How to Set Up Proxmox VE: A Beginner's Guide (2026)
Proxmox VE is the free, open-source hypervisor at the heart of most modern homelabs. It lets one machine run many isolated virtual machines (VMs) and lightweight LXC containers — so a single mini PC can host your Pi-hole, a media server, Home Assistant, and a dozen Docker apps at once. Here's how to get started.
1. Pick your hardware
Proxmox runs on almost any x86 machine, but a low-power mini PC is the sweet spot — quiet, efficient, and capable. Aim for at least 32GB of RAM if you plan to run several VMs, and put your OS on one SSD with VM storage on another.
2. Create the installer
Download the Proxmox VE ISO from proxmox.com, then write it to a USB stick with a tool like Balena Etcher or Rufus. Boot the target machine from the USB and follow the graphical installer — it's a straightforward next-next-finish process.
3. First boot & the web UI
After install, Proxmox shows an address like https://192.168.1.50:8006. Open that in a browser, log in as root, and you're in the web dashboard — no extra software needed. (You'll get a certificate warning the first time; that's expected on a local install.)
4. Create your first VM or container
Upload an ISO (for a full VM) or grab an LXC template (for a lightweight container) under your node's storage, then click Create VM / Create CT. Containers are perfect for single apps and use far fewer resources; VMs are best when you need a full, isolated OS.
5. Back it up
Set a scheduled backup job, and put the whole thing on a UPS so a power blip never corrupts a running VM. That one habit saves more homelabs than any other.
What you'll need
A capable mini PC, enough RAM, a fast SSD, and a UPS. See our starter kit for a complete first build.
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