How to Use Multiple Displays with Windows VM Using QEMU?

Using multiple displays with a Windows virtual machine (VM) can greatly enhance your productivity and multitasking abilities. With the help of QEMU, a powerful open-source virtualization software, you can easily configure and utilize multiple displays within your Windows VM. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using multiple displays with Windows VM using QEMU.

Requirements

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• A computer running a Linux-based operating system
• QEMU installed on your Linux system
• A Windows installation ISO file

Step 1: Install QEMU

If you haven't already installed QEMU, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Open a terminal on your Linux system.
2. Run the following command to install QEMU:
sudo apt install qemu
3. Wait for the installation to complete.

Step 2: Create a Windows Virtual Machine

Now that QEMU is installed, let's create a Windows VM:

1. Open a terminal on your Linux system.
2. Create a new directory to store your VM files:
mkdir windows-vm
3. Change into the newly created directory:
cd windows-vm
4. Create a virtual hard disk for your VM:
qemu-img create -f qcow2 windows.img 20G
5. Download a Windows ISO file or insert a Windows installation DVD into your computer.
6. Run the following command to start the Windows installation:
qemu-system-x86_64 -hda windows.img -cdrom /path/to/windows.iso -boot d
7. The Windows installation process will begin. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 3: Configure Multiple Displays

Once you have successfully installed Windows, it's time to configure multiple displays:

1. Shut down your Windows VM if it is running.
2. Open a terminal on your Linux system.
3. Run the following command to edit the VM configuration:
virt-manager
4. The Virtual Machine Manager window will open. Double-click on your Windows VM to open its settings.
5. In the left sidebar, click on "Add Hardware" and select "Display".
6. Configure the display settings according to your needs, such as the resolution, number of displays, and graphics adapter.
7. Click "Apply" to save the changes.

Step 4: Start the Windows VM

Now that you have configured multiple displays, you can start your Windows VM:

1. In the Virtual Machine Manager window, click "Start" to launch your Windows VM.
2. Once your Windows VM is running, you should see the additional display(s) you configured.
3. Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings" to further customize the display arrangement and settings.

That's it! You have successfully set up and are now using multiple displays with your Windows VM using QEMU. Enjoy the increased productivity and convenience that multiple displays offer!

Conclusion

Using multiple displays with a Windows VM can greatly improve your workflow and efficiency. With the help of QEMU, you can easily configure and utilize multiple displays within your Windows VM on a Linux system. Follow the steps outlined in this article to set up and start using multiple displays with your Windows VM using QEMU.

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