⚙️ Set up self-hosted GitHub Actions runner on home server

[J-MaFf]

Self-Hosted GitHub Actions Windows Runner Setup

Current Status

⚠️ Step 4 - TROUBLESHOOTING - Windows 11 25H2 boot issues, pivoting to Windows 10

Progress

• ✅ Step 1: KVM/Libvirt infrastructure installed and verified

  • QEMU v10.1.0, Libvirt v11.6.0
  • VT-x virtualization enabled (16 cores)
  • libvirtd.service running with dnsmasq DHCP active

• ✅ Step 2: Windows 11 25H2 ISO downloaded and verified

  • ISO Location: ~/VMs/iso/Windows_11_verified.iso (7.3GB)
  • File verified: Bootable ISO 9660 filesystem
  • ❌ Boot fails: Error 0xc0000225 across all VM configurations

• ✅ Step 3: Virtual network bridge created

  • Bridge name: virbr0
  • Host IP: 192.168.122.1
  • Network: NAT with DHCP (192.168.122.2-254)
  • Interface: enp0s31f6

• 🔄 Step 4: Windows VM configuration - TESTING

  • Attempted configs: BIOS+IDE, BIOS+SATA, UEFI+q35, UEFI+TPM, raw disk passthrough
  • Issue: Windows 11 25H2 won't boot in QEMU/KVM (hypervisor incompatibility)
  • Solution: Switching to Windows 10 22H2 (more compatible boot structure)
  • USB /dev/sdb confirmed as bootable Windows media
  • Next: Create Windows 10 bootable USB, test if it boots

• ⏳ Step 5+: Pending successful Windows boot

Troubleshooting Summary (Windows 11)

Tested 10+ different VM configurations:

• Machine types: pc (BIOS), q35 (UEFI)
• Disk buses: IDE, SATA, virtio
• Boot sources: ISO (CDROM), USB passthrough, raw disk passthrough
• Graphics: VGA, QXL, SPICE, VNC
• Features: TPM 2.0, ACPI, APIC

All failed with same error code (0xc0000225). Ubuntu Server ISO boots successfully on same VM config, confirming hypervisor is correct.

Current Plan

• Windows 11 25H2 appears incompatible with QEMU/KVM setup
• Creating Windows 10 22H2 bootable USB as fallback
• If Windows 10 boots: Continue setup with Windows 10 instead
• If Windows 10 fails: Investigate deeper QEMU compatibility issues

Next Steps

1. Create Windows 10 22H2 USB via Media Creation Tool
2. Plug USB into Ubuntu server (/dev/sdc expected)
3. Boot VM from USB with raw disk passthrough
4. Test if Windows 10 installer loads
5. If successful: Complete Windows 10 installation and runner setup
6. If unsuccessful: Evaluate alternative hypervisors or approaches

VM Management Commands

virsh list
virsh dominfo github-runner-windows
virsh vncdisplay github-runner-windows
virsh destroy github-runner-windows
virsh undefine github-runner-windows --nvram

Notes

• Ubuntu home server has limited USB port availability (headless system)
• Media Creation Tool USB approach most practical
• Windows 11 requirement may not be feasible; Windows 10 acceptable alternative
• Runner functionality same in both Windows versions