any profile files are opened by some other process. Its log is in a fixed location: `c:\move-profiles.log` (it can't use our common logger library so none of the log settings apply).|
Updates
-------
When we publish new QWT version, it's usually pushed to the `current-testing` or `unstable` repository first. To use versions from current-testing, run this in dom0:
`qubes-dom0-update --enablerepo=qubes-dom0-current-testing qubes-windows-tools`
That command will download a new QWT .iso from the testing repository. It goes without saying that you should **backup your VMs** before installing anything from testing repos.

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---
layout: doc
title: Installing a Windows VM
permalink: /doc/windows-vm/
---
Installing a Windows VM
=======================
Simple Windows install
----------------------
If you just want something simple and you can live without some features.
Works:
- display (1440x900 or 1280x1024 are a nice fit onto FHD hw display)
- keyboard (incl. correct mapping), pointing device
- network (emulated Realtek NIC)
Does not work:
- copy & paste (the qubes way)
- copying files into / out of the VM (the qubes way)
- assigning USB devices (the qubes way via the tray applet)
- audio output and input
- PCI device 5853:0001 (Xen platform device) - no driver
- all other features/hardware needing special tool/driver support
Installation procedure:
- Have the Windows 10 ISO image (I used the 64-bit version) downloaded in some qube.
- Create a new Qube:
- Name: Win10, Color: red
- Standalone Qube not based on a template
- Networking: sys-firewall (default)
- Launch settings after creation: check
- Click "OK".
- Settings:
- Basic:
- System storage: 30000+ MB
- Advanced:
- Include in memory balancing: uncheck
- Initial memory: 4096+ MB
- Kernel: None
- Mode: HVM
- Click "Apply".
- Click "Boot from CDROM":
- "from file in qube":
- Select the qube that has the ISO.
- Select ISO by clicking "...".
- Click "OK" to boot into the windows installer.
- Windows Installer:
- Mostly as usual, but automatic reboots will halt the qube - just restart
it again and again until the installation is finished.
- Install on first disk.
- Windows license may be read from flash via root in dom0:
`strings < /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM`
Alternatively, you can also try a Windows 7 license key (as of 2018/11
they are still accepted for a free upgrade).
I first installed Windows and all updates, then entered the license key.
- Afterwards:
- In case you switch from `sys-network` to `sys-whonix`, you'll need a static
IP network configuration, DHCP won't work for `sys-whonix`.
- Use `powercfg -H off` and `disk cleanup` to save some disk space.
Qubes 4.0 - importing a Windows VM from R3.2
-------------------------------------------
Importing should work, simply make sure that you are not using Xen's newer linux stubdomain and that the VM is in HVM mode (these steps should be done automatically when importing the VM):
~~~
qvm-features VMNAME linux-stubdom ''
qvm-prefs VMNAME virt_mode hvm
~~~
Note however that you are better off creating a new Windows VM to benefit from the more recent emulated hardware: R3.2 uses a MiniOS based stubdomain with an old and mostly unmaintained 'qemu-traditional' while R4.0 uses a Linux based stubdomain with a recent version of upstream qemu (see [this post](https://groups.google.com/d/msg/qubes-devel/tBqwJmOAJ94/xmFCGJnuAwAJ)).
Windows VM installation
-----------------------
### qvm-create-windows-qube ###
An unofficial, third-party tool for automating this process is available [here](https://github.com/elliotkillick/qvm-create-windows-qube).
(Please note that this tool has not been reviewed by the Qubes OS Project.
Use it at your own risk.)
However, if you are an expert or want to do it manually you may continue below.
### Summary ###
~~~
qvm-create --class StandaloneVM --label red --property virt_mode=hvm win7new
qvm-prefs win7new memory 4096
qvm-prefs win7new maxmem 4096
qvm-prefs win7new kernel ''
qvm-volume extend win7new:root 25g
qvm-prefs win7new debug true
qvm-features win7new video-model cirrus
qvm-start --cdrom=untrusted:/home/user/windows_install.iso win7new
# restart after the first part of the windows installation process ends
qvm-start win7new
# once Windows is installed and working
qvm-prefs win7new memory 2048
qvm-prefs win7new maxmem 2048
qvm-features --unset win7new video-model
qvm-prefs win7new qrexec_timeout 300
# with Qubes Windows Tools installed:
qvm-prefs win7new debug false
~~~
To install Qubes Windows Tools, follow instructions in [Qubes Windows Tools](/doc/windows-tools/).
### Detailed instructions ###
MS Windows versions considerations:
- The instructions *may* work on other versions than Windows 7 x64 but haven't been tested.
- Qubes Windows Tools (QWT) only supports Windows 7 x64. Note that there are [known issues](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3585) with QWT on Qubes 4.x
- For Windows 10 under Qubes 4.0, a way to install QWT 4.0.1.3, which has worked in several instances, is described in [Qubes Windows Tools](/doc/windows-tools/).
Create a VM named win7new in [HVM](/doc/hvm/) mode (Xen's current PVH limitations precludes from using PVH):
~~~
qvm-create --class StandaloneVM --label red --property virt_mode=hvm win7new
~~~
Windows' installer requires a significant amount of memory or else the VM will crash with such errors:
`/var/log/xen/console/hypervisor.log`:
> p2m_pod_demand_populate: Dom120 out of PoD memory! (tot=102411 ents=921600 dom120)
> (XEN) domain_crash called from p2m-pod.c:1218
> (XEN) Domain 120 (vcpu#0) crashed on cpu#3:
So, increase the VM's memory to 4096MB (memory = maxmem because we don't use memory balancing).
~~~
qvm-prefs win7new memory 4096
qvm-prefs win7new maxmem 4096
~~~
Disable direct boot so that the VM will go through the standard cdrom/HDD boot sequence:
~~~
qvm-prefs win7new kernel ''
~~~
A typical Windows 7 installation requires between 15GB up to 19GB of disk space depending on the version (Home/Professional/...). Windows updates also end up using significant space. So, extend the root volume from the default 10GB to 25GB (note: it is straightforward to increase the root volume size after Windows is installed: simply extend the volume again in dom0 and then extend the system partition with Windows's disk manager).
~~~
qvm-volume extend win7new:root 25g
~~~
Set the debug flag in order to have a graphical console:
~~~
qvm-prefs win7new debug true
~~~
The second part of the installation process will crash with the standard VGA video adapter and the VM will stay in "transient" mode with the following error in `guest-win7new-dm.log`:
> qemu: /home/user/qubes-src/vmm-xen-stubdom-linux/build/qemu/exec.c:1187: cpu_physical_memory_snapshot_get_dirty: Assertion `start + length <= snap->end' failed.
To avoid that error we temporarily have to switch the video adapter to 'cirrus':
~~~
qvm-features win7new video-model cirrus
~~~
The VM is now ready to be started; the best practice is to use an installation ISO [located in a VM](/doc/standalone-and-hvm/#installing-an-os-in-an-hvm):
~~~
qvm-start --cdrom=untrusted:/home/user/windows_install.iso win7new
~~~
Given the higher than usual memory requirements of Windows, you may get a `Not enough memory to start domain 'win7new'` error. In that case try to shutdown unneeded VMs to free memory before starting the Windows VM.
At this point you may open a tab in dom0 for debugging, in case something goes amiss:
~~~
tailf /var/log/qubes/vm-win7new.log \
/var/log/xen/console/hypervisor.log \
/var/log/xen/console/guest-win7new-dm.log
~~~
The VM will shutdown after the installer completes the extraction of Windows installation files. It's a good idea to clone the VM now (eg. `qvm-clone win7new win7newbkp1`). Then, (re)start the VM with `qvm-start win7new`.
The second part of Windows' installer should then be able to complete successfully. You may then perform the following post-install steps:
Decrease the VM's memory to a more reasonable value (memory balancing on Windows is unstable so keep `memory` equal to `maxmen`).
~~~
qvm-prefs win7new memory 2048
qvm-prefs win7new maxmem 2048
~~~
Revert to the standard VGA adapter: the 'cirrus' adapter will limit the maximum screen resolution to 1024x768 pixels, while the default VGA adapter allows for much higher resolutions (up to 2560x1600 pixels).
~~~
qvm-features --unset win7new video-model
~~~
Finally, increase the VM's `qrexec_timeout`: in case you happen to get a BSOD or a similar crash in the VM, utilities like chkdsk won't complete on restart before qrexec_timeout automatically halts the VM. That can really put the VM in a totally unrecoverable state, whereas with higher qrexec_timeout, chkdsk or the appropriate utility has plenty of time to fix the VM. Note that Qubes Windows Tools also require a larger timeout to move the user profiles to the private volume the first time the VM reboots after the tools' installation.
~~~
qvm-prefs win7new qrexec_timeout 300
~~~
At that point you should have a functional and stable Windows VM, although without updates, Xen's PV drivers nor Qubes integration (see sections [Windows Update](#windows-update) and [Xen PV drivers and Qubes Windows Tools](/doc/windows-tools/#xen-pv-drivers-and-qubes-windows-tools)). It is a good time to clone the VM again.
Windows as TemplateVM
---------------------
Windows 7 and 10 can be installed as TemplateVM by selecting
~~~
qvm-create --class TemplateVM --property virt_mode=HVM --property kernel='' --label black Windows-template
~~~
when creating the VM. To have the user data stored in AppVMs depending on this template, Windows 7 and 10 have to be treated differently:
- For Windows 7, the option to move the user directories from drive `C` to drive `D` works and causes any user data to be stored in the AppVMs based on this template, and not in the template itself.
- After installation of Windows 10 as a TemplateVM, the Windows disk manager may be used to add the private volume as disk `D:`, and you may, using the documented Windows operations, move the user directories `C:\users\<username>\Documents` to this new disk, allowing depending AppVMs to have their own private volumes. Moving the hidden application directories `AppData`, however, is likely to invite trouble - the same trouble that occurs if, during QWT installation, the option `Move user profiles` is selected.
For Windows 10, configuration data like those stored in directories like `AppData` still remain in the TemplateVM, such that their changes are lost each time the AppVM shuts down. In order to make permanent changes to these configuration data, they have to be changed in the TemplateVM, meaning that applications have to be started there, which violates and perhaps even endangers the security of the TemplateVM. Such changes should be done only if absolutely necessary and with great care. It is a good idea to test them first in a cloned TemplateVM before applying them in the production VM.
AppVMs based on these templates can be created the normal way by using the Qube Manager or by specifying
~~~
qvm-create --class=AppVM --template=<VMname>
~~~
On starting the AppVM, sometimes a message is displayed that the Xen PV Network Class needs to restart the system. This message can be safely ignored and closed by selecting "No".
**Caution:** These AppVMs must not be started while the corresponding TemplateVM is running, because they share the TemplateVM's license data. Even if this could work sometimes, it would be a violation of the license terms.
### Windows 10 Usage According to GDPR
If Windows 10 is used in the EU to process personal data, according to GDPR no automatic data transfer to countries outside the EU is allowed without explicit consent of the person(s) concerned, or other legal consent, as applicable. Since no reliable way is found to completely control the sending of telemetry from Windows 10, the system containing personal data must be completely shielded from the internet.
This can be achieved by installing Windows 10 on a TemplateVM with the user data directory moved to a separate drive (usually `D:`). Personal data must not be stored within the TemplateVM, but only in AppVMs depending on this TemplateVM. Network access by these AppVMs must be restricted to the local network and perhaps additional selected servers within the EU. Any data exchange of the AppVMs must be restricted to file and clipboard operations to and from other VMs in the same Qubes system.
Windows update
--------------
Depending on how old your installation media is, fully updating your Windows VM may take *hours* (this isn't specific to Xen/Qubes) so make sure you clone your VM between the mandatory reboots in case something goes wrong. This [comment](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/3585#issuecomment-366471111) provides useful links on updating a Windows 7 SP1 VM.
Note: if you already have Qubes Windows Tools installed the video adapter in Windows will be "Qubes video driver" and you won't be able to see the Windows Update process when the VM is being powered off because Qubes services would have been stopped by then. Depending on the size of the Windows update packs it may take a bit of time until the VM shutdowns by itself, leaving one wondering if the VM has crashed or still finalizing the updates (in dom0 a changing CPU usage - eg. shown with `xentop` - usually indicates that the VM hasn't crashed).
To avoid guessing the VM's state enable debugging (`qvm-prefs -s win7new debug true`) and in Windows' device manager (My computer -> Manage / Device manager / Display adapters) temporarily re-enable the standard VGA adapter and disable "Qubes video driver". You can disable debugging and revert to Qubes' display once the VM is updated.
Further customization
---------------------
Please see the [Customizing Windows 7 templates](/doc/windows-template-customization/) page (despite the focus on preparing the VM for use as a template, most of the instructions are independent from how the VM will be used - ie. TemplateVM or StandaloneVM).