How to Use QEMU to Run Linux VMs in Minutes

How to Use QEMU to Run Linux VMs in Minutes

If you read my last post, you’ll remember we explored QEMU from a high-level perspective. Today, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into how you can quickly get a Linux VM up and running using QEMU. We’ll cover both graphical and console-based virtual machines, using Kali Linux and Fedora Server as examples. Once QEMU is installed, you can have a fully functional Linux VM within minutes.

✅ Install QEMU if you haven’t already.

---

Table of Contents

1. Running Kali Linux with GUI in QEMU
2. QEMU Command Breakdown (Kali)
3. Running Fedora Server in Console Mode
4. QEMU Command Breakdown (Fedora)
5. Why Use QCOW2 Images?
6. Final Thoughts

---

Running Kali Linux with GUI in QEMU

Kali Linux is one of the most well-known distributions in the cybersecurity world—loved by blue teamers, pen-testers, and hackers alike. While you might be familiar with the live ISO, there’s also a maintained QEMU-ready version of Kali that makes spinning up a VM super easy.

Once you’ve downloaded the QEMU .qcow2 image of Kali, you can launch it with a few simple options. Here’s a typical configuration I use for GUI-based Kali setups:

• 4 GB RAM
• 2 virtual CPUs
• Virtual hard drive (QCOW2)
• NAT networking
• Virtio networking for better performance
• Graphical window with visible cursor
• Custom name: “Kali VM”

This setup is ideal for local penetration testing labs or blue team sandboxing.

---

QEMU Command Breakdown (Kali)

Run Kali Linux GUI:

qemu-system-x86_64 \
  -m 4096 \
  -smp 2 \
  -hda kali-linux-2025.1a-qemu-amd64.qcow2 \
  -cpu max \
  -display default,show-cursor=on \
  -device virtio-net,netdev=net0 -netdev user,id=net0 \
  -name "Kali VM"

Explanation of Options:

• qemu-system-x86_64: Launch QEMU for 64-bit x86 systems.
• -m 4096: Assigns 4 GB of RAM.
• -smp 2: Enables 2 virtual CPU cores.
• -hda: Mounts the Kali .qcow2 disk image as the primary drive.
• -cpu max: Uses all available host CPU features for better guest performance.
• -display default,show-cursor=on: Opens a graphical window with visible mouse cursor.
• -device virtio-net,netdev=net0: Adds a fast virtual NIC using virtio.
• -netdev user,id=net0: Enables NAT (user-mode networking).
• -name: Gives the VM a name for identification.

📥 Download Kali Linux QEMU image

---

Running Fedora Server in Console Mode

While GUIs are great, sometimes you just want to get straight into the terminal—especially on servers. Running QEMU in console mode is resource-efficient and better suited for headless setups or SSH-based management.

Fedora offers pre-built .qcow2 images that work perfectly with this style of virtualization. Here’s a minimal setup I use:

• 4 GB RAM
• 2 CPU cores
• Max CPU feature exposure
• QCOW2 virtual drive
• No graphical interface
• Console and QEMU monitor output to terminal

---

QEMU Command Breakdown (Fedora)

Run Fedora Server Console:

qemu-system-x86_64 \
  -m 4096 \
  -smp 2 \
  -cpu max \
  -hda Fedora-Server-KVM-41-1.4.x86_64.qcow2 \
  -nographic \
  -serial mon:stdio

Explanation of Options:

• qemu-system-x86_64: Launches QEMU with 64-bit x86 emulation.

• -m 4096: Allocates 4 GB of RAM to the VM.

• -smp 2: Uses 2 virtual CPUs.

• -cpu max: Enables all CPU features available to the host for optimal performance in the guest.

• -hda Fedora-Server-KVM-41-1.4.x86_64.qcow2: Uses this QCOW2 disk image (Fedora Server) as the main virtual hard drive.

• -nographic: Disables the graphical display (no window will pop up), and instead routes VM output to the terminal. Ideal for server environments or SSH-only VMs.

• -serial mon:stdio: Redirects the serial console and QEMU monitor to your terminal (STDIO), so you interact with the VM as if it were a headless physical server via serial console.

📥 Download Fedora Server QEMU image

---

Why Use QCOW2 Images?

The .qcow2 format is incredibly convenient—it’s a pre-installed, ready-to-boot Linux environment in a single file. Unlike Live ISOs, changes to the system are persistent, which is ideal for testing and development.

⚠️ Note: These images might include default user credentials. Make sure to change the password or, better yet, create your own user immediately after boot.

QCOW2 images are perfect for:

• Rapid Linux prototyping
• Security testing environments
• Script and automation testing
• Isolated lab setups

---

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re prototyping, testing scripts, or building a home lab, QEMU with ready-made QCOW2 images is a powerful and fast way to get Linux up and running. In just a few minutes, you can launch a GUI-driven Kali instance or a lean Fedora Server terminal—all without touching VirtualBox or VMware.

If you could get any Linux distro running in just a couple of minutes, what would you use it for?

Have questions about Linux or virtualization? Drop a comment or reach out—always happy to chat!