Suggestion for best virtualization software for windows 11 with shared folder access in Fedora Silverblue

Hi, I want to try to install Windows 11 in the Gnome boxes on Fedora Silver Blue to use the “Shared Folders” feature, since the same feature does not work in the “Virtual Machine Manager for Windows 11”, although I have followed the steps suggested by a forum member. However, I get an error message that Windows 11 is not supported.
I would like to successfully install Windows 11 on gnome-boxes or other virtualization software with access to shared folders.

Is this virt-manager ?

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yes , you are correct virt-manager

For me win11 installed successfully using virt-manager. It was required that I select uefi with TPM to perform the install.

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are you able to transfer files between windows 11 and fedora hostt. I was unable to do that

I did Windows 11 host with Fedora guests in VirtualBox and VMware Workstation recently no problem with shared folders.

GNOME Boxes is what I’d try first on Fedora host (if it has shared folders), but otherwise it’d be VirtualBox. Then VMware if it’s half-way easy to install (Workstation Pro is free as of recently and replaces Player/Fusion).

Last-resort I’d look at something command-line, but I’d probably not find shared folders worthwhile enough to get that far :stuck_out_tongue:

i tried installing windows 11 using
chmod a+x /var/home/saleeshsuresheyyani/

on virt-manager but it does not work
Failed to connect socket to var/run/libvrt
is the error
i think i would rather go for virtual box if shared folder access works with it or else vmwaree

Added virtualization

i installed Windows 11 with libvirt like this:

  • Start virt-manager
  • connect to QEMU/KVM User Session
  • create a new VM for Windows 11. make sure it contains EFI, Secureboot and a TPM Emulation.
  • Optional: Configure Network and disk for VirtIO - you’ll need the virtio-win.iso for Windows installation, Disk Buffer Mode is set to Writeback. Disk file should be a raw file instead of qcow2 for full performance.
  • Install windows as usual.
  • After installation, install the Windows Guest tools from https://spice-space.org/
  • On this site, you will also find the “Spice WebDAV Deamon”. This package is necessary to enable folder sharing.

Sharing folders also works with virtsh-manager, but it has no display for uploading. But if you are finished with the Setup, just open Gnome Boxes. Your VM should be also visible there.

E: Almost forgot, because you are on Silverblue, just layer the Package for virt-manager and gnome-boxes. Do not use the Flatpak ones, as they lack of some features.

this make no sense
chmod a+x /var/home/saleeshsuresheyyani/ just makes your homefolder browseable for all. sounds like a very bad idea

Hi Truster, thank you for the reply. i think now the sharing works in oracle virtual box. thank you :slight_smile: , so happy now