Windows 98 Qcow2 — Plus

qemu-img create -f qcow2 win98.qcow2 8G

QCOW2 is the native storage format for QEMU. It is preferred for vintage OS virtualization because it supports thin provisioning windows 98 qcow2

qemu-img resize win98.qcow2 +2G

Using a Windows 98 qcow2 image means running Microsoft’s classic consumer OS inside QEMU or a libvirt-based hypervisor (like virt-manager) on a Linux host. This is not about bare metal or dual-booting; it’s about encapsulating a legacy OS in a modern, manageable file. qemu-img create -f qcow2 win98

qemu-img snapshot -a "Before Screensaver" win98se.qcow2 qemu-img snapshot -a "Before Screensaver" win98se

While the standard Cirrus driver works, it is slow and limited. For a modern experience, use the project. This is an open-source, native Windows 98 driver that allows for higher resolutions (up to 1080p) and better performance.

Sadly, QEMU Guest Agent doesn't exist for Win98. However, install the for high-resolution VESA modes, and the Crystal Audio driver for Sound Blaster emulation.