Forum Discussion
How to change Virtual Hard Disk Path when creating new VM in Windows Admin Center
I have a Windows Server 2019 Storage Spaces Direct cluster. There are multiple S2D volumes. I place different VMs on different volumes for different performance considerations.
I'm trying to learn WAC more. I can't figure out how to change the path for the Virtual Hard Disks. When I select a different path in the create VM dialog, it only changes the configuration path. The storage stays the same. See below.
7 Replies
Hello thx1200,
I hope you are doing well!
The Windows Admin Center is used to create and manage your virtual machines. You can change VHD Path when creating a new VM from Windows Admin Center.
Whenever you create a new VM using Windows Admin Center home screen, you will have to select a server or the cluster on which you have to create your VM. You can try the steps below to change the VHD path while creating a new VM,
Create a New VM.
Select the server or the cluster you want to create the VM on under All connections on the Windows Admin Center home screen.
From the Tools, scroll downside and then select Virtual machines from there.
Select the Inventory tab under the Virtual machines, then select Add > New.
From the New virtual machine, enter the name for your VM. Select Generation 2, which is recommended for VM creation.
Under the Host, select the server you want the VM to reside.
Now, Under the Path, select a pre-assigned file path from the list or simply browse to choose any folder and save the VM configuration and the virtual hard disk (VHD) files. You can browse any available SMB on the network by entering the accurate Path as the \server > \share.
Under the Virtual processors, select the number of virtual processors you want to allot to your VM.
Under the Memory, select the amount of startup memory (4 GB is recommended as a minimum) for the VM to run smoothly.
Now, select a virtual switch from the provided list under the network.
Under the network, select anyone from the following for the isolation mode from the list:
You have to set it as Default if the VM is connected to the virtual switch in the access mode.
But if the VM is Set to VLAN, then specify the VLAN identifier as well.
Nextly set to Virtual Network (SDN); if the VM is part of an SDN virtual network, you must select a virtual network name, subnet, and specify the IP Address.
1. Under the Storage option, click Add and select whether to create a new empty virtual hard disk or to use the existing VHD. 2. If you're using an existing VHD, click Browse and select its file path.
Under the Operating system, do one of the following:
If you want to install an operating system for the VM after it is created, select Install an operating system later.
3. After the above steps, click on Create to create the VM.
4. To start the VM, look for the new VM in the Virtual Machines list and select Start.
I hope this helps you to resolve the issue!
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Regards,
Austin_M
I see the same issue did you ever figure this out? As your screenshot shows you can change the default path but that only updates the location of the configuration file, not the virtual hard disk. The last place I want my VHD is the C: drive.
I confirmed the behavior accessing the Admin Center in both Chrome and Edge browsers to rule out a browser related issue.
- I never figured it out. I just went back to using the Failover Cluster Manager MMC. It's weird how MS completely stopped updating MMCs when their WAC is absolutely not ready for primetime and at the rate of development, it will be another five years before it is.
- The path can be changed via WAC Tools Settings -> Hyper-v Host Settings -> General. Seems cumbersome for choosing different volumes per vm, but at least there is a method for changing the path.
