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+--- Thread: How do you create a new virtual machine in Hyper-V? (/showthread.php?tid=54)
How do you create a new virtual machine in Hyper-V? - savas - 02-21-2024
Creating a new virtual machine in Hyper-V is pretty straightforward, and once you've done it a few times, it becomes second nature. First off, you’ll want to have Hyper-V installed and enabled on your Windows machine. If you haven't done that yet, it's worth checking out, as it's typically included in the Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows.
So, once Hyper-V is up and running, you’ll open the Hyper-V Manager. That’s where the magic starts. Just look for it in your list of apps or hit the Start menu and search for it. When you have the Hyper-V Manager open, the first thing you want to do is connect to your Hyper-V server, which is usually just your own machine if you’re not working in a large environment.
You’re going to see a section on the left with your server details. Right-click on your server name or select the option in the Actions pane to create a new virtual machine. There’s a wizard that will guide you through the process, which is super helpful. The first thing it’ll ask you is to give your new virtual machine a name; keep it something descriptive so you can remember what it’s for later on. You can also choose where to store the VM’s files if you want—whether on the default location or a different drive that has more space.
Next, you’ll choose the generation of the virtual machine. Generally, Generation 2 is the way to go unless you have specific needs for older systems, since it supports features like secure boot and UEFI. After that, you’ll set how much memory the VM can use. It's usually a good idea to allocate enough RAM for the OS and any applications you plan on running, but not so much that it starves your host machine.
Following that, the wizard prompts you to set up networking. If you’ve already got a virtual switch created, you can select it here. This will allow the VM to communicate with your network, which is essential if you're going to be using it for any kind of development or testing.
Now, you’ll have the option to create a virtual hard disk. You’ll pick the size, and Hyper-V lets you choose between fixed size and dynamically expanding disks. If you're unsure, dynamically expanding is a safe bet since it only uses space as needed.
Next comes the crucial step of installing the operating system. Hyper-V gives you several options here: you can boot from a DVD, an ISO file, or even a network. If you already have an ISO of the OS you want to install, just point Hyper-V to that file. The wizard lets you do this easily.
When you've configured all that, you just hit finish, and there you go! Your VM will appear in the list on the left side of the Hyper-V Manager. From there, you can right-click on your new VM and start it up.
Now, just sit back and watch as it boots up. If you pointed it to an ISO, it should load up the installer, and then you're on your way to setting up your OS just like you would on any physical machine. It's really that simple! Setting up virtual machines is a game-changer for testing, development, or even just playing around, so enjoy experimenting with it!
I hope my post was useful. Are you new to Hyper-V and do you have a good Hyper-V backup solution? See my other post