What you need before you start

Proxmox VE is installed directly onto bare hardware — a dedicated physical server, not inside another operating system. You cannot install it on top of Windows or Linux the way you would install a program. Instead, you download the Proxmox installer, write it to a USB drive, boot your server from that drive, and run through a setup wizard that partitions your disk and installs the Proxmox system.

You will need a server with at least 2 CPU cores, 4 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of disk space, though more of each is better for running multiple virtual machines. The server must support virtualization in the BIOS — Intel VT-x or AMD-V. You also need a USB drive with at least 1 GB of space to hold the installer, and a monitor and keyboard to complete the initial setup, though you can manage Proxmox remotely through a web browser after installation finishes.

Proxmox runs on most standard server hardware and many consumer-grade machines. It does not require special certification or licensing — the software itself is free. You pay only for the hardware and your own time.

Key Takeaways

  • Proxmox installs onto bare hardware as a complete operating system, not as software running inside another OS.
  • You boot from a USB drive containing the Proxmox installer and run through a setup wizard that takes 10 to 20 minutes.
  • The installer asks for your server's IP address, hostname, and which disk to use, then partitions and installs automatically.
  • After installation, you log into Proxmox through a web browser on another computer using the IP address you set during setup.
  • Enabling virtualization support in your server's BIOS before you start prevents installation errors and performance problems later.

Download the Proxmox installer and create a bootable USB drive

Go to the Proxmox website and download the latest ISO file — the installer image. The file is about 1 GB. Save it to your computer.

On Windows, use Rufus or Balena Etcher to write the ISO to your USB drive. On macOS or Linux, use Etcher or the command-line tool dd. Insert a blank USB drive, open your tool of choice, select the Proxmox ISO file, select the USB drive, and click Write or Burn. The tool will erase the USB drive and copy the installer to it — this takes a few minutes.

Do not simply copy the ISO file onto the USB drive as if it were a folder. The USB drive must be bootable, which means the ISO must be written to it as a disk image, not extracted.

Enable virtualization in your server's BIOS

Restart your server and enter the BIOS setup menu — usually by pressing Delete, F2, or F10 during the boot sequence, depending on your hardware manufacturer. Look for a setting called VT-x (Intel), AMD-V (AMD), or SVM. The exact menu path varies by manufacturer, but it is often under Advanced Settings or Processor Settings.

Enable the virtualization setting, save your changes, and exit the BIOS. Your server will restart. This step is not always required, but Proxmox will warn you if virtualization is disabled, and your virtual machines will run slowly or not at all without it.

Boot from the USB drive and start the installer

Insert the USB drive into your server, restart it, and enter the boot menu — usually by pressing F12, Escape, or F11 during startup. Select the USB drive from the list. Your server will boot into the Proxmox installer, which shows a menu with options like Install Proxmox VE and Graphical Install.

Select Graphical Install to use the point-and-click wizard. The installer will load, which takes a minute or two. You will see a welcome screen and a license agreement. Read the agreement and click I Agree to continue.

Choose your disk and configure storage

The installer will show a list of disks attached to your server. Select the disk where you want to install Proxmox. If your server has only one disk, it will be selected already. Be careful here — the installer will erase the selected disk completely.

The next screen asks about filesystem type and storage layout. For most setups, leave the defaults as they are: ext4 filesystem and automatic partitioning. Advanced users can choose LVM or ZFS for different storage features, but ext4 is the safest choice for a first installation. Click Next to continue.

Set your location, timezone, and root password

The installer asks for your location and timezone. Select your country and timezone from the dropdown menus. These settings affect system logs and scheduled tasks, so choose accurately.

Next, you will set the root password — the administrative password for your Proxmox system. Use a strong password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Write it down and store it somewhere safe. You cannot recover a lost root password without reinstalling Proxmox.

Configure your network settings

The installer asks for a hostname — a name for your server on the network, like proxmox-01 or hypervisor-lab. Choose something descriptive and avoid spaces or special characters.

Next, you set the IP address. If your network has a DHCP server (most home and office networks do), you can choose to get an IP address automatically. For a server you plan to keep running, a static IP address is better — you choose a fixed address that does not change. Enter your IP address, netmask (usually 255.255.255.0), gateway, and DNS servers. If you are unsure of these values, ask your network administrator or check your router settings.

Review the summary screen, which shows all your choices. If everything looks correct, click Install. The installer will partition your disk, install Proxmox, and reboot — this takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your disk speed.

Log in after installation completes

When installation finishes, your server will restart and boot into Proxmox. You will see a login prompt on the console, but you do not need to log in there. Instead, open a web browser on another computer and go to https://[your-server-ip]:8006, replacing [your-server-ip] with the IP address you set during installation.

Your browser will show a security warning because Proxmox uses a self-signed certificate. Click through the warning to continue. You will see the Proxmox login page. Log in with username root and the password you set during installation.

After you log in, you will see the Proxmox dashboard. Your installation is complete. From here, you can create virtual machines, manage storage, and configure networking through the web interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Proxmox on a laptop or desktop computer?

Yes, Proxmox runs on any x86-64 hardware with virtualization support. A laptop or desktop will work, though servers are designed for continuous operation and better cooling. Make sure your machine has at least 4 GB of RAM and a spare disk or partition you are willing to erase.

What if the installer does not recognize my network card?

This is rare but can happen with very new hardware. Try downloading a newer version of Proxmox, as newer installers include more network drivers. If that does not work, you can complete installation with a temporary static IP address and update drivers after Proxmox is running.

Can I install Proxmox alongside Windows or Linux on the same disk?

No. Proxmox must be the only operating system on the disk. If you want to keep another OS, use a separate disk or partition your hardware so Proxmox has its own dedicated drive.

What should I do if I forget the root password?

You will need to reinstall Proxmox. There is no built-in password recovery. Write down your root password and store it securely before you finish installation.

How do I know if my server supports virtualization?

Check your server or CPU documentation for VT-x (Intel) or AMD-V (AMD) support. Most servers and processors from the last 10 years support it. You can also enable it in the BIOS and run Proxmox — the installer will warn you if virtualization is disabled.