How to Install OpenClaw with MiniMax M2.1 on Windows (Using Hyper-V & Ubuntu VM)

So you want to try OpenClaw — the open-source AI agent that can manage files, send messages, write code, and automate tasks through your favourite messaging apps. Great choice. But here's the thing: you really shouldn't install it directly on your main PC.

OpenClaw gets access to your file system. It can run commands. It can create, edit, and delete files. That's the whole point — but it also means you don't want it anywhere near your personal documents, saved passwords, or work files.

The solution? Run it inside a virtual machine. This guide walks you through the entire process from scratch, including every error I hit along the way and how I fixed them.

What you'll need:

Part 1: Setting Up Hyper-V and Ubuntu

Step 1: Enable Hyper-V on Windows

Hyper-V is a built-in virtualisation feature on Windows Pro editions. If you've got the Home edition, skip to the note below.

Go to Control Panel, then Programs and Features, then Turn Windows features on or off. Tick the Hyper-V checkbox and restart your PC.

After restarting, search for "Hyper-V Manager" in your Start menu. If it appears, you're sorted.

Using Windows Home? You'll need VirtualBox (free) or VMware Workstation Player instead. The Ubuntu installation steps are basically the same.

Step 2: Create an Ubuntu Virtual Machine

In Hyper-V Manager, click Quick Create (top-right). Select Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and click Create Virtual Machine. Hyper-V downloads and configures everything automatically.

Step 3: First Boot and Setup

Click Connect, then Start. Ubuntu walks you through initial setup:

If Ubuntu gets stuck on a loading screen, just shut down the VM and start it again. This happens occasionally with Hyper-V and is nothing to worry about.

Part 2: Installing OpenClaw with MiniMax

Open a terminal in Ubuntu by right-clicking the desktop and selecting Open in Terminal.

Step 4: Update the System and Install Dependencies

sudo apt update && sudo apt install curl git -y

You'll be asked for your password. It won't show characters as you type — that's normal. Just type it and press Enter.

Step 5: Install Node.js 22

OpenClaw requires Node.js 22+. Ubuntu doesn't include this by default:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install nodejs -y

Verify it worked:

node --version
npm --version

You should see v22.x.x and 10.x.x. Both need to show a version number before continuing.

Step 6: Fix npm Permissions

Without this step, you'll hit a permission error when installing OpenClaw. Run these four lines:

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

This only needs doing once.

Step 7: Install OpenClaw with MiniMax

MiniMax provides a custom installer that sets up OpenClaw and MiniMax OAuth together:

cd ~
curl -fsSL https://skyler-agent.github.io/oclaw/i.sh | bash

Always run `cd ~` first. Running the installer from a deleted or moved directory causes an ENOENT uv_cwd error.

Step 8: Follow the Setup Wizard

The installer launches an interactive wizard. Here's exactly what to pick:

OAuth times out! When the browser opens for MiniMax, sign in and authorise straight away. If it expires, run openclaw configure and pick MiniMax, then MiniMax OAuth, then Global to try again.

Part 3: Creating a Telegram Bot

If you've already got a bot token, skip to Step 10.

Step 9: Create a Bot via BotFather

Open Telegram and search for @BotFather. Send /newbot. It asks two questions:

BotFather replies with your bot token. It looks like 7123456789:AAH...xyz. Copy it — you need it for Step 8.

Part 4: Connect Everything

Step 10: Reload Your Shell

source ~/.bashrc
export PATH="$HOME/.npm-global/bin:$PATH"

Step 11: Health Check

openclaw doctor

If it asks to generate a gateway token, select Yes. If it asks to install the gateway service, select Yes, then choose Node.

Step 12: Start the Gateway

openclaw gateway stop
openclaw gateway start

Step 13: Pair Telegram

Message your bot on Telegram. It replies with a pairing code. Copy that code and run:

openclaw pairing approve telegram YOUR_CODE_HERE

Step 14: Test It

From the terminal:

openclaw tui

Type "hi" — MiniMax M2.1 should respond. You can also chat through Telegram or open the web dashboard:

openclaw dashboard

That's it. You're done. OpenClaw is running inside your Ubuntu VM, connected to MiniMax, accessible from your phone via Telegram. You can minimise the VM and it keeps working in the background.

What Can You Actually Do With This?

Once connected, you can chat with your AI agent through Telegram from your phone. It has access to the VM's file system, so you can ask it to:

In my testing, it created a text file with 50 business ideas in literally a couple of seconds. The speed is impressive for a free model.

Troubleshooting: If This Error Comes, Do This

If All Else Fails: Complete Reset

If nothing works and you want to start completely fresh, run this:

openclaw uninstall --all --yes --non-interactive
npm rm -g openclaw
rm -rf ~/.openclaw ~/.clawdbot ~/.moltbot ~/.molthub ~/install.sh

Verify it's gone:

which openclaw

Should return nothing. Go back to Step 7 and start fresh.

Quick Reference: All Commands