Windows 98 Qcow2 _verified_ Jun 2026

Run the following command to boot from your ISO. We use the sb16 (Sound Blaster 16) and cirrus logic cards, as Windows 98 has built-in drivers for these: qemu-system-i386 -m 256 -hda win98.qcow2 -cdrom windows98se.iso -boot d -soundhw sb16 -vga cirrus

remains the last bastion. QEMU emulates a full 486/Pentium/Pentium II environment, including the exact chipsets (like the Intel 440FX) that Windows 98 expects. Furthermore, the QCOW2 format handles the "dirty" unmounts of Windows 98 better than raw formats, reducing virtual disk corruption during blue screens. windows 98 qcow2

This command creates a VM with a Windows 98 image ( windows98.qcow2 ), uses the ISO file as the CD-ROM, allocates 256MB of RAM, and boots from the CD-ROM. Run the following command to boot from your ISO

No DirectX or 3D acceleration available after full setup. #114 - GitHub Furthermore, the QCOW2 format handles the "dirty" unmounts