Described embodiments provide systems and methods for running virtual machines based by probing installation media. A media probe executing on one or more processors may identify an installation media for configuring a virtual machine on a type of operating system. The media probe may detect the type of operating system from the installation media. A virtualization manager executing on the one or more processors may determine a virtualization mode for configuration of the virtual machine based on the type of operating system detected from the installation media. The virtualization manager may create the virtual machine in accordance with the virtualization mode determined based on the type of operating system.