qemu-img convert -O qcow2 -c win98.qcow2 win98_compacted.qcow2 The -c flag enables compression. This can shrink a 2 GB logical image to 300–500 MB. Snapshots for Safe Tinkering Take a snapshot before installing dubious software:
Introduction For retro-computing enthusiasts, developers testing legacy software, or gamers revisiting classics like Fallout , Age of Empires , or The Sims , running Windows 98 today presents a challenge. Modern hardware lacks drivers for this 1998 operating system, and virtualization is the most practical solution.
Whether you are a nostalgic gamer, a digital archivist, or a legacy system maintainer, mastering the creation and optimization of Windows 98 qcow2 images opens a reliable gateway to the late 1990s PC environment—without the blue screens of yesteryear (or at least, only authentic ones). Last updated: 2025 – Works with QEMU 9.x and Windows 98 SE. windows 98 qcow2
# VMDK to qcow2 qemu-img convert -f vmdk windows98.vmdk -O qcow2 win98.qcow2 qemu-img convert -f vdi windows98.vdi -O qcow2 win98.qcow2 Raw IMG to qcow2 qemu-img convert -f raw windows98.img -O qcow2 win98.qcow2
qemu-img snapshot -a before_install win98.qcow2 Snapshots are nearly instant and invaluable when testing malware or unstable drivers. Create a base clean Windows 98 image, then create child images for different projects: qemu-img convert -O qcow2 -c win98
qemu-img snapshot -c before_install win98.qcow2 List snapshots:
qemu-img snapshot -l win98.qcow2 Revert to snapshot: Modern hardware lacks drivers for this 1998 operating
qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compression_type=zlib win98.qcow2 2G Launch QEMU with the empty disk, boot floppy, and Windows 98 ISO: