Recommended Posts

I am studying for my MCSE and I am new to Hyper-V as I used VMWare Workstation for years previous for web development and self study.

 

I have a few questions?

 

In VMWare Workstation I could create folders in the Virtual Machines List so I could have Base Images, Domain A, bla.com, etc. What I would do is copy a virtual hard disk from the Base Images folder to another another and create another VM and link it to the VM. Viola I know copied the base Server2008 base image to A-DC1 domain controller etc.

 

Hyper V is confusing as I am trying to do the same. I tried export VM and then import VM and all it did was create 3 virtual machines?? One during the export and re-importing it forked it again as the virtual disk needed to be a different ID if correct? Also it gave it the same name. I want not only a different VM name, but also folder, disk, etc so I do not get confused

 

My question is how do I:

1. Create a folder in the Virtual Machines list as I have a ton of base images and plan to create several domains that can get large as I add more services in my lab

2. Copy or easily import/export a VM for my existing base images and have them appear in my virtual machines list without 3 different variations.

 

I figured I am just doing something wrong

Cant create folders on Hyper-V Manager Tool (I know sucks!) - Just have to name them correctly

 

Use Differencing Disks (http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/05/29/step-by-step-creating-differencing-disks.aspx) - Create Baseline VM, sysprep it, delete VM out off Hyper-V (But don't delete the disk) and then create new New VM within Hyper-V Manager Tool with no new hard drive, when done, open the settings on the VM and add a new harddrive but use the option "Differencing disk".

 

So your base line disk is used as a starting point but a new disk is created and anything new is put into this. Saves alot of time, FYI use a SSD if you can for the Baseline VHD file.

  On 18/06/2015 at 05:20, The_Observer said:

Cant create folders on Hyper-V Manager Tool (I know sucks!) - Just have to name them correctly

Use Differencing Disks (http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/05/29/step-by-step-creating-differencing-disks.aspx) - Create Baseline VM, sysprep it, delete VM out off Hyper-V (But don't delete the disk) and then create new New VM within Hyper-V Manager Tool with no new hard drive, when done, open the settings on the VM and add a new harddrive but use the option "Differencing disk".

So your base line disk is used as a starting point but a new disk is created and anything new is put into this. Saves alot of time, FYI use a SSD if you can for the Baseline VHD file.

Wouldn't it be easier if there was a cloning function?

Even the free virtualbox has this. So far I an disappointed in hyper-v but I am glad I am switching to it to learn as these quirks help me pass the exams.

I will read up and see if I can use your suggestion of a half way done sysprep. It would be great if any new vm would oob experience upon startup :-)

  On 18/06/2015 at 12:33, sinetheo said:

Wouldn't it be easier if there was a cloning function?

Even the free virtualbox has this. So far I an disappointed in hyper-v but I am glad I am switching to it to learn as these quirks help me pass the exams.

I will read up and see if I can use your suggestion of a half way done sysprep. It would be great if any new vm would oob experience upon startup :-)

it would but hyper-v's clone funciton is implimented by the user using ye old Copy and Paste method :(

  On 18/06/2015 at 05:20, The_Observer said:

Cant create folders on Hyper-V Manager Tool (I know sucks!) - Just have to name them correctly

 

Use Differencing Disks (http://blogs.technet.com/b/canitpro/archive/2013/05/29/step-by-step-creating-differencing-disks.aspx) - Create Baseline VM, sysprep it, delete VM out off Hyper-V (But don't delete the disk) and then create new New VM within Hyper-V Manager Tool with no new hard drive, when done, open the settings on the VM and add a new harddrive but use the option "Differencing disk".

 

So your base line disk is used as a starting point but a new disk is created and anything new is put into this. Saves alot of time, FYI use a SSD if you can for the Baseline VHD file.

 

A question?

 

Can I use the same copied virtual hard disks between different VM's or do I have to link to a read-only parent and set a diff for each VM to do this? 

  On 18/06/2015 at 18:34, sinetheo said:

A question?

 

Can I use the same copied virtual hard disks between different VM's or do I have to link to a read-only parent and set a diff for each VM to do this? 

 

Each VM would use the same Parent Read Only VHD file and each VM would create a new VHD with new data. You cant copy the and VM hard drive without Sysprep cause WIndows Server SSID (i think that is correct)

  • 2 weeks later...
  On 18/06/2015 at 23:29, The_Observer said:

Each VM would use the same Parent Read Only VHD file and each VM would create a new VHD with new data. You cant copy the and VM hard drive without Sysprep cause WIndows Server SSID (i think that is correct)

 

I call shenanigans on this.  Provided the computer isn't domain joined you can copy the VHD file and create as many VM's as you want from it.  I'd obviously recommend renaming them afterwards and ensuring you're using DHCP.

 

Source: Senior software tester on the Hyper-V project at Hitachi.  We do this for hundreds of VM's in test labs with no ill effects.  Secondary source: Mark Russinovich debunking the SID myth.

  On 02/07/2015 at 08:11, jamieakers said:

I call shenanigans on this.  Provided the computer isn't domain joined you can copy the VHD file and create as many VM's as you want from it.  I'd obviously recommend renaming them afterwards and ensuring you're using DHCP.

 

Source: Senior software tester on the Hyper-V project at Hitachi.  We do this for hundreds of VM's in test labs with no ill effects.  Secondary source: Mark Russinovich debunking the SID myth.

 

interesting, BUT For the DC you want to create from a clone, create a unique installation or run Sysprep. - Mark Russinovich. OP is studying for MSCE so he will want or need to create labs with DCs so sysprep would be needed. 

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Apple Intelligence can now analyze your iPhone's screen, offers live translation by Aditya Tiwari Alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and new AirPods features, Apple announced some stuff for Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2025. A highlight of the latest announcements is that developers can now access Apple's on-device foundation models, which power Apple Intelligence, to enhance their apps. Apple's Foundation Models framework enables developers to create AI-powered features and experiences that can also operate offline. "The framework has native support for Swift, so app developers can easily access the Apple Intelligence model with as few as three lines of code," Apple said, adding that the access is offered free of charge. Apple has introduced several new features for the general public. For starters, the new Live Translation feature works across Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls, using "Apple-built models that run entirely on device" to translate messages from one language to another. In other words, the feature can translate written text in Messages into the recipient's preferred language and display translated live captions while still hearing the speaker’s voice in FaceTime. Meanwhile, the translated text is spoken aloud on regular phone calls throughout the conversation. Visual Intelligence can now access a user's iPhone screen to answer questions and take action on the content being viewed on the screen across apps. Users can ask ChatGPT for details on specific objects and what they're looking at on their screen to learn more. They can also search Google, Etsy, and other supported apps to find similar images and products. Visual Intelligence can also identify events displayed on the screen and suggest adding them to the user's calendar. The updated Genmoji feature lets users mix emojis and combine them with text descriptions to generate something new. They can change expressions and adjust personal attributes, such as hairstyle, to match the latest look when making Genmojis inspired by their friends and family members. Image Playground has been updated to support new styles generated by ChatGPT, such as oil paintings or vector art. When users have a specific idea in mind, they can use the "Any Style" option. Apple Intelligence also powers the Shortcuts app, using on-device processing or Private Cloud Compute to generate responses that feed into the rest of the shortcut while maintaining privacy. For instance, Apple explained that "a student can build a shortcut that uses the Apple Intelligence model to compare an audio transcription of a class lecture to the notes they took, and add any key points they may have missed." Apple is integrating its AI features into more apps with subsequent OS updates. The Wallet app can now summarize order tracking details from emails sent by merchants and delivery carriers. It lets users check their full order details, progress notifications, and other details. In Messages, Apple Intelligence can suggest where a poll might come in handy, and users can create backgrounds to fit their chats using Image Playground. The new Apple Intelligence features are available for testing on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro through the Apple Developer Program. By the end of the year, Apple's AI suite will support more languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (traditional), and Vietnamese. You can read about Apple Intelligence in the official announcement post on Apple Newsroom.
    • Absolutely. Glass widgets, tabs, docks, Rainmeter, MicaForEveryone (gorgeous full glass explorer windows), etc. some of us never left the glass ecosphere. I actually hope this encourages MS to put those Acrylic/Mica/Glass hooks back into the OS as an option. It doesn't have to be the default, but some of us would love the choice.
    • I had deleted the folder after installing the update and then re-created the inetpub folder. Ran the script today even though the folder exists, it does some minor changes to the permissions and to the order of some.
    • Creating 1,250 jobs...in order to destroy two orders of magnitude more.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      CHUNWEI went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Enthusiast
      the420kid went up a rank
      Enthusiast
    • Conversation Starter
      NeoToad777 earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Week One Done
      VicByrd earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Reacting Well
      NeoToad777 earned a badge
      Reacting Well
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      474
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      267
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      256
    4. 4
      Edouard
      200
    5. 5
      snowy owl
      180
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!