> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.macstadium.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Manual Windows Installation > Windows does not include Virtio drivers by default. These drivers need to be installed from a mounted disk during Windows installation. Windows does not include Virtio drivers by default. These drivers need to be installed from a mounted disk during Windows installation. For Windows Server installation, MacStadium highly recommends the use of the Windows Server recipe. 1. Windows requires additional drivers in order to access Private Cloud's virtualized storage and network hardware. To install a Windows VM manually, select **Machines Dashboard → Virtual Machines.** 2. Click **New VM**. Private Cloud Machines Dashboard with New VM button New VM 3. The *Select Type* tab opens. The left-hand side of the screen contains a list of options (Operating Systems, Services, and so on.) The right-hand side of the screen contains a list of recipes. Select **New VM** and click **Next**. Private Cloud Select Type tab with New VM option selected Next 4. The *Virtual Machine Setting* tab opens. Private Cloud Virtual Machine Settings tabVirtual Settings Tab 5. In the *VM Recipe Instance* box, complete the following fields: * **Name** * **Cores** * **RAM** * **Cluster** (can be left as *Default*) * **OS Family** = Windows * **Attach Virtio Drives** = checked Private Cloud VM Recipe Instance fields with Attach Virtio Drives checkbox checked VM Recipe Instance Make sure the **Attach Virtio Drivers** checkbox is selected. This is required to install the Windows operating system. A Windows Install ISO must be uploaded to Media Images before installation. 6. In the Drives box, make sure the **Create CD-ROM Drive** is set to **Use Local Media Image**. Select an uploaded Windows install ISO. Private Cloud Drives section with CD-ROM Drive set to Use Local Media Image *Drives* 7. In the Network box, set the **NIC Interface** to **Virtio** , and the **Attach Network Interface** to **Internal**. Private Cloud Network section with NIC Interface set to Virtio and Internal network selected Network 8. Click **Submit**. Private Cloud Virtual Machine Settings completed and ready to submitVirtual Machine Settings 9. In the **New VM (Windows)** page, click **Power**. Private Cloud New VM page with Power button highlighted 10. In the **Confirmation** box, click Power On. Private Cloud Power On confirmation dialog *Power On* 11. Open the **Console** by clicking the **Console** button. Private Cloud VM page with Console button highlighted *Console Button* 12. When prompted, press any key to begin installation. 13. The **Windows** screen opens, click **Next**. Windows setup language and region screen *Windows* 14. Click **Install Now**. Windows setup screen with Install Now button *Install Now* 15. Accept the license terms and click **Next.** Windows setup license terms screen *Advanced* 16. Select **Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced)**.Windows setup installation type selection with Custom option *Custom* 17. The installation will fail to find any drives. At this point, the virtio storage drivers need to be loaded to continue the install. Click **Load Driver**. Windows setup Where to install screen with no drives found and Load Driver button *Load Driver* 18. Click **OK**. Windows Load Driver browse dialog OK 19. Select the driver for the corresponding Windows version, according to the folder name. For example, the Windows 10 driver is located in E:\amd64\w10\\. Windows driver selection list showing Virtio SCSI drivers by OS version Windows 10 Driver 20. Windows begins to install. Allow the installation to finish. Network connectivity does not work during the install, this is expected, as Windows does not come with Virtio network drivers. Windows setup installation progress bar Installing Windows 21. Once installed, additional drivers need to be installed to allow network connectivity. To do this, open Explorer, and navigate to This PC. A CD drive with Virtio drivers should be accessible. Windows Explorer showing This PC with Virtio drivers CD drive *CD* 22. **Double click** on **virtio-win-gt-x64**. Windows Explorer with virtio-win-gt-x64 installer file highlighted *File Name* 23. When the **Setup Wizard** opens, click **Next**. Virtio Windows Guest Tools Setup Wizard welcome screen *Wizard* 24. Accept the **terms** and click **Next**. Virtio Windows Guest Tools license terms screen *Terms* 25\. Choose all and click **Next**. *Virtio Windows Guest Tools component selection screen with all options selected* *Select All* 26. Click **Install** to begin the installation. Virtio Windows Guest Tools ready to install screen with Install button *Install* 27. The progress bar appears. Virtio Windows Guest Tools installation progress bar *Progress Bar* 28. Click **Finish** to complete the Setup Wizard. Virtio Windows Guest Tools Setup Wizard completion screen with Finish button Finish 29. Install **Guest tools** by clicking on the file **virtio-win-guest-tools**. Then accept the **license terms** and click **Install**. Virtio guest tools installer with Install button *Install* 30. The progress bar appears. Virtio guest tools installation progress bar Progress Bar 31. Click **Close** to complete the installation. Windows is now ready for use. Virtio guest tools installation complete screen with Close button *Close*