This guide covers everything from safe download sources to uploading and storing ISOs correctly in Proxmox. Never download ISOs from random torrent sites or unofficial blogs. Malicious actors can easily embed rootkits or spyware.
With your ISO ready, you can now deploy production-grade virtual machines in minutes. The same process works for Linux, BSD, Windows, and even specialized appliances like OPNsense or pfSense. Need a specific ISO? Drop a comment with the OS name, and I'll help you find the official download link. proxmox download iso
| Operating System | Official Download Link | | :--- | :--- | | | ubuntu.com/download/server | | Debian | debian.org/distrib/ | | CentOS Stream | centos.org/download/ | | Rocky Linux | rockylinux.org/download | | AlmaLinux | almalinux.org/get-almalinux/ | | Fedora Server | getfedora.org/en/server/download/ | | Windows Server (Evaluation) | microsoft.com/evalcenter | | FreeBSD | freebsd.org/where.html | | TrueNAS Core | truenas.com/download-truenas-core/ | | OpenSUSE Leap | get.opensuse.org/leap/ | 💡 Pro Tip: Always choose the LTS (Long Term Support) version for production servers (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or 24.04 LTS). Step 2: Two Ways to Get the ISO into Proxmox Proxmox does not automatically download ISOs. You must place them into the correct storage location: /var/lib/vz/template/iso/ (the default local storage). Method A: Direct Download via the Proxmox Host Terminal (Fastest) SSH into your Proxmox host as root and use wget : This guide covers everything from safe download sources
Use only these official sources:
One of the first tasks when setting up a new Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) server is adding operating system ISO files. Whether you need Ubuntu, Debian, Windows Server, TrueNAS, or AlmaLinux, understanding how to acquire and manage ISOs is essential. With your ISO ready, you can now deploy