Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V

Applies to: Windows Server 2025 (preview), Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2019, Windows 11, Windows 10

Important

Windows Server 2025 is in PREVIEW. This information relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before it's released. Microsoft makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

Learn how to create a virtual machine by using Hyper-V Manager and Windows PowerShell and what options you have when you create a virtual machine in Hyper-V Manager.

Create a virtual machine

  1. Open Hyper-V Manager.

  2. From the Action pane, click New, and then click Virtual Machine.

  3. From the New Virtual Machine Wizard, click Next.

  4. Make the appropriate choices for your virtual machine on each of the pages. For more information, see New virtual machine options and defaults in Hyper-V Manager.

  5. After verifying your choices in the Summary page, click Finish.

  6. In Hyper-V Manager, right-click the virtual machine and select connect.

  7. In the Virtual Machine Connection window, select Action > Start.

Options in Hyper-V Manager New Virtual Machine Wizard

The following table lists the options you can pick when you create a virtual machine in Hyper-V Manager and the defaults for each.

Page Default for Windows Server 2016, Windows 10, and later Other options
Specify Name and Location Name: New Virtual Machine.

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

You can also enter your own name and choose another location for the virtual machine.

This is where the virtual machine configuration files will be stored.

Specify Generation Generation 1 You can also choose to create a Generation 2 virtual machine. For more information, see Should I create a generation 1 or 2 virtual machine in Hyper-V?.
Assign Memory Startup memory: 1024 MB

Dynamic memory: not selected

You can set the startup memory from 32 MB to 5902 MB.

You can also choose to use Dynamic Memory. For more information, see Hyper-V Dynamic Memory Overview.

Configure Networking Not connected You can select a network connection for the virtual machine to use from a list of existing virtual switches. See Create a virtual switch for Hyper-V virtual machines.
Connect Virtual Hard Disk Create a virtual hard disk

Name: <vmname>.vhdx

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

Size: 127 GB

You can also choose to use an existing virtual hard disk or wait and attach a virtual hard disk later.
Installation Options Install an operating system later These options change the boot order of the virtual machine so that you can install from an .iso file, bootable floppy disk or a network installation service, like Windows Deployment Services (WDS).
Summary Displays the options that you have chosen, so that you can verify they are correct.

- Name
- Generation
- Memory
- Network
- Hard Disk
- Operating System

Tip: You can copy the summary from the page and paste it into e-mail or somewhere else to help you keep track of your virtual machines.

Additional References