3 Ways to Convert VMware to Hyper-V

Hyper-V is gradually being sidelined by most IT admins for deploying virtual machines. This is because VMware’s hypervisors offer more flexible features, better support, and wider adoption, plus third-party integrations. However, there are still a number of IT admins who would prefer Hyper-V for some specific reasons known to them. 

Well, you can convert VMs from one hypervisor to another, for example, from VMware Workstation or ESXi to Microsoft’s Hyper-V, but in most cases, this conversion falls to a dead end – the converted VMs become inaccessible. In this article, we will explain how to convert VMware VMs to Hyper-V without losing anything.

Here you will find out:

• how to convert VMware VM to Hyper-V
• what you need to do at first
• when VHD recovery tool can help you

Are you ready? Let's read!

Why Migrate From VMware to Hyper-V?

Migrating from VMware to Hyper-V can be motivated by several factors, including cost savings, integration with existing Microsoft environments, and specific feature requirements. Here are some detailed reasons why organizations might consider making this migration:

Cost Savings

• Licensing Costs: Hyper-V is included with Windows Server licenses, which can reduce the overall cost of virtualization for organizations already using Windows Server. VMware products, on the other hand, often require separate licensing fees.
• Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): With Hyper-V included in Windows Server, businesses might save on additional software costs, especially if they have an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft.

Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem

• Seamless Integration with Windows: Hyper-V integrates smoothly with other Microsoft products and services, such as Active Directory, System Center, and Azure. This integration can simplify management and enhance overall functionality.
• Single Vendor Solution: Using Hyper-V allows organizations to rely on a single vendor (Microsoft) for both their operating system and virtualization needs, which can simplify support and procurement processes.

Feature Parity and Advancements

• Advanced Features: Hyper-V has matured significantly over the years and now offers many advanced features comparable to VMware, such as live migration, dynamic memory, and virtual machine replication.
• Enhanced Security: Hyper-V includes robust security features, such as Shielded VMs, which help protect virtual machines from unauthorized access and tampering.

Simplified Management

• Unified Management Tools: Hyper-V can be managed using familiar Microsoft tools like System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) and Windows Admin Center. This can be advantageous for IT teams already skilled in managing Microsoft environments.
• Familiar User Experience: For organizations with a predominantly Windows-based infrastructure, the management experience with Hyper-V can be more intuitive and aligned with their existing workflows.

Cloud Integration

• Hybrid Cloud Capabilities: Hyper-V integrates well with Microsoft Azure, providing a seamless hybrid cloud environment. This allows organizations to easily extend their on-premises workloads to the cloud and take advantage of Azure services.
• Azure Site Recovery: Hyper-V offers native integration with Azure Site Recovery for disaster recovery, enabling straightforward setup and management of backup and recovery solutions in the cloud.

Performance and Scalability

• Scalability: Hyper-V supports a large number of virtual machines on a single host, providing scalability options for growing businesses.
• Performance Improvements: Continuous updates and enhancements in Hyper-V, especially in Windows Server, have led to significant performance improvements that can meet the needs of demanding applications.

Vendor Relationships and Support

• Vendor Consolidation: Consolidating vendors to Microsoft can streamline support and vendor management processes.
• Support and Documentation: Microsoft offers extensive support and documentation for Hyper-V, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and optimizing virtualization environments.

Strategic Considerations

• Long-Term Strategy: Organizations might align their long-term IT strategy with Microsoft’s vision and roadmap, leveraging Hyper-V as part of a broader plan that includes Azure and other Microsoft technologies.
• Future-Proofing: As organizations prepare for future IT trends, adopting Hyper-V might be seen as aligning with emerging technologies and practices promoted by Microsoft.

As mentioned earlier, different IT admins may have different reasons for migrating from VMware to Hyper-V. But majorly, the commonest reason why most system admins migrate to Hyper-V is because of the massive support the hypervisor has for Windows OS and Microsoft’s enterprise products. 

Also, Hyper-V is more affordable to run than VMware hypervisors; plus, Hyper-V is free with Windows Server and Windows 10 OS versions. So, a business that uses more Microsoft business tools and cloud storage might as well switch to Hyper-V for seamless integrations and lower overhead costs.

Prerequisites for Migrating to Hyper-V

To get started, pay attention to these prerequisites that ought to be done before triggering the migration/converting process. 

• Firstly, remove redundant virtual devices such as floppy drives, LPT controllers, and COM; also, eject any connected virtual CD.
• Consolidate your snapshots on the VMware VMs or delete them to reduce the probability of error logs. 
• Also, delete all unnecessary files, programs, or virtual hard drive components.
• Disable VMware Tools from the guest OS.
• The Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) tool will only disable VMware services in offline conversion for Windows OS.
• When you use SCVMM, you cannot convert VMware Workstation VMs and you cannot convert VMware VMs with virtual hard disks connected to an IDE bus.
• The VMM 2022 UR2 tool can help to make the conversion faster. 

When you use the MVMC tool in online mode, it simply records a snapshot of the VMware VM and then uninstalls VMware Tools, after which it shuts down the VM to preserve its state during the conversion. 

In offline mode, the MVMC won’t uninstall VMware Tools, it simply disables all VMware services and drivers for Windows Server guest OSes. Hence, it is advisable that you manually uninstall VMware Tools if you’re converting an offline virtual machine.

Proper licensing and hardware considerations are critical to the success of migrating from VMware to Hyper-V. Ensure you comply with all licensing requirements and choose hardware that meets the performance and compatibility needs of your virtualized environment. Planning and assessing these factors in advance will help avoid potential issues and ensure a smooth and efficient migration process.

Licensing Considerations

Hyper-V Licensing

Windows Server Licensing:

Hyper-V is included with Windows Server licenses, so there is no additional cost for the hypervisor itself.

Windows Server Editions:

• Standard Edition: Allows for up to two virtual machines per license.
• Datacenter Edition: Allows for unlimited virtual machines per license.

Client Access Licenses (CALs):

• If your virtual machines run Windows Server, you will need CALs for each user or device accessing the server.

Windows Server Subscription:

• For organizations using a subscription model, such as Azure Hybrid Benefit, ensure you are compliant with the terms and maximize cost benefits.

Virtualization Rights:

• Understand the virtualization rights associated with your Windows Server license. For example, the Datacenter edition provides extensive rights for VM deployment compared to the Standard edition.

Application Licensing

Microsoft Applications:

• Ensure that applications like SQL Server, Exchange, and SharePoint are licensed correctly for the new environment. These may have specific virtualization rights and restrictions.
• Consider the benefits of software assurance, which might offer additional rights or mobility benefits.

Third-Party Applications:

• Review the licensing terms of any third-party applications to ensure they are valid when running in a virtualized Hyper-V environment.

Migration Tools Licensing

Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC):

• MVMC is free to use, but ensure you understand any support limitations.
• Other third-party tools might have licensing costs that need to be accounted for.

Hardware considerations

Server Requirements

Compatibility:

• Ensure that your physical servers are compatible with Hyper-V. Check the hardware compatibility list (HCL) for Hyper-V.
• Hyper-V requires a 64-bit processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) support.

Performance:

• Evaluate CPU, memory, storage, and network capabilities to ensure they meet the performance requirements of your VMs.
• Consider using newer hardware to leverage advancements in performance and efficiency.

Storage:

• Ensure sufficient storage capacity and performance. Hyper-V supports various storage options, including SAN, NAS, and local storage.
• Consider implementing SSDs or NVMe drives for improved performance, especially for I/O-intensive applications.

Network:

• Configure network interfaces and virtual switches appropriately.
• Plan for sufficient network bandwidth to handle the traffic between VMs and physical servers.

High Availability and Redundancy

Failover Clustering:

• Implement Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) to provide high availability for your VMs.
• Ensure your hardware supports clustering features, such as shared storage and networking.

Disaster Recovery:

• Plan for disaster recovery by setting up Hyper-V Replica or integrating with Azure Site Recovery for offsite replication.
• Resource Allocation and Management

Dynamic Memory:

• Use Hyper-V’s dynamic memory feature to optimize memory allocation across VMs.
• Ensure that your hardware has sufficient RAM to support dynamic memory allocation.

CPU Allocation:

• Hyper-V allows you to allocate CPU resources dynamically. Ensure your CPUs support features like Hyper-Threading to maximize performance.

Storage Spaces Direct:

• Consider using Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) for hyper-converged infrastructure, which combines storage and compute resources.

2. Migrate using VM snapshots

Migrating VMs using snapshots involves capturing the state of a VMware VM at a specific point in time and then using this snapshot to aid in the migration process. This method can help ensure data consistency during the migration. Here’s a detailed guide on how to migrate VMs from VMware to Hyper-V using VM snapshots:

Tools Required

1. Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC)
2. VMware vSphere Client or vCenter
3. Hyper-V Manager

Steps to Migrate Using VM Snapshots

Step 1: Take a Snapshot of the VM

1. 1. Open VMware vSphere Client or vCenter: Connect to your VMware environment using vSphere Client or vCenter.
2. 2. Select the VM: Choose the VM you want to migrate.
3. 3. Create Snapshot:

• Right-click on the VM and select “Snapshot” > “Take Snapshot.”
• Provide a name and description for the snapshot.
• Ensure that the option to include the VM’s memory state is selected if you want to capture the running state of the VM.

Step 2: Export the VM

1. 1. Export VM to OVF:

• Use the vSphere Client or vCenter to export the VM to an Open Virtualization Format (OVF) file.
• Right-click on the VM, select “Export” > “Export OVF Template.”
• Choose a location to save the OVF file and complete the export process.

Step 3: Convert OVF to VHDX

1. 1. Install MVMC: Download and install Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) on a Windows machine with access to both the VMware and Hyper-V environments.
2. 2. Convert OVF to VHDX: Use MVMC to convert the exported OVF files to VHDX format. Open MVMC and follow the wizard:

• Select “Convert from OVF Package” as the source.
• Browse to the location of the OVF files.
• Specify the destination path for the converted VHDX files.
• Start the conversion process and wait for it to complete.

Step 4: Import VHDX to Hyper-V

1. 1. Transfer VHDX: Move the converted VHDX files to the Hyper-V host.
2. 2. Create New VM in Hyper-V: Open Hyper-V Manager on the target Hyper-V host. Create a new virtual machine and attach the converted VHDX files as the primary disk.

• Provide a name for the new VM.
• Allocate the appropriate amount of CPU and memory.
• Attach the VHDX file to the VM.

1. 3. Configure Network Settings: Configure the network settings for the new VM to match those of the original VMware VM.
2. 4. Start the VM:

• Power on the new VM in Hyper-V.
• Verify that the VM boots correctly and that all applications and services are functioning as expected.

Step 5: Install Hyper-V Integration Services

1. 1. Integration Services:

• After the VM is running on Hyper-V, install Hyper-V Integration Services to ensure optimal performance and functionality.
• This can be done through the Action menu in Hyper-V Manager.

Step 6: Test and Validate

1. 1. Testing:

• Perform thorough testing of the migrated VM to ensure all applications and services are working correctly.
• Verify network connectivity, application functionality, and performance.

1. 2. Remove VMware Snapshot:

• Once the migration is confirmed successful, you can go back to the VMware environment and delete the snapshot taken in Step 1 to free up storage space.

Final Considerations

• Backup: Always ensure you have a complete backup of the VM before starting the migration process.
• Downtime: Plan for potential downtime during the migration, especially if the snapshot includes the VM’s memory state.
• Consistency: Using snapshots helps maintain data consistency, but it's essential to verify that no data was lost or corrupted during the migration process.

4. Converting Virtual Disks of VMware ESXi Format

Converting virtual disks from VMware ESXi format (VMDK) to a format compatible with Hyper-V (VHD or VHDX) involves using specific tools and steps to ensure the disks are correctly transformed and the virtual machines operate smoothly in the Hyper-V environment. Here’s a detailed guide on how to convert these virtual disks:

Tools for Conversion

• Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC)
• StarWind V2V Converter
• qemu-img (for advanced users familiar with command-line tools)

Steps to Convert VMware ESXi VMDK Disks to Hyper-V VHD/VHDX

Method 1: Using Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC)

Step 1: Download and Install MVMC

• Download: Obtain the MVMC tool from the Microsoft website.
• Install: Install MVMC on a Windows machine with access to both the VMware and Hyper-V environments.

Step 2: Convert VMDK to VHD/VHDX

1. 1. Launch MVMC: Open the MVMC application.
2. 2. Select Conversion Type: Choose “Convert a virtual machine” to initiate the process.
3. 3. Source Details:

• Provide the details of the VMware vCenter or ESXi server.
• Select the specific virtual machine (VM) and VMDK files you want to convert.

1. 3. Destination Details:

• Specify the destination Hyper-V host and storage location.
• Choose whether you want the virtual disk in VHD or VHDX format.

1. 4. Start Conversion: Begin the conversion process. MVMC will handle the conversion of VMDK files to VHD/VHDX and create a new VM configuration compatible with Hyper-V.

Step 3: Import the VHD/VHDX to Hyper-V

1. 1. Transfer the VHD/VHDX: Move the converted VHD/VHDX files to the Hyper-V host.
2. 2. Create a New VM in Hyper-V:

• Open Hyper-V Manager.
• Create a new virtual machine and attach the converted VHD/VHDX files as the primary disk.
• Configure the VM settings (CPU, memory, network, etc.).

1. 3. Boot the VM: Start the VM and verify its operation.

Method 2: Using StarWind V2V Converter

Step 1: Download and Install StarWind V2V Converter

• Download: Obtain the StarWind V2V Converter from the StarWind website.
• Install: Install the converter on a Windows machine.

Step 2: Convert VMDK to VHD/VHDX

1. 1. Launch StarWind V2V Converter: Open the application.
2. 2. Source Image:

• Select the source VMDK file from your VMware ESXi environment.

1. 3. Destination Image:

• Choose the destination format (VHD or VHDX).
• Specify the destination location for the converted disk.

1. 4. Conversion Process: Start the conversion. StarWind V2V Converter will convert the VMDK file to the desired format (VHD or VHDX).

Step 3: Import the VHD/VHDX to Hyper-V

1. 1. Transfer the VHD/VHDX: Move the converted VHD/VHDX files to the Hyper-V host.
2. 2. Create a New VM in Hyper-V:

• Open Hyper-V Manager.
• Create a new virtual machine and attach the converted VHD/VHDX files as the primary disk.
• Configure the VM settings (CPU, memory, network, etc.).

1. 3. Boot the VM: Start the VM and verify its operation.

Method 3: Using qemu-img (Advanced Users)

Step 1: Install qemu-img

1. 1. Download and Install: Install qemu-img on a machine where you can access the VMDK files. qemu-img is available for various operating systems, including Linux and Windows.

Step 2: Convert VMDK to VHD/VHDX

1. 1. Command-Line Conversion:

• Open a command prompt or terminal.
• Use the following command to convert VMDK to VHD:

  qemu-img convert -f vmdk -O vpc source.vmdk destination.vhd
              

• To convert to VHDX:

  qemu-img convert -f vmdk -O vhdx source.vmdk destination.vhdx
              

• Step 3: Import the VHD/VHDX to Hyper-V

1. 1. Transfer the VHD/VHDX: Move the converted VHD/VHDX files to the Hyper-V host.
2. 2. Create a New VM in Hyper-V:

• Open Hyper-V Manager.
• Create a new virtual machine and attach the converted VHD/VHDX files as the primary disk.
• Configure the VM settings (CPU, memory, network, etc.).

1. 3. Boot the VM: Start the VM and verify its operation.

Post-Conversion Steps

• Install Integration Services: After importing the VM into Hyper-V, install Hyper-V Integration Services to enhance performance and manageability.
• Verify Configuration: Check and adjust VM settings, such as CPU allocation, memory, and network configuration, to ensure optimal performance.
• Testing: Thoroughly test the VM to ensure all applications and services are functioning correctly in the new environment.

Post-Migration Testing and Adjustments

After a successful migration, you would want to test the migrated VM to ensure they are fully functional. Try setting up new virtual networking or storage resources and see if they’ll run as they were when you were using VMware. 

Also, depending on the purpose of the VMs, try adjusting user permissions and roles and see what happens. You should test various functions of the VM to ensure everything is going smoothly before concluding that you did a successful migration from VMware to Hyper-V. 

Conclusion

Migrating from VMware to Hyper-V poses quite a lot of benefits, especially for businesses that use multiple Microsoft products. Not to forget that Hyper-V is more cost-friendly to run than VMware. These methods discussed above can help you in migrating your VMware VMs to Microsoft’s Hyper-V.

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