Proxmox VE Install Guide
A step-by-step interactive tutorial covering everything from ISO download to your first VM. Follow along at your own pace.
2026 Install Walkthrough Video
Coming soon — subscribe to get notified
Step 1: Download the Proxmox VE ISO
Head to the official Proxmox downloads page and grab the latest ISO. Verify the SHA256 checksum after downloading to ensure file integrity.
Step 2: Create Bootable USB Media
Use Balena Etcher, Rufus (Windows), or `dd` on Linux to flash the ISO to a USB drive (8GB+). Make sure to select GPT partitioning and DD mode in Rufus if applicable.
Step 3: Run the Proxmox Installer
Boot from the USB and follow the guided installer. Select your target disk, choose a filesystem (ZFS recommended for redundancy, LVM-thin for low-RAM setups), and set a strong root password.
Step 4: Configure FQDN Hostname & Network
Set your hostname as a proper FQDN like `pve.home.arpa` or `node1.lab.internal`. Avoid `.local` (conflicts with mDNS). Configure a static IP, gateway, and DNS servers.
Step 5: Post-Installation Setup
Access the web UI at `https://your-ip:8006`. Update package repositories, disable the enterprise repo if you don't have a subscription, and run `apt update && apt dist-upgrade`. Create a non-root user and set up SSH keys.