One of the advantages of virtualization is that it makes it possible to run Windows in a virtual machine on top of a running Linux system. This means that it is possible to have both operating systems running concurrently on the computer system without need to shut one down and boot another.

One of the advantages of virtualization is that it makes it possible to run Windows in a virtual machine on top of a running Linux system. This means that it is possible to have both operating systems running concurrently on the computer system without need to shut one down and boot another.

In this chapter of [[Fedora Essentials]] we will cover in detail every step necessary to install and run Windows inside a KVM virtual machine on Fedora Linux.

In this chapter of [[Fedora Linux Essentials]] we will cover in detail every step necessary to install and run Windows inside a KVM virtual machine on Fedora Linux.

== System Requirements ==

== System Requirements ==

Once an appropriate configuration has been entered, click the next button to assign storage space:

Once an appropriate configuration has been entered, click the next button to assign storage space:

[[Image:kvm_assign_storage_space.jpg| Assigning Storage Space for a KVM Guest System]]

[[Image:kvm_assign_windows_storage_space.jpg| Assigning Storage Space for a KVM Guest System]]

If you have a disk partition available for the guest operating system, enter the device path. Otherwise, select ''Simple file'', enter the path of the file to be created and select a file size (keeping in mind the space requirements for your chosen guest OS). Click the ''Forward'' key once more.

If you have a disk partition available for the guest operating system, enter the device path. Otherwise, select ''Simple file'', enter the path of the file to be created and select a file size (keeping in mind the space requirements for your chosen guest OS). Click the ''Forward'' key once more, configure your networking options and click the ''Forward'' button once again.

The next screen allows configuration of memory and CPU usage:

The next screen allows configuration of memory and CPU usage:

On a multi-CPU or multi-core CPU environment it is possible to define how many CPUs the guest OS will have access to. The final screen displays a summary of the configuration:

On a multi-CPU or multi-core CPU environment it is possible to define how many CPUs the guest OS will have access to. The final screen displays a summary of the configuration:

[[Image:kvm_summary.jpg|KVM settings summary]]

[[Image:kvm_windows_summary.jpg|KVM Windows settings summary]]

== Starting the KVM Virtual System ==

== Starting the KVM Virtual System ==

Click on the ''Finish'' button to begin the creation process. The virtualization manager will create the disk and configure KVM before starting the system. Once started, the guest OS installation will begin:

Click on the ''Finish'' button to begin the creation process. The virtualization manager will create the disk and configure KVM before starting the system. Once started, the guest OS installation will begin:

[[Image:fedora_kvm_os_install.jpg]]

[[Image:fedora_kvm_windows_install.jpg]]

From this point on, simply follow the operating installation instructions to install the guest OS.

From this point on, simply follow the operating installation instructions to install the guest OS.