QCOW2 is the native storage format for QEMU. It is preferred for vintage OS virtualization because it supports thin provisioning
What are you running (Windows, macOS, or Linux)?
Create a QCOW2 disk:
Here’s a sample review for a image (typically used with QEMU/KVM). I’ve written it from the perspective of a retro computing enthusiast or developer testing legacy software.
Assume you have a perfect install at base.qcow2 . To create a new child image: windows 98 qcow2
In the age of modern, powerful PCs, there's a unique charm and necessity for running vintage operating systems like Microsoft Windows 98. Whether you're a retro-gaming enthusiast looking to play classic titles, a developer testing legacy software, or a nostalgia-seeker wanting to relive the late 90s, virtualization is the perfect solution. The open-source emulator QEMU (Quick EMUlator) stands as one of the best tools for this job. However, the key to a successful, flexible, and efficient Windows 98 virtual machine lies in choosing the right disk image format: .
: If you need to mount the QCOW2 image as a standard disk on your host system, you can convert it to a more widely supported format. For example, you can use the command below to convert it to a VirtualBox VDI file, which can then be mounted and edited with specialized tools. QCOW2 is the native storage format for QEMU
In this article, we'll explore how to create a Windows 98 virtual machine using the QCOW2 (QEMU Copy-On-Write) format, which is compatible with popular virtualization software like QEMU, KVM, and libvirt.