Hyper-V: Exporting to new machine or folder

References:

https://www.cryer.co.uk/brian/windows/hyper-v-server/how_to_move_virtual_machine_to_another_hyper_v_server.htm


Use 'Export' to:

  • Create a backup of VM/VHD/Settings (Can be done from Snapshots as well)
  • Clean up local folders (Export/Import)
  • Move to another Hyper-V machine (Export/Import)
  • Refer to 'Reference' section for notes on Exporting as M$ never makes it easy

Note: 

  • 'Export' creates a copy
  • 'Move' only works when Hyper-V servers have Live Replication enabled

Steps

On source machine

  • Shut down VM
  • Export to shared folder, external drive, local folder (i.e. 'temp')
  • Verify new folder has VM and VHDX

On target machine

  • Import (locate folder in export location)
  • 'Copy VM (Create new unique ID)' (3rd choice)
  • Store (D:\vmname) for all three options
  • VHD location (D:\vmname)

(Optional) Clean up source machine

  • Delete old VM
  • Delete related files