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Can Windows Server 2012 run as a guest virutal machine under a Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V host? If so, are there any important or notable restrictions on what the guest OS can do running in this scenario?

I've got a lab PC with lots of VMs running as guests on a W2K8R2 Hyper-V server. I don't do anything too exotic with the VMs, basically just running tests of my application software installations. I'd be looking for IIS, COM+ and general WinForms installation functionality.

Can I create a Windows Server 2012 guest VM to run in my environment or do I need to upgrade my lab PC to run Server 2012 Hyper-V in order to support a Server 2012 guest?

Joel Brown
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2 Answers2

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According to this MS KB article it is possible but may thow some warning messages here and there.

Brent Pabst
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  • Thanks(+1) - That is a helpful KB, insofar as it tells you that the whole thing is out of the question (the way running 2K8 on 2K5 was). I've already got Windows 8 VM guests working fine. There were hiccups until the integration was installed (as per the KB). – Joel Brown Sep 04 '12 at 19:18
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You could try this:

An update that enables Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 to be hosted in a Hyper-V virtual machine on Windows Server 2008 R2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2526776

Edit: hotfix 2526776 has been superseded by a newer hotfix:

You cannot run a Windows 8-based or Windows Server 2012-based virtual machine in Windows Server 2008 R2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2744129

Greg Askew
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  • Thanks for the KB link (+1). It didn't turn out that I needed this hotfix (not yet at least!) but it's good to know that the KB is there should I run into trouble. – Joel Brown Sep 04 '12 at 20:57