Windows 8 Beta allows to import a VM from plain files.

Hi,

this is a "WOW" feature for me that I found not to be documented. Until now you could only "Import" a VM that you had previously exported.

Importing a VM from just a copy of the directory was not possible, and manual steps where not easy. See https://blogs.msdn.com/b/robertvi/archive/2008/12/19/howto-manually-add-a-vm-configuration-to-hyper-v.aspx

Now, Windows 8 Hyper-V simply allows that you point the Import to a existing VM folder. with your xml, vhd, avhd files.

Select if you intend to keep the VM unique.

In my case Machine Config (XML) and VHDs are in the same ___location, but the import process gives you a chance to select the VHD ___location

That even works for snapshots. Existing saved states are not compatible across Hyper-V versions, and can be deleted during the import process.

Also, Network switches will have another GUID, but the import allows you to change to a new switch

I hope you like that feature as much as I do.

Cheers

Robert