# Choose a Hyper-V VM generation from guest and boot requirements

> Which guest and boot requirements should determine a new Hyper-V VM generation?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-046-choose-a-hyper-v-vm-generation-from-guest-and-boot-requirements/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-08T18:16:25+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-08T18:17:14+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-08
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: Business Continuity, IT
- Reading time: 2 minutes

## What you need to know

Which guest and boot requirements should determine a new Hyper-V VM generation?

## Potentially affected

Use this review before creating a virtual machine.

## DSE recommendation

Record the selected generation and the requirement that justified it.

## Article

## Source facts

Microsoft says VM-generation selection depends on the guest operating system and the intended installation boot method, and generally recommends generation 2 subject to documented exceptions. Generation 2 enables Secure Boot by default and checks the boot loader against trusted UEFI authorities. The documentation provides guest support guidance for each generation, including differences for Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD. [Microsoft documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/Should-I-create-a-generation-1-or-2-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V).

## Applicability

Use this review before creating a virtual machine. Identify the exact guest release, installation media, boot method, and application owner. Consult the current guest-support table instead of inferring compatibility from a broad operating-system family.

## DSE recommendation

Record the selected generation and the requirement that justified it. Verify the installation media and intended Secure Boot configuration in an approved pilot. Ask the guest owner to include application installation and recovery tooling in the acceptance plan. Keep exceptions to the preferred generation explicit and linked to the requirement, rather than allowing copied VM settings to become an undocumented standard.

## Verification

Create the approved test VM and record its generation, boot settings, and successful guest installation. Exercise the selected application and recovery boot path. Preserve any failure with the exact media and guest version. Resolve a compatibility mismatch before using the configuration as a template for additional virtual machines.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: Should I create a generation 1 or 2 virtual machine in Hyper-V?](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/Should-I-create-a-generation-1-or-2-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V). Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: Should I create a generation 1 or 2 virtual machine in Hyper-V?
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/Should-I-create-a-generation-1-or-2-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Choose a Hyper-V VM generation from guest and boot requirements,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-046-choose-a-hyper-v-vm-generation-from-guest-and-boot-requirements/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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