Cannot mount VirtIO in VM Essentials.

[aaaaa2t4]

I’m attempting to install Windows Server 2022 with VM Essentials, but it fails. During the Windows Server 2022 installation, I’m unable to mount the VirtIO ISO. I did check the VirtIO driver option. What should I do? Is there a way to mount the ISO later?

[Arnout_Verbeken]

1. During adding of the Windows ISO VIrtual Image, you need to select "VirtIO drivers loaded"
2. During creating of the Instance, you need to select "Attach VirtIO CD" in the advanced settings.

I think you did not do step 2.

Can you confirm?

[merlindb]

Hi @aaaaa2t4 

When I am loading a Windows ISO in advanced options during provisioning I select the options below.

Then before starting the VM you want to reconfigure it and attach the virtio drivers iso

Click on the Hamburger icon on the second CD Rom drive select your virtio driver iso and then click on reconfigure and now you are good to start the VM up and you should have the VirtIO drivers attached. 

Let me know if you have any trouble with that.

[lsantiagos01]

Just to add a couple of checks that may help in this scenario.

First, make sure the system disk is actually using a VirtIO bus (virtio or virtio-scsi). If the disk is set to SATA, Windows will not require the VirtIO driver during setup, and the behavior can be confusing. You can verify this under:

Reconfigure → Disks → Bus Type

Second, even if “Attach VirtIO CD” is selected, it’s worth confirming before first boot that the second CD-ROM really has the VirtIO ISO mounted. Go to Reconfigure, check the second CD-ROM, select the ISO if needed, click Reconfigure, and only then power on the VM.

During Windows Setup, when clicking “Load driver”, make sure to browse to the correct folder, typically:

vioscsi\2k22\amd64 or viostor\2k22\amd64

(depending on whether you’re using virtio-scsi or virtio-blk).

If installation has already started, you don’t need to recreate the VM — just power it off, attach the VirtIO ISO, and continue the setup.

Hope this helps clarify the behavior.