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I was importing a virtual machine to my Hyper-V manager and I got 3 options:

  • Register the virtual machine in place (use the existing unique ID)
  • Restore the virtual machine in place (use the existing unique ID)
  • Copy the virtual machine (create a new unique ID)

What's the difference between the three options?

"Choose Import Type" step in "Import Virtual Machine" wizard

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Register: If you have a virtual machine were you have already put all of the virtual machine files exactly where you want them, and you just need Hyper-V to start using the virtual machine where it is.

Restore: If your virtual machine files are stored on a file share / removable drive / etc… and you want Hyper-V to move the files to the appropriate location for you, and then register the virtual machine.

Copy: If you have a set of virtual machine files that you want to import multiple times (e.g. you are using them as a template for new virtual machines) this is what you want to choose. This will copy the files to an appropriate location, give the virtual machine a new unique ID, and then register the virtual machine.

Source: Technet forums: Hyper-V Import Wizard: Choose Import Type?

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    What about the case where you have all the files on the right disk, but in another folder? Will Hyper-V move them to sensible locations, or is it best to just put them there yourself?
    – mwfearnley
    Dec 11, 2018 at 11:38
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    FYI answer source is this TechNet forum post copy and pasted directly. It's good to attribute your sources.
    – Richard Marskell - Drackir
    Feb 13, 2019 at 16:12

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