Tag: Windows 2012

A great new feature within Windows 7 and Windows 2008 is boot from VHD. Yesterday I downloaded the Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate version. The executable is self-extracting withs contains a sysprepped VHD file, cool!! I configured my Windows 7 desktop to boot from this VHD and voila, there’s my Windows Server 2012!! 🙂

1.) Download the self-extracting executable file from Microsoft Download
2.) Run the executable. There’s a new folder created expandedVHD
3.) Within this folder there’s a VHD file
4.) Open the Computer Management and select Diskmanagement
5.) Right-click on Diskmanagement and select Attach VHD
6.) Browse to the VHD file in the expandedVHD folder and select the file
7.) The VHD file is mounted now and there’s a driveletter attached. In my example D:
8.) You can browse the D:\ disk within the Windows Explorer to view the files inside the VHD
9.) Open a command prompt (with Administrative Rights) and type:
bcdboot D:\Windows
This will modify the bootrecord, so you’re able to boot from this VHD
10.) Open a command prompt in type MSCONFIG
11.) Select the second tab and view the new boot option “Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate (D:\Windows)”
12.) Reboot your machine and select Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate in the bootmenu
13.) After completing the sysprep phase, you’ve a Windows Server 2012 up and running
14.) Whitin the Server Manager Dashboard select Add roles and features
15.) Select the Hyper-V role
16.) Select the default locations for the Hyper-V files and hit Next
17.) The Hyper-V role will be installed now
18.) Reboot your system and the Hyper-V host is ready to use
19.) From the Hyper-V Manager you’re able to a create a new virtual machine. In my example a Windows Server 2008 R2 VM