How to convert Hyper-V VM to VirtualBox

If you are using Hyper-V and want to switch to VirtualBox, you may be wondering how to convert your existing Hyper-V virtual machine (VM) to VirtualBox. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to successfully convert a Hyper-V VM to VirtualBox.

Before we begin, please note that the process of converting a Hyper-V VM to VirtualBox involves disabling the Hyper-V feature on your computer. This will also disable any other virtual machines that are running on Hyper-V. If you have multiple virtual machines running on Hyper-V, make sure to shut them down before proceeding with the conversion process.

Step 1: Install Oracle VirtualBox

The first step is to install Oracle VirtualBox on your computer. You can download the latest version of VirtualBox from their official website and follow the installation instructions. Once the installation is complete, open VirtualBox.

Step 2: Export the Hyper-V VM

In VirtualBox, click on the “File” tab and select “Import Appliance”. This will open a pop-up window where you can select the virtual machine you want to import. Browse to the location where the Hyper-V virtual machine is stored and select the .vbox file. Click on “Open” to begin the import process.

Step 3: Disable the Hyper-V Feature

As mentioned earlier, the Hyper-V feature needs to be disabled before converting the VM to VirtualBox. To do this, open the “Control Panel” on your computer and go to “Programs” > “Turn Windows features on or off”. Uncheck the box next to “Hyper-V” and click on “OK”. This will prompt you to restart your computer.

Step 4: Convert the VHDX File to VDI

After your computer has restarted, open the command prompt as an administrator. Navigate to the location where the VHDX file is stored and run the following command:

VBoxManage clonehd [source.vhdx] [destination.vdi] --format VDI

This command will convert the VHDX file to VirtualBox’s native VDI format. Once the conversion is complete, you will have a VDI file ready to be imported into VirtualBox.

Step 5: Create a New Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

In VirtualBox, click on the “New” button to create a new virtual machine. Give it a name, select the operating system you want to install, and allocate the desired amount of memory and storage. When prompted to select a hard disk, choose the option “Use an existing virtual hard disk file” and browse to the location where you saved the converted VDI file. Click on “Create” to finish creating the virtual machine.

Step 6: Adjust the Configuration

Before starting the virtual machine, you may need to adjust some settings to make it run smoothly. Go to the “Settings” of the virtual machine and navigate to the “System” tab. Under the “Processor” tab, increase the number of processors assigned to the virtual machine. You can also go to the “Display” tab and increase the video memory to improve graphics performance.

How to Speed Up a VirtualBox Virtual Machine

Once you have successfully converted your Hyper-V VM to VirtualBox, you may notice that the performance is not as fast as you would like it to be. To speed up your VirtualBox virtual machine, follow these steps:

1. Clone the VDI File

First, make a clone of the VDI file by going to “File” > “Virtual Media Manager”. Select the VDI file and click on the “Copy” button. This will create a copy of the VDI file on your system.

2. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator

Next, open the command prompt as an administrator and navigate to the location where the cloned VDI file is stored.

3. Create a New Virtual Machine on the Destination Server

Run the following command to create a new virtual machine on the destination server:

VBoxManage clonehd [source.vdi] [destination.vdi] --format VDI

4. Adjust the Configuration

Once the cloning process is complete, you can go to the “Settings” of the virtual machine and adjust the configuration to your liking. You can increase the number of processors and video memory, as well as enable 3D acceleration and hardware virtualization.