# Choose the disk and installation path for a new Hyper-V guest

> What must be decided before finishing the new virtual-machine wizard?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-236-choose-the-disk-and-installation-path-for-a-new-hyper-v-guest/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-08T18:13:15+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-08T18:29:34+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-08
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: Business Continuity, IT
- Reading time: 1 minutes

## What you need to know

What must be decided before finishing the new virtual-machine wizard?

## Potentially affected

Administrators provisioning a new guest on an already-enabled Hyper-V host.

## DSE recommendation

Have the workload owner decide whether to create a new disk or attach an approved existing one.

## Article

## Source facts

The Hyper-V wizard permits a new virtual disk, an existing virtual disk, or attaching a disk later. Network attachment can be deferred if a virtual switch has not yet been created. The wizard includes an option to install the guest operating system later. [Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/Create-a-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V).

## Applicability

Start with the workload’s approved disk image or installation media and its intended storage locations. Distinguish an empty VM configuration from an installed operating system. Select generation and startup resources from the supported requirements of the intended guest, not a copied example.

## DSE recommendation

Have the workload owner decide whether to create a new disk or attach an approved existing one. Record the configuration-file location, disk path, installation source, and intended network before completing the wizard. For an unfinished or unqualified image, leave network attachment for the approved follow-up step. Review the wizard summary against that record before allowing the new guest to start.

## Verification

Inspect the resulting VM settings and confirm that the disk path and boot source are the intended ones. Start it in the approved test context and observe whether it boots the existing image or begins the expected installation. Record any deliberately deferred disk, operating-system, or network work before handing the guest to its owner.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/Create-a-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V). Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/Create-a-virtual-machine-in-Hyper-V
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Choose the disk and installation path for a new Hyper-V guest,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-236-choose-the-disk-and-installation-path-for-a-new-hyper-v-guest/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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