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

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.

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. Source reviewed September 8, 2026.