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Source facts

\n

Microsoft’s Windows guest-support table states that Windows 11 needs the POPCNT and SSE4.2 processor instructions for installation and boot. For the listed standalone configurations and Windows Server 2022 hosts, the guidance disables processor compatibility to expose those features, which restricts live migration to hosts with matching processor features. Microsoft documentation.

\n

Applicability

\n

Identify the exact guest and host releases, VM generation, physical CPUs, and intended migration destinations. Review the source’s separate Windows Server 2025 cluster guidance rather than applying the standalone instruction to every host.

\n

DSE recommendation

\n

Document the required CPU features and the compatibility mode proposed for the actual topology. Have the virtualization owner compare all intended destination CPUs before changing that setting. Keep guest-startup requirements and migration requirements visible in the same approval record.

\n

Verification

\n

Verify guest installation or boot and inspect the exposed processor features in the approved configuration. Test the intended migration destinations where authorized and record unsupported combinations explicitly. Resolve a mismatch before treating successful startup on one host as proof that the guest can move across the whole fabric.

\n

Official references

\n

Microsoft Learn: Supported Windows guest operating systems for Hyper-V on Windows, Windows Server, and Azure Local. Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

", "content_text": "Source facts\nMicrosoft’s Windows guest-support table states that Windows 11 needs the POPCNT and SSE4.2 processor instructions for installation and boot. For the listed standalone configurations and Windows Server 2022 hosts, the guidance disables processor compatibility to expose those features, which restricts live migration to hosts with matching processor features. Microsoft documentation.\nApplicability\nIdentify the exact guest and host releases, VM generation, physical CPUs, and intended migration destinations. Review the source’s separate Windows Server 2025 cluster guidance rather than applying the standalone instruction to every host.\nDSE recommendation\nDocument the required CPU features and the compatibility mode proposed for the actual topology. Have the virtualization owner compare all intended destination CPUs before changing that setting. Keep guest-startup requirements and migration requirements visible in the same approval record.\nVerification\nVerify guest installation or boot and inspect the exposed processor features in the approved configuration. Test the intended migration destinations where authorized and record unsupported combinations explicitly. Resolve a mismatch before treating successful startup on one host as proof that the guest can move across the whole fabric.\nOfficial references\nMicrosoft Learn: Supported Windows guest operating systems for Hyper-V on Windows, Windows Server, and Azure Local. Source reviewed September 8, 2026.", "content_markdown": "## Source facts\n\nMicrosoft’s Windows guest-support table states that Windows 11 needs the POPCNT and SSE4.2 processor instructions for installation and boot. For the listed standalone configurations and Windows Server 2022 hosts, the guidance disables processor compatibility to expose those features, which restricts live migration to hosts with matching processor features. [Microsoft documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/Supported-Windows-guest-operating-systems-for-Hyper-V-on-Windows).\n\n## Applicability\n\nIdentify the exact guest and host releases, VM generation, physical CPUs, and intended migration destinations. Review the source’s separate Windows Server 2025 cluster guidance rather than applying the standalone instruction to every host.\n\n## DSE recommendation\n\nDocument the required CPU features and the compatibility mode proposed for the actual topology. Have the virtualization owner compare all intended destination CPUs before changing that setting. Keep guest-startup requirements and migration requirements visible in the same approval record.\n\n## Verification\n\nVerify guest installation or boot and inspect the exposed processor features in the approved configuration. Test the intended migration destinations where authorized and record unsupported combinations explicitly. Resolve a mismatch before treating successful startup on one host as proof that the guest can move across the whole fabric.\n\n## Official references\n\n[Microsoft Learn: Supported Windows guest operating systems for Hyper-V on Windows, Windows Server, and Azure Local](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/Supported-Windows-guest-operating-systems-for-Hyper-V-on-Windows). 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