Hyper-V - How to Use in Windows 8

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:

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a Linux Hyper-V Virtual Machine in Windows 8
• How to Create a Hyper-V "Remote File Browser" Shortcut in Windows 8
• How to Create a Hyper-V Manager Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove "Hyper-V Manager" to Control Panel in Windows 8
• How to Change Default Virtual Hard Disk Location in Hyper-V
• How to Convert Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disk to VHD or VHDX
• How to Enable and Disable Hyper-V in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Turn On or Off Hyper-V Enhanced Session Mode in Windows 8.1
• How to Speed Up Performance of a Virtual Machine
• How to Export and Import a Hyper-V Virtual Machine in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Completely Delete a Hyper-V Virtual Machine in Windows 8, 8.1, and Server 2012

 

[favouritekid]

My processor supported "Windows 7 - XP mode",it's can run on windows 8!!!

 

[Dwarf]

What processor do you have?

 

[favouritekid]

My processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2,0Ghz
Mainboard: Gigabyte 945

 

[FrankLesniak]

favouritekid,

Can you clarify what you mean by "Hyper-V Core"? Are you referring to the free "Hyper-V Server" version of Windows Server 2008 R2 that allowed you to run Hyper-V? Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - Microsoft® Hyper-V

If you are referring to the above command prompt-only flavor of the operating system, your best bet would be to install Windows 8 Server (Server Core). Then you can add the Hyper-V server role by using the dism.exe command.

Perhaps you should consider opening a new thread that better articulates what you are looking for.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[churin]

After running Hyper-V Manager, I get the following which is different from that shown in the tutorial. What am I doing wrong? Or is there anything I can do from here to bring me back on track?

 

[Brink]

Hello Churin,

Where you able to check the Hyper-V Platform option in Windows Features as well?

If not, then your CPU may not support it.

 

[churin]

Hi, Brink,

I do not necessarily fully understand your reply, but how can I check to see if my cpu support Hyper-V?

 

[pparks1]

In order to run Hyper-V in Windows 8 client, your CPU must support SLAT (Second Level Address Translation). It's also know an Intel EPT (Extended Paging tables).

Sadly, if you aren't running a core i3/i5/i7 series, you aren't going to have SLAT support. I just had to replace a Core 2 Duo at work in my main desktop as it didn't have SLAT support. My laptop is running a Core 2 Duo P8600...and it does NOT have SLAT support either.

Here is a useful link with an easy method to double check for your SLAT support
How to Check if Your CPU Supports Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) - How-To Geek

 

[churin]

I checked if my CPU supports SLAT by following the referenced article. It appears to support SLAT. Please see the following:

 

[Brink]

Churin,

It looks like the "Console tree" has been set to hide in the Hyper-V Manager. In the Hyper-V Manager, click on View (Menu bar) and Customize. Next, check the Console tree option and click OK to see if that restores it.

 

[churin]

Brink,

I have found that the console tree must have been turned off when I took that snapshot of Hyper-V Manager. This was probably because I clicked the icon for "Show/Hide console tree". I have now turned it on, so that "Hyper-V Manager" is shown on the left most column. This is still different from what the tutorial shows and I could not figure out how to proceed from here.

 

[Brink]

Good. One down, and one to go. Yep, under "Hyper-V Manager" should be your computer name to select.

Double check your BIOS settings to make sure that anything virtual is enabled.

Next, double check in Windows Features to make sure that you have all 5 items below checked.

 

[churin]

I thought I did the step for turning on VM features, but for some reason Hyper-V Platform is not check-marked.
Now I am on track to proceed. When everything is done I will certainly post back.

 

[Brink]

That's great news Churin. I hope the rest goes smoothly for you.

 

[churin]

I followed the tutorial's steps to the end. Now, I can run the guest OS of XP and switch back and forth between the guest and the host.

My remaining problems are that 1) no networking(NIC not recognized), 2) no DVD drive and 3) video controller driver not installed.
Is there another tutorial which covers the above?

 

[Hopachi]

I followed the tutorial's steps to the end. Now, I can run the guest OS of XP and switch back and forth between the guest and the host.

My remaining problems are that 1) no networking(NIC not recognized), 2) no DVD drive and 3) video controller driver not installed.
Is there another tutorial which covers the above?

First of all, try installing the integration components (inserts as a virtual cd on the XP guest) then you get a better video controller (not much but better) and you can resize the screen to any resolution.

The network adapter should have drivers on the guest or it will be not installed (just like in the tutorial). Try to choose another adapter on the Hyper-V settings window.

For the sound: I'm afraid you need some more advanced stuff to do in order to work (redirection) and I'm also don't know how to apply that (that's why I use VirtualBox or VMware Player for VM's with sound).

Cheers
Hopachi

 

[churin]

First of all, try installing the integration components (inserts as a virtual cd on the XP guest) then you get a better video controller (not much but better) and you can resize the screen to any resolution.

What is the integration components?
How to insert something as a vertual cd on the guest os?

The network adapter should have drivers on the guestor it will be not installed (just like in the tutorial)

Does the above mean the problem is less likely to happen if I pick newer OS as the guest?

. Try to choose another adapter on the Hyper-V settings window.

Does the above suggest that a new adapter be installed whose drivers come with the quest OS?


I thought if a guest os is once installed, installing devices and their drivers can be done as the same ways for normal OS installation.

 

[Hopachi]

First of all, try installing the integration components (inserts as a virtual cd on the XP guest) then you get a better video controller (not much but better) and you can resize the screen to any resolution.

What is the integration components?
How to insert something as a vertual cd on the guest os?

The network adapter should have drivers on the guestor it will be not installed (just like in the tutorial)

Does the above mean the problem is less likely to happen if I pick newer OS as the guest?

. Try to choose another adapter on the Hyper-V settings window.

Does the above suggest that a new adapter be installed whose drivers come with the quest OS?


I thought if a guest os is once installed, installing devices and their drivers can be done as the same ways for normal OS installation.

Integration Services (not components, sorry). See this link: Windows 8 Hyper-V Improved Integration Services Setup | Working Hard In IT

The default adapter seem to work on a Win8 guest so that means is supported but not by all guests.
Yes, you should try another adapter, and with luck, it may work, otherwise try to find the drivers yourself.
Anyway the integration services may install all missing drivers.

Good luck.

 

[churin]

Regarding the "Integration Services", the linked article refers to "Virtual Machine console" and "navigate to Action and select Insert Integration Services Setup Disk". How can I get to "Virtual Machine console"?

 

[Hopachi]

Regarding the "Integration Services", the linked article refers to "Virtual Machine console" and "navigate to Action and select Insert Integration Services Setup Disk". How can I get to "Virtual Machine console"?

That's the graphic interface of your virtual machine. Do you even see your VM XP desktop? There has to be a menu there.

This is it:

To use the virtual machine interactively all I need to do is connect to it. I can click the Connect link in the Actions menu or double-click the virtual machine name. Hyper-V will then create a session to the virtual machine console

See this: Import Virtual Machine in Windows 8 Client Hyper-V

Then you should see the menu:


This should fix the issue.

Regards
Hopachi