Hyper-V - How to Use in Windows 8

Dwarf · Sep 18, 2011

How to Create a Hyper-V Virtual Machine in Windows 8 and 8.1

Information

The Hyper-V technology provides an environment that you can use to create and manage virtual machines and their resources. Each virtual machine is an isolated, virtualized computer system that is capable of running its own operating system. This allows you to run multiple operating systems at the same time on the same physical computer.

This tutorial will show you how to use the built-in Hyper Virtualisation (Hyper-V) in Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Enterprise to install and run a guest OS.

Note

You will need to enable the Hyper-V components as detailed under Preparation first before proceeding. Note that not all systems will support this, so if yours doesn't, you won't be able to go any further. Sorry.

To create a Hyper-V client, you must have a 64-bit version of Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Enterprise with a 64-bit CPU that supports SLAT (Second Level Address Translation). You’ll also need at least 4GB of RAM. Hyper-V does support creation of both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems in the VMs.

For more info, see also: Bringing Hyper-V to "Windows 8"

Preparation:

The first thing we need to do is to enable the Hyper-V components. To do this, we need to turn them on.

Open Windows Features. Provide Administrative credentials if prompted by UAC.

Expand the Hyper-V sub-section and ensure that all options are checked (ticked) as shown below. Click on OK and restart your computer to apply changes.

If all options remain checked after a reboot, and you haven't received any error messages, then you are good to go. Continue with the next section, Here's How:. If not, then I'm sorry but your system doesn't support this feature.

Here's How:

If you have successfully carried out the Preparation, you will notice a couple of new icons on the Metro Start Page. These are Hyper-V Manager and Hyper-V Virtual Machine...

1. In order to install a guest OS (and I'm using Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x86 for this Tutorial), we need to run the Hyper-V Manager, so click on its icon. to bring up the following screen:

2. In order to allow the guest OS to have network access, we need to make a configuration change. Under the Actions panel, click Virtual Switch Manager... from above.

3. We need to create an External type switch, so ensure that this option is highlighted as shown and then click Create virtual switch.

4. Ensure that the options are set as shown below (note that the actual name of the adapter will depend on your hardware) and then click OK.

5. Take note of the above warning, and click Yes to complete the operation. You will then be returned to the Hyper-V Manager.

6. Under the Actions panel, click New and then Virtual Machine... to bring up the following screen:

7. To move through the screens of the Wizard, click Next and to review settings, click Previous. Click Next to continue.

Here, I have given a suitable name for my guest OS (the Virtual Machine). You can choose a location to save this VM to, but here I have left it as the default. Click Next to continue.

8. I have assigned 1024MB of RAM for this VM (this figure will depend on the amount of RAM you have installed), and I have also checked the option Enable Hyper-V to manage the memory amount dynamically for this VM. Click Next to continue.

9. In the Connection: dropbox, select the adapter you created earlier. Click on Next to continue.

10. The only option that you should need to change here is the Size: of the virtual hard disk. I have changed mine to 32GB. Click Next to continue.

11. Here, I have specified the source .iso file that will be used for the installation. Click Next to continue.

12. This screen is just a summary of the previous ones. If you want to make any changes before committing yourself, you can do so by using Previous and Next to move through the other screens. When you are satisfied, click on Finish to continue. The Virtual Hard Disk will now be created, and you will then see the following screen.

13. Under the Actions panel, click Start to run the VM. Note that there might be a slight delay the first time it is run. Click on Connect... to bring up the main screen. Alternatively, double-click the image to expand the main screen.

14. If you click inside this screen, your cursor will be captured and will then only function in the VM. Install the OS just as you would normally. Note that installation will be slower under a VM compared to a native (normal) install.

Related Tutorials

z3r010 · Sep 19, 2011

Great work Dwarf :thumbsup:

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

z3r010 said:

Had already set up and tried Hyper V + Windows 8 (Trial & Error method) and taking forever to configure a working network adapter I then discovered there is no native support for sound devices in Hyper V. After unsuccessfully searching for a working solution I have temporarily given up until more information is published as the help files are still under construction.

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

Here it is. Windows Vista SP2 x86 running as a Hyper-V guest OS.

At the moment, there is no network connectivity and no audio. Graphics is just generic. But it is running. I'll see what I can do as regards these functionality problems, but in the meantime if anyone can come up with any answers it would be appreciated.

mikedl · Sep 19, 2011

Wow, Dwarf, very, very nice! Thanks!

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

Dwarf I have established a working network connection in the Hyper V Windows 8 Virtual Machine and host. Note that the network Icons are both connected and the time is different on each task bar in the snip and this thread is also visible from the Hyper V VM .

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

Nice. What did you do to get networking enabled in the guest OS ?

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

Dwarf said:

It's hard to explain really but I took snips of my working settings and will explain as best I can and have a wired connection.

First I set my virtual switch in the Virtual Switch Manager (note: check mark and arrow)

Second in the developer preview section under settings I un-checked the VLAN ID box below "New Virtual Switch"

After making these settings and still having no connection I diagnosed the connection in network and sharing center and ran the network troubleshooter and the message below appeared which was solved by renewing my IP address by disconnecting the power and ethernet cables from the modem for 10 seconds then reconnecting. Note it took an few tries before this worked and you will have to wait a few minutes before the network is identified after renewing IP Address.

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

Your Hyper-V settings are the same as mine, but I still don't get the connection with Windows Vista SP2 x64. Let me try a different OS and report back.

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

Dwarf said:

Maybe I just got lucky as there was a lot of trial and error involved, like you I had the same settings before and still did not have a connection but just kept repeating the process until somehow I was successful.

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

I've just installed the WindowsDeveloperPreview-32bit-English as a VM using exactly the same settings as in the Tutorial, and I got network connectivity straight away. Here's the proof:

The only thing that I can think of is that the emulated hardware (network adapter) isn't supported in Vista but is in WDP.

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

Dwarf Google "really is your friend" if it worked straight away. Glad you got it working and looking forward to your updated Tut.

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

I don't think that there is any need to change/update the Tutorial. The basic functionality is there, and we have served to show that not all guest OSes are able to have network connectivity.

IownAmoneyPit · Sep 19, 2011

Dwarf said:

Hopefully Microsoft will improve Hyper V to support all OS's and sound, USB support or integrate with Virtual PC which already includes sound support and USB support.

Dwarf · Sep 19, 2011

I hope so as well. It would be nice to be able to install an OS under Hyper-V and have full functionality with network connectivity, audio, graphics, etc.

favouritekid · Sep 19, 2011

Dear Dwarf,you can teach me how to create virtual machines using Hyper V-manager ?

Brink · Sep 19, 2011

Hello Favouritekid, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The tutorial on the first page will pretty much show you how to. If you have any specific questions on it, then please feel free to ask.

FrankLesniak · Sep 22, 2011

Bridged to Wireless... Little Flakey?

Finally have this working with an "External" Virtual Switch set to my wireless NIC (and the checkbox checked to "Allow management operating system to share this network adapter"). Took a few tries (setting and unsetting the configuration). Anyone else tried bridging to wireless?

favouritekid · Sep 25, 2011

why my computer does not have the "Hyper-v core" option?

I can't create virtual machine!!

Dwarf · Sep 25, 2011

Have you tried enabling the options that you do have?

Does your processor support this? Run GRC*|*SecurAble: Determine Processor Security Features*|** to find out.

Hyper-V - How to Use in Windows 8

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