Proxmox Upload ISO: Step-by-Step Guide (GUI + CLI)

If you’re just getting started with Proxmox or setting up a new virtual machine, one of the first things you’ll need to do is upload an ISO file. This Proxmox upload ISO guide will walk you through how to do it using both the web GUI and the command line, plus tips on where ISO files are stored and how to manage storage effectively.

In this guide, I’ll explain both methods, where Proxmox stores ISO files, how to manage ISO storage, and a few helpful tips I’ve picked up from working with Proxmox daily.

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Where Does Proxmox Store ISO Files?

Before uploading anything, it’s useful to know where ISO files are stored. By default, Proxmox stores ISO images in this directory:

/var/lib/vz/template/iso/

This is the ISO location used when you upload files via the web GUI. If you have multiple storage locations defined in your Proxmox setup, you can also store ISO files in other storage pools like ZFS or NFS-based storage—just make sure it’s marked as “ISO image” compatible in the storage configuration.

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Uploading ISO Images via the Proxmox Web UI

This is the easiest method and recommended for most users.

1. Log in to the Web Interface
   Visit https://your-proxmox-ip:8006 and sign in.
2. Select Your Node and Storage
   On the left panel, choose your node (e.g., pve) and open the storage location (like local).
3. Go to ISO Images Tab
   Switch to the Content tab, then select ISO Images.

1. Upload ISO File
   Click Upload, choose the ISO from your local machine, and begin the upload.

Note: Uploading an ISO file can take some time, especially if it’s large or your network connection is slow. For example, a 2GB ISO on a slow Wi-Fi connection might take several minutes.

Important: The web interface currently allows uploading one ISO file at a time. If you want to upload multiple ISOs in bulk, you’ll need to use an FTP client or the command line method (see below).

Size Limit Tip: Some Proxmox setups may impose a default upload size limit (~2 GB). This can be changed by editing the pveproxy settings in /etc/default/pveproxy and increasing MAX_BODY_SIZE.

Tip: If you run into problems uploading an ISO—such as failed uploads or disappearing files—it’s often due to storage space issues or misconfigured storage. Here’s a helpful forum thread where a user resolved such a problem

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Upload ISO to Proxmox Using the Command Line

If you prefer working in the terminal or want to automate the process, you can upload ISO files using scp or rsync.

1. Using SCP

From your local machine:

scp /path/to/your.iso root@your-proxmox-ip:/var/lib/vz/template/iso/

You’ll be prompted for the Proxmox root password. Once transferred, the ISO will appear in the web interface under the appropriate storage.

2. Using rsync (for larger ISOs or automation)

rsync -avz /path/to/your.iso root@your-proxmox-ip:/var/lib/vz/template/iso/

You can also script this method to upload multiple ISOs in one go.

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What to Do After Uploading the ISO

Once the ISO image is uploaded, it becomes available when you create a new virtual machine in Proxmox.

During the VM creation wizard:

1. On the OS tab, you can choose the ISO image to install the operating system
2. Simply choose the uploaded ISO from the dropdown under the “ISO Image” section.

That’s it—your ISO is ready to be used for deploying the operating system on your virtual machine.

How to Add ISO Storage in Proxmox server

If you want to organize ISO files or use a dedicated disk or NFS share, you can add another storage location.

Steps:

1. In the Web UI, go to Datacenter > Storage > Add.
2. Choose your storage type (e.g., Directory, NFS, ZFS).
3. In the “Content” field, make sure to check ISO image.
4. Save the changes.

The new storage will now show up under your node and will accept ISO uploads.

Important: ISO images uploaded to local storage are only available on that specific node. If you’re working with a Proxmox cluster and want to access the same ISO images from multiple nodes, you’ll need to add the storage using a shared backend like NFS, Ceph, or iSCSI—so that all nodes can access the same files.

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Final Thoughts

Uploading ISOs in Proxmox is simple once you know where the files go and which method suits your workflow. For quick uploads, I stick with the GUI. For bulk or scripted setups, command line tools like scp or rsync are my go-to.

If you’re working with Proxmox often, keeping your ISO library organized and backed up is a good habit—especially when dealing with custom or older OS installers.

Got any Proxmox ISO tips of your own? Let me know in the comments or on my subreddit r/navigatetech.