Hyper-V - How to create a virtual machine

This blog describes the steps on how to create a virtual machine in Hyper-V. See this blog for more information on enabling Hyper-V in Windows 8. 

The required steps are the following:

1. Open the Hyper-V Manager using the start menu (type 'Hyper-V').

2. The Hyper-V Manager is opened. Go to Actions, to create a new virtual machine:

3. A wizard will appear. Click Next on the first screen. On the second screen you can give your virtual machine a name:

 

 

4. After giving the VM a name, click next to get the next screen. Here you can assign the amount of startup memory for your machine. We have chosen for 2 GB in the example.



 

5. Click Next again and Next to set an optional networkconnection (these settings can be altered later on if neccessary).

 

 

6. Click Next again to setup the settings for your virtual hard drive.

 

 

7. Again click next to setup the installation options. You can choose to boot from the network, load an iso or other bootable media, or to skip this step for now.  

 

 

8. Click next again for a summary of your settings, and click finish to end the wizard. 

 

9. You will return to the Hyper-V Manager. Here you will find an overview of all your virtual machines. Right-click your created machine, and click on Connect...

10. Now you will see the screen below. Here you can start, inspect, shut down and snapshot your virtual machine.

 

 

 

 

11. Press the on/off switch to start the computer. With the 'media' menu you can insert an iso to install Windows or Linux(as an example)

 



 



 

Free Hyper-V in Windows 8! How do I enable this?

Like some of you might already know, Hyper-V is a free feature in Windows 8 nowadays! This will save you an expensive VMWare license. The only thing what you need is to activate the feature (and also you'll need a computer with VT technology). Here's how:

1. Go to the Control panel, and browse to Programs and Features. 
   
2. Choose "Turn Windows features on or off"

 

3. Check the box in front of Hyper-V, and klik OK. Navigate through all the questions, and reboot your computer at the end when asked.







4. Once booted back up, you can find the Hyper-V applications in your Start Menu, when looking for "Hyper". Here is what you will see:

 

With the Hyper-V Manager you can create and manage new VM's!