Virtual machine configuration Versions in Windows Server 2016
Depending on the host operating system when a virtual machine is created the configuration file will be a specific version. Here are the configuration versions based on the host operating systems:
- Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 is version 5.
- Windows 10 build 10565 and earlier is version 6.2.
- Windows 10 build 10565 or newer is version 7.
- Windows Server 2016 has is version 7.1.
To provide compatibility between host operating system versions, an operating system will support its version and all prior versions back to version 5. This will allow you to move or import VMs that were created on prior operating systems. To use Hyper-V features an administrator must upgrade the virtual machines configuration version. See below for some of the features that were added with each version:
- Version 6.2 – Virtual Machine Grouping, PowerShell Direct, Production Checkpoints, Secure Boot for Linux and the ability to Hot add/remove static memory.
- Version 7.0 – Virtual Trusted Platform Module
- Version 7.1 – Virtual machine multi queues
There are 2 methods to update the virtual machine configuration version.
Method 1:
Use the following PowerShell cmdlet.
Update-VMVersion <vmname>
Method 2:
- Launch Hyper-V Manager
- Ensure the virtual machine is off.
- I will be upgrading the version number for the Win 10 virtual machine. This machine was originally created in Window 8.1 Hyper-V
- Right click on the machine you desire to update the configuration and select Upgrade configuration version.
- Select Upgrade at the prompt.
- Verify the version is updated to the current Hyper-V configuration version
Note: Once the configuration version has been update it is impossible to revert back to an earlier version.
Note: Once the configuration version has been updated the virtual machine will no longer run on previous versions of Hyper-V.
For More, see: Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V Standard verses Production Checkpoints
Until next time – Ride Safe!
Rick Trader
Windows Server Instructor – Interface Technical Training
Phoenix, AZ
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