How to Install Windows 10 Virtual Machine on a Synology NAS.

In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to install Windows 10 on a Synology NAS using Virtual Machine Manager.

Running a Windows 10 virtual machine (VM) on your Synology NAS is a reliable way to create a Windows environment that can be used either for remote desktop access, testing, or supporting legacy applications. Synology makes this possible with Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) – an application that allows you to run Windows or Linux virtual machines on both supported NAS models.

Requirements to install a Windows 10 VM on Synology NAS:

• Before installing a Windows 10 VM on your Synology NAS, ensure that your Synology Model supports Virtual Machine Manager and has at least 4GB of RAM.
• A Windows 10 ISO file to install Windows 10 on the virtual machine.*

* Note: If you don't own a Windows 10 ISO file:

1. Navigate to Windows 10 download page and click the Download Now button to download the Media Creation Tool.
2. Run the downloaded "MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe" file and accept the License terms.
3. Select "Create installation media for another PC" and click Next.
4. Choose your language settings and click Next.
5. On the 'Choose which media to use' screen, choose ISO file and click Next.
6. Finally choose where to save the Windows ISO file (e.g. on your desktop) and click Save.
7. Once the ISO file downloaded, copy it to your Synology NAS and continue to the instructions below.

How to Install Windows 10 VM on Synology NAS.

Step 1. Install Virtual Machine Manager on Synology NAS.

1. On your Synology NAS DiskStation open the Package Center.

2. Search for "virtual machine" and press Enter. Then, install Virtual Machine Manager.

3. When asked, click Yes to Install Replication Service

4. Let the installer download and install the necessary components and when the installation is complete, open Virtual Machine Manager.

5. On Virtual Machine Setup Wizard click Start to setup the virtualization cluster.

6. At the next screen click Next. *

* Note: At this point you will see whether your system is eligible to install virtual machines. If an item is not eligible, you not be able to run virtual machines.

7. Then, if you are prompted to enable network settings that were previously disabled, click Yes.

8. On the next screen, select which volume the virtual machines will be stored in and click Next.

9. Now wait a few minutes for the virtualization cluster to be created and, when it is created, click Finish.

10. Virtual Machine Manager should now open, showing whether the virtualization environment is working properly.

Step 2. Create a Windows 10 VM on Synology NAS.

Now lets proceed to create a Windows 10 virtual machine on the Virtual Machine Manager.

1. In Virtual Machine Manager, select the Virtual Machine tab on the left and then go to Create > Create.

2. At the next screen, choose the Operating System of the virtual machine you want to create (e.g. "Microsoft Windows" in this example), and click Next.

3. Now, select in which storage the virtual machine will be stored and click Next.

4. On the next screen, type a recognizable name for the virtual machine and below specify how many CPUs and how much RAM will be used for it. When done, click Next.

5. On the next screen, specify how much storage space in GB (e.g. "60" GB) will be used for the virtual machine disk (Drive C:) and click the Next button.

6. On the next screen, leave the Default VM Network selected and click Next.

7. Now click the Download button, to download the Synology Guest Tool with includes the required drivers for Windows virtual machines.

8. On the next screen, next to the option ISO file for bootup: click Browse.

9. Now, find and select on your NAS DiskStation the Windows 10 ISO file containing and click Select.

10. Now you can either change the rest of the settings according your preference (for example, you can change the "Firmware" type to "UEFI"), or to leave the defaults and click the Next button.

11. Now select which user(s) will have power management permissions (to turn the machine on/off) and click the Next button.

12. Finally review the configuration of the virtual machine and click Done.

13. Once the machine is created, click the Power on button to start it.

14. Finally, click the Connect button up top to open the Virtual Machine in a new Browser tab and continue installing Windows as you would on a physical machine.

That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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