Create a Windows Template

A Windows template holds two devices: your Windows ISO and one blank disk. Nothing else belongs in it. For what each setting means, see Templates.

Do not add a VirtIO driver ISO. Gallium supplies the drivers on every product, and a finalized template is immutable, so a driver ISO added here is a version you can never update.

Supply Your Windows Media

Gallium does not distribute Windows media, so you provide a Windows or Windows Server ISO you are licensed to use. Supported releases are Windows Server 2019 through 2025, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Create the Draft

1. Go to Inventory > VM Templates and select Create Template.
2. Enter a Template Name and an optional Description.
3. Set Operating System Type to Windows.
4. Set Minimum Memory. Windows installs comfortably from 4 GB.
5. Turn on Cloud-Init Support. On Cluster and Standalone, this makes the Windows Configuration fields available when you create a virtual machine from the template.
6. Select Configure Disks to save the draft.

Add the Disks

Disks attach in the order you add them, so add the ISO first.

1. Select Upload ISO and upload your Windows ISO.
2. Select Add Blank Disk for the OS disk. Allow at least 32 GB for a Windows installation.

Stop there. The template is complete with these two devices.

How the Drivers Reach the Guest

Windows has no VirtIO drivers of its own, so it cannot see a VirtIO disk or network adapter until they are loaded. Each product supplies them for you:

• Cluster and Standalone: the automated installation builds a configuration drive carrying the VirtIO drivers and the QEMU guest agent, and Windows loads them during setup. See Windows Configuration for Cluster or Standalone.
• Edge: the creation form attaches the VirtIO driver ISO to every Windows VM as a Tool ISO, so the drivers are present at first boot. See Windows Configuration.

Finalize the Template

Select Finalize Template. The template becomes immutable and is ready to deploy.