Windows 10: Hyper-V Nested Virtualization: Run virtual machines on virtual machine

How to: Hyper-V Nested Virtualization: Run virtual machines on virtual machine


Information Nested Virtualization means that user can enable Hyper-V on existing virtual machines, and run virtual machines and Windows Sandbox on them.

To make Nested Virtualization to work, it and MAC Address Spoofing or NAT networking must be enabled separately for each first level host VM. The script in this tutorial will use MAC Spoofing.

Wikipedia:

To be honest, this is a feature that only interests real virtualization enthusiasts. One practical use is to run emulators or other software that requires regular restarts on a second level nested VM on first level VM, to avoid restarting host.

I use Nested Virtualization to save current state of Hyper-V Production Checkpoints.

If you want to enable Hyper-V on your Hyper-V virtual machines, this tutorial shows how to do it with a simple PowerShell script.

Enable Nested Virtualizationt1) The script to enable Nested Virtualization:

Code:

You can download the script from my OneDrive:

Download

As always with downloaded content, be sure to unblock downloaded file before using it!

2) Check that running local scripts in PowerShell is enabled (tutorial):




3) Be sure the virtual machine on which you want to allow nested virtualization is turned off. Run the script by right clicking it and selecting Run with PowerShell:




Alternatively, if using PowerShell ISE, open the script from File menu and press F5 to run it:




4) If PowerShell warns you about Execution Policy change, press Y to accept it:




5) Running the script, it will auto elevate (switch to admin mode if started in normal user mode), and lists all current Hyper-V virtual machines on your host:




6) Type or Copy & Paste the name of the virtual machine on which you want to enable nested virtualization, press Enter.


Tip In PowerShell (and in Command Prompt), you cannot copy using context menu (mouse right click, select Copy). Also, by default Copy & Paste with keyboard shortcuts is disabled, although it can be enabled in PowerShell (and Command Prompt) Properties in Options tab.

Instead, mark the string you want to copy with mouse, in this case name of a VM. To mark a string, press and hold down mouse left button on top of first character, and move to end of the string you want to copy. Release the mouse button, press Enter to copy.

Pasting is done with right mouse button.




7) That's it. Nested virtualization on selected VM is now enabled:




8) Start the VM, setup Hyper-V on it (tutorial). In screenshot I am running Windows 7 on a Hyper-V VM on Windows 10 Hyper-V VM running on my host computer:



Happy virtualization, geeks!

Kari

:)

 

Hyper-V, VM, Virtual Machine

You will have to ensure the Virtual Machine is running and connected to the Internet.

This means the physical host, the machine itself must be connected.

Review:

Configure Remote Desktop connection to Hyper-V Virtual Machine ...

 

Hyper V Import Virtual Machine

There is separate default folders for Virtual Machines and Virtual Hard Disks

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Hyper-V

This folder contains all settings for each Virtual machines.

Have you changed that folder?

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks

This folder contains only virtual disks. On your case it's changed to E:\HyperV\...

When you want import VM you need to search it from that first location.

You can check this location from Hyper-V settings.

If you can't import existing VM's you can create 3 new Virtual Machines.

When creating those select option Use existing Virtual Disk and point disks from E:\HyperV\...

 

Hyper V not connecting to virtual machine

Suddenly, Hyper V would not connect to any Virtual Machine using the Virtual Machine Connection. I trying creating new VMs and nothing worked. I am using Windows 10 Education.

 

Hyper-V Virtual Machine not recognised

The folder where your VM is do you see a .vhd file?

Here is a great article step by step on how to import VM into hyper-v.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/conte...

 

Hyper-V Virtual Machine not recognised

Ok that's why you can't add it... Virtual Machines are stored in a .vhd or .vhdx file. The xml file is used for the VMs but you also have to have a valid vhd

https://www.altaro.com/hyper-v/hyper-vs-relatio...

Are you trying to import one you used previously or just trying to create a new VM?