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+--- Thread: How can you restore a virtual machine from a checkpoint in Hyper-V? (/showthread.php?tid=859)
How can you restore a virtual machine from a checkpoint in Hyper-V? - savas - 06-18-2020
Restoring a virtual machine from a checkpoint in Hyper-V is a pretty straightforward process once you get the hang of it. Basically, checkpoints in Hyper-V act like snapshots, allowing you to save the VM's state at a particular moment. If something goes wrong after that, you can roll back to the checkpoint, which is super handy.
So, to start, you’ll want to open up the Hyper-V Manager. It’s usually installed as a feature on Windows Server or Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise versions. Once you’re in there, you’ll see a list of your virtual machines. Find the one you want to restore, and make sure it's powered off first. You can’t restore from a checkpoint while the VM is running, so that’s a crucial step.
Now, once the VM is off, you can look in the "Checkpoints" section in the bottom right corner of the Hyper-V Manager. Click on it, and you’ll see a list of the available checkpoints that you've made for that virtual machine. Each checkpoint will have a timestamp, which helps you decide which one to go back to.
When you find the checkpoint you want, right-click on it and select “Apply.” You’ll get a prompt asking if you want to create a new checkpoint before applying the existing one. It’s usually a good idea to do this, just in case you want to revert back again later. So, go ahead and hit "Yes" to create that new checkpoint.
After you've done that, Hyper-V will start working its magic. It will restore the VM to the state it was in at that checkpoint. Once it's done, you can start the VM again, and it’ll be just as it was when you first took that snapshot.
Remember that restoring from a checkpoint means that any changes made after that point will be lost. This is why it’s so important to make regular checkpoints, especially before major updates or changes. It gives you a safety net.
If you're managing a lot of VMs or working in a production environment, I definitely recommend keeping an eye on your checkpoints. Over time, having too many can clutter up the manager and impact performance. It’s smart to delete old checkpoints that aren't needed anymore once you confirm everything is running smoothly.
That’s pretty much it! It’s a quick and efficient way to roll back and recover when things don’t go as planned.
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