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:
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.
# 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 windows 98 qcow2
qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compression_type=zlib win98.qcow2 2G Launch QEMU with the empty disk, boot floppy, and Windows 98 ISO:
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:
Always verify the conversion by booting the qcow2 image before deleting the original. The windows98.qcow2 combination represents the most flexible, efficient, and historically accurate way to run Microsoft’s classic OS on modern hardware. Qcow2’s snapshotting, compression, and backing file features turn Windows 98 from a fragile relic into a practical tool for retro-computing, software preservation, and legacy testing. Last updated: 2025 – Works with QEMU 9
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.
qemu-img snapshot -l win98.qcow2 Revert to snapshot:
qemu-img create -f qcow2 -b win98_clean.qcow2 win98_gaming.qcow2 The child image stores only changes; the base remains read-only. To commit changes back to base:
