We’ve done the digging for you. Here is the most complete list of the essential tools you need to manage, monitor, and understand Hyper-V is currently available on the internet.
What could be better?
Well, they’re all free. How’s that for better?
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Free Hyper-V Management Tools
This is a collection of utilities intended to make Hyper-V management easier. The criteria to be included here are that the tools must be free, full-featured (no trials), and must not be locked away behind any spam or telemarketing walls.
Web Interface for Hyper-V
Simple to use web interface designed for Hyper-V. There are a few virtual machine management functions included in the current program. It is a console application and works directly from the command line on the Hyper-V Server. You can also install this as a Windows Service. A small web application running on a web server that handles all the actions executed against virtual machines running on Hyper-V Server. You must be running Hyper-V 3.0 which ships with Windows Server 2012.
CoreConfig 2.0
Core Configurator 2.0, available at Codeplex, is an open-source tool that can be used with Windows Server 2008 R2 Core and Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 to configure the environment using a GUI tool. This tool is designed to run PowerShell scripts from a GUI console. There are a number of tasks including, from configuring product licensing to implementing iSCSI settings on the Server Core
CoreFig for Windows Server 2012 Server Core
CoreFig is designed to manage a Windows Server 2012 Core installation or Hyper-V Server 2012 environment more easily and efficiently. This tool is released as open-source and is available for download at Codeplex.com. It is a handy tool to perform common Server Core tasks using a GUI console.
Read our related blog post: Corefig for Hyper-V Server 2012
A Free tool to manage Virtual Machine Configuration
ManageEngine provides a free tool to manage Virtual Machine configuration on Hyper-V Server. This free tool addresses monitoring and management requirements. The Free software can configure Microsoft Hyper V Virtual server’s resources such as CPU, RAM or execute Power operations or change the boot order start-up, and also it fetches valuable data about the servers and its virtual machines and presents them as visually elegant graphs.
VMConnect.exe on Windows Server 2012 Core Hyper-V Server
Windows Server 2012 Core Hyper-V Server does not come with a vmconnect.exe. If you ever wanted to connect to a Virtual Machine that does not have an IP yet, you could download and run the VMConnect.bat. VMConnect.bat calls PowerShell scripts which redirects connection requests to Hyper-V Server on port 2179 and then allows you to connect to a virtual machine of your choice.
VMDK to VHD2 Convertor
If you are not using System Center Virtual Machine Manager (AKA SCVMM), VMDK2VHD tool is a simple utility that can be used to convert VMDK files to Hyper-V VHD files quickly.
Hyper-V VM Mover
There is no need to export and import a virtual machine to move across the hosts. This utility helps you move virtual machines across the Hyper-V Servers without having to export them first. This utility has been tested on Windows Server 2008 RTM and SP2 but it should work on Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Server also.
VHD Resizer
VHD Resizer a free tool designed to resize Hyper-V Virtual Machine’s VHD files. You can use this tool to convert from Fixed to Dynamic VHD disks. Since this is a sector-by-sector copy operation, the source file remains unchanged. You can even use this tool to convert physical hard disks or USB hard disks to a Hyper-V VHD file.
VHD Attach
Using this tool, you will see the Attach and Detach options on the Right Click Context menu of the Virtual Hard Disk files. You can easily detach or attach a Virtual Hard Disk without a need to open the Disk Management console. There is also an option to attach various VHD files upon the system start-up. This program has been tested to work on Windows Server 2008 R2 but I have tested it on Windows Server 2012 and it works very well!
AMD and Hyper-V System Compatibility Check
This utility checks your system’s compatibility with Microsoft Hyper-V and AMD processors. The utility has been updated to check and report on AMD’s Rapid Virtualization Indexing (RVI) feature that provides the necessary Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) support for Hyper-V.
FreeBSD Support on Hyper-V
Now FreeBSD Operating System is a supported guest virtual machine in Hyper-V environment.
Folder2ISO
For security reasons, moving files between Hyper-V Host and virtual machines is not allowed but with the help of Folder2ISO tool, you can convert a folder to ISO and then mount the ISO inside the virtual machine.
SecurAble
To check if your server supports Hyper-V’s prerequisites, you can always download and run SecurAble. With just two easy clicks, you can get the status of the Hardware DEP, Hardware Virtualization, and Processor architecture.
Visio Virtual Stencil
If you need to document your virtual environment or create a diagram using a third-party Visio template, I would recommend you downloading Virtualization-Stencil Visio Template. There are lots of icons, pictures, and examples of the Virtualization servers and components. You can easily create a map of the Hyper-V environment including the virtual machines.
MRemoteNG
MRemoteNG is an open-source, tabbed, multi-protocol, remote connections manager. It allows you to view all of your remote connections in a simple but powerful interface.
It provides bandwidth control on a per-VM basis for different protocols (ARP, TCP, UDP, ICMP, IGMP). With this tool, you can see the amount of data used (downloaded and uploaded) by each virtual server. Thus you can bill your customers for bandwidth usage or just find out which servers cause a high network load.
Create Hyper-V Server USB Memory Stick
A simple application to automate the preparation process for booting Hyper-V Server 2008 R2. USB Flash Memory.
AMD-V Technology and Microsoft Hyper-V System Compatibility Check
The AMD Virtualization Technology and Microsoft Hyper-V System Compatibility Check tool was designed to check your system’s compatibility with Microsoft Hyper-V and AMD processors.
The utility has been updated to check and report on AMD’s Rapid Virtualization Indexing (RVI) feature that provides the necessary Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) support for Hyper-V.
Hyper-V Command Line Tools
Hyper-V Command Line Tools is a very lightweight and useful application that will allow you to easily set the state of a virtual machine from the console.
The command-line program supports a variety of actions, like shutdown, reboot, start, reset, force shutdown or power off.
Wake-On-LAN Virtual Machine
Wake-On-LAN Virtual Machine is a handy and reliable application designed to start up virtual machines by Wake-On-LAN packets.
When the program starts it searches for existing Microsoft Hyper-V, Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, Oracle VM VirtualBox, VMware Server, VMware Workstation and VMware Player virtual machines. Then it retrieves a list of virtual machine names and their MAC addresses and shows it as a tree view. The list can be exported to different file formats. If Wake-On-LAN Virtual Machine receives a magic packet with MAC address which is in the list it turns on the found virtual machine using vendor utilities.
Core Server 2012 Powershell Script Hyper-v Manager
Hyper-V Manager, a tool designed for Server Core 2012, can be used to manage virtual machines and Hyper-V Hosts. There is no need to use Hyper-V Manager.
MyEventViewer
An alternative Event Viewer that works on Hyper-V Server and Core installations of Windows Server.
Migrate Management OS Virtual Adapters to Another Switch
The built-in tools for Hyper-V Server 2012 have no method for moving virtual adapters in the management operating system to another switch. This tool handles that for you.
Synchronize Virtual Machine Names
Use this tool to synchronize computer names for virtual machines with Hyper-V’s names for them.
PoSHStats
Deploy a web interface that shows Hyper-V Server 2012’s metering statistics for its virtual machines.
See our post on this tool here: Hyper-V Resource Metering Using PoSHStats
Network Team and Virtual Switch Manipulation
An interactive PowerShell script that allows you to manipulate Hyper-V Server 2012 network teams and virtual switches. Create or delete teams, switches, and adapters. Set IP and VLAN configuration on adapters. View existing configurations.
Automated Export of 2008 R2 Virtual Machines
Use an interactive script to design a pattern to export virtual machines so they can be duplicated as a stand-in for backup. Then, use a simpler script, which can be called from Task Scheduler, to execute your pattern.
Microsoft’s Free Hyper-V Management and Monitoring Tools
Hyper-V Server 2012
Microsoft has been shipping a free version of Hyper-V Server since Windows Server 2008 RTM release. There is one also available for Windows Server 2012. It is a free version of Hyper-V. The latest release offers cluster and Live Migration features and support for 1 TB memory has been added to Hyper-V Host and 64 GB of Memory Per virtual machine.
Hyper-V Architecture Posters
Microsoft has published a set of digital posters with a visual representation of Hyper-V’s architecture.
VHD Manipulation Tool
VHD Manipulation is a command-line tool that provides VHD file manipulation actions such as creating large VHD files, converting VHD files, extending and repairing a VHD file are the most common uses. The final release of Version 2.0 is available from the Microsoft site. There is no such requirement for this tool except you need to be running on the supported Operating Systems.
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP)
The Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP) is an agentless, automated, multi-product planning and assessment tool for quick and easier desktop, server and cloud migrations. MAP provides detailed readiness assessment reports and executive proposals with extensive hardware and software information, and actionable recommendations to help organizations accelerate their IT infrastructure planning process, and gather more detail on assets that reside within their current environment. MAP also provides server utilization data for Hyper-V server virtualization planning; identifying server placements, and performing virtualization candidate assessments, including ROI analysis for server consolidation with Hyper-V.
Linux Integration Components 2.1
Microsoft Hyper-V provides an Integration Services component for all Windows guest Operating Systems. Linux Integration Components provide maximum integration with Hyper-V and Linux Operating Systems. There are a number of improvements in version 2.1. The new version provides support for Susi, RedHat, CentOS, and other non-Windows Operating Systems.
Hyper-V 2008 R2 Best Practice Analyzer
Microsoft has put in a lot of effort to create Best Practice Analyzers for most roles it ships with the Windows Server Operating System. There is one also available for Hyper-V. You can use Hyper-V Best Practice Analyzer to analyze the Hyper-V Server environment for any misconfiguration or some missing feature before the Hyper-V servers are moved to the production environment. (this download is only for 2008 R2 as BPA is built-in to 2012 and later).
Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Professional Add-In for Rack Server Virtualization
With over 70% of server hardware being underutilized, this very valuable tool can draw a clear picture of your hardware utilization. This tool auto-generates the diagram of your rack and provides clear server details from a linked Excel template. Analyze your racks and servers using WMI or get the utilization data over time using the Operations Manager connection.
Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter Solution Accelerator
The Microsoft Virtual Machine Converter (MVMC) Solution Accelerator is a Microsoft-supported, stand-alone solution for the IT pro or solution provider who wants to convert VMware-based virtual machines and disks to Hyper-V-based virtual machines and disks.
P2V Migration Tool
Microsoft P2V Migration for Software Assurance uses the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) and Sysinternals Disk2vhd to convert a user’s existing Windows XP or later client environment to a virtual hard disk (VHD), then automates the delivery of an updated and personalized Windows 7 operating system containing a virtual machine (VM) with the user’s previous Windows environment, applications, and Web browser. The user’s previous virtual desktop retains its existing management components, domain membership, and policies. The process also publishes applications and the browser so that the user can access them seamlessly within the Windows 7 Start menu.
VMC To Hyper-V Tool
If you want to migrate virtual machines running on Virtual PC or Virtual Server to Hyper-V, you can use “VMC To Hyper-V” tool. You must perform some manual steps before you can have old virtual machines running on Hyper-V. This tool reduces manual efforts.
Configure Hyper-V Environment for Remote Access
Configuring remote access for Hyper-V Servers has never been easy. The HVRemote tool designed by MSFT reduces the manual configuration steps needed for Hyper-V Remote Management.
Virtual Machine Migration Test
A tool designed specifically to test Virtual Machines migration across Hyper-V Servers. It allows you to check the compatibility to make sure everything will work. You can use VMMT in the following scenarios:
- Test compatibility of Processors on all the nodes of your existing cluster
- Pre-Test a new Node to add to an existing cluster
- Pre-test a group of new Nodes to a specific destination Server
- Pre-Test a server pool
Virtual Machine Servicing Tool
Virtual Machine Servicing Tool (AKA VMST) allows you to update virtual machines offline. This tool helps you reduce IT costs by making it easier to update your offline virtual machines, templates, and virtual hard disks with the latest operating system and application patches—without introducing vulnerabilities into your IT infrastructure.
Enumerate the virtual machines and their properties in Hyper-V
Enumerate the virtual machines and their properties in hyper-v using WMI
Hyper-V Server Management Pack
The Windows Server Hyper-V Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager supports monitoring of Windows Server Hyper-V systems. This includes monitoring coverage of Hyper-V host servers, including critical services and disks, and Hyper-V virtual machines, including virtual components and virtual hardware.
RAMMap
See a visualization of the memory usage of any Windows system. This tool can be run inside a virtual machine to determine why Dynamic Memory isn’t working as expected.
NVSPBind
Command-line tool to modify virtual switch (and other protocols) binding from the command-line.
NVSPScrub
Command-line tool to cleanly remove the virtual switch and management operating system virtual adapters.
Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica
The Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica guides the IT administrator to design the server, storage, and network infrastructure which is required to successfully deploy Hyper-V Replica.
Free Monitoring Tools for Hyper-V
Monitor Hyper-V Server Performance
HyperV_Mon is a tool designed to monitor Hyper-V Server performance. The tool supports Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012. It shows detailed information about the performance of the Hyper-V Server. The tool is capable of monitoring CPU, memory, and I/O operations and provides the graphical summary of the Hyper-V Server performance in an easy-to-understand format.
Hyper-V Performance Monitor
Hyper-V Performance Monitor addresses monitoring requirements. The application was designed to monitor important parameters of the Microsoft Hyper V platform. This tool fetches comprehensive data about the servers and virtual machines and presents them as visually elegant graphs and reports in a desktop tool dashboard providing a wealth of information and the real-time functioning of the virtual servers. This tool shows the actual resource utilization of the virtual servers along with CPU usage, Memory details, Disk, and Network utilization of each guest operating system in Microsoft’s Hyper-V Environment.
Hyper-V Bandwidth Meter
Hyper-V Bandwidth Meter is a tool for Hyper-V bandwidth usage monitoring, counting, and reporting.
Hyper-V Gadgets
The Hyper-V Gadgets are specifically designed for Hyper-V Server and virtual machines running on them. It is a small program that is displayed on your desktop to monitor Hyper-V Server including monitoring resources such as CPU, memory, disk, and processor. It also allows you to run some commands from your desktop.
iOMETER
With customizable virtualized workloads, IOMETER can be helpful to measure Hyper-V disk and network performance. It is an open-source tool.
PowerShell Scripts for Hyper-V
Here’s a collection of scripts that can help you automate a variety of processes.
Our very own scripts
Configurable PowerShell Script for Hyper-V Export
One of our own: A free set of PowerShell scripts that will help you automate the export of Hyper-V VMs.
PowerShell Script to Check Hyper-V Health
Jeffery Hicks has written a fantastic script to check the health of your Hyper-V system and output an easy-to-read HTML file. Read the instructions and get the script all right from this site.
Awesome scripts from other sources
PowerShell Script to identify Hyper-V Host for a Virtual Machine
If you ever wanted to identify the Hyper-V Host for a virtual machine, the quickest way is to use this PowerShell script.
Deleting a snapshot–via PowerShell [Hyper-V]
There are a number of PowerShell cmdlets available for Hyper-V and Virtual Machines running on it. This PowerShell script can be used to delete a snapshot of a virtual machine.
GET-UpTime from localhost and/or remote Computer
Not specifically designed for Hyper-V, but you can use this PowerShell script to get Up Time for a local or Remote Hyper-V Computer.
Shutdown and Export Hyper-V VMs
Exporting all Virtual Machines running on a Hyper-V host requires that you shut down all the virtual machines before the export process takes place. This script does so for you! Not only it helps you export the Virtual Machine but also creates a log file that is emailed to you once the job is done. This script works perfectly fine on both stand-alone and clustered Hyper-V Server 2012 – 2016.
Deleting a snapshot sub-tree–via PowerShell [Hyper-V]
A PowerShell script to delete Snapshot Sub Tree of a Virtual Machine running on Hyper-V.
Applying a snapshot–via PowerShell [Hyper-V]
Applying a snapshot for a Virtual Machine running on Hyper-V.
Hyper-V: Script to Check IC Version
This script is designed by Microsoft developer Stefan Wernli to check the Integration Components version on the Virtual Machine running on Hyper-V Server.
PowerShell Script for Exporting a virtual machine
There are a number of scripts available to export a Virtual Machine running on Hyper-V Server. This one is written by Virtual PC Guy and written in PowerShell.
Powershell Library for Hyper-V Server 2008 R2
There are 80 PowerShell functions provided in the PowerShell Library for Hyper-V with source code. Using these cmdlets, you can work with Virtual Machine Disk Controllers, Virtual Machine Networking, and the Virtual Machine VHD Files.
PowerShell Script to configure user account to manage Hyper-V Servers
You should not use an Administrator account to log on to Hyper-V Server. Instead, you can use Authorization Manager to configure a user account to control all aspects of Hyper-V Server. This PowerShell script can configure user accounts for you.
Hyper-V: How to Find Virtualization Hosts (Servers with Hyper-V Enabled)
John Howard, Senior Program Manager in the Hyper-V team at Microsoft, shared a sample VBScript you can use to determine which domain-joined servers are running Hyper-V by using the SCP or “Service Connection Point” information in Active Directory.
WMI Helper Module for Windows PowerShell Version 6
Written by Script Guy.
Taking a snapshot–via PowerShell [Hyper-V]
Take a snapshot of a Virtual Machine using a PowerShell script.
Single PowerShell Script to Create a VM
Designed by Stephen, the script will ask you questions and then create a Virtual Machine on Hyper-V Server. This script can be used to create a Virtual Machine with a Fixed or Dynamic VHDX disk.
PowerShell for Failover Clustering: CSV Free Disk Space (and other info)
If you ever wanted to check the free disk space on CSV (Custer Shared Volume) volume, this script can help you. The script helps you find free disk space and other information related to a CSV volume.
Enabling processor compatibility with a script [Hyper-V]
The below PowerShell script, written by Virtual PC Guy, can be used to enable the process compatibility for Virtual Machines running on the Hyper-V Server. This is actually required when migrating virtual machines between different hardware platforms.
Get VM Last Use Time
Determine the last time that a virtual machine was used.
PowerShell Hyper-V Reporter
Single PowerShell script to get a detailed report of your Hyper-V Hosts and Virtual Machines running on it. The script works in Hyper-V Server Core 2012 versions. You must be running PowerShell 3.0 for this script to work.
Hyper-V Resources
These are repositories of information to help you understand and work with Hyper-V.
Hyper-V Root Page on TechNet
Microsoft’s TechNet page on Hyper-V is a launchpad for beginning with the hypervisor.
TechNet Hyper-V Forums
If you’ve done your research and just can’t find an answer, there are plenty of helpful volunteers on the TechNet Forums that will be glad to try to help.
Microsoft’s Virtualization Team Blog
This blog is a good place to find general information and announcements.
Ben Armstrong’s Blog
Ben Armstrong is a Hyper-V program manager that regularly provides useful information through his blog.
Didier Van Hoye’s Blog
Didier Van Hoye is a Microsoft MVP for Virtual Machines. His blog is a great source of information, particularly involving storage.
Hyper-V.nu Blog
Like the Altaro blog, the Hyper-V.nu blog has multiple contributors. Articles are usually in-depth and informative.
Brian Ehlert’s Blog
Brian Ehlert typically writes very interesting articles that often deal with issues that not many people will ever encounter. But, when you run into one of those issues, you’ll be very glad this resource is available as you’re unlikely to find the answer anywhere else.
Aidan Finn Blogs
Aidan Finn runs his own blog and writes for Petri. On his own blog, you’ll typically find quick summaries of new technologies and incisive commentaries. His Petri offerings add some how-tos: http://www.petri.co.il/author/aidan-finn
Robert Vierthaler’s Blog
Robert is a Microsoft Escalation Engineer that blogs about Hyper-V issues he encounters in the field. The content is quite varied.
John Howard’s Blog
John Howard is a Microsoft Senior Program Manager for the Hyper-V team. He posts very detailed articles about specific Hyper-V technologies.
James Stephan’s Blog
James Stephan (also the author of the PSHVM tool mentioned below) runs a blog sharing his experience with Server Core and Hyper-V Server.
Hyper-V Security Documentation
A common question is, “How do I secure Hyper-V?” Microsoft has a TechNet page dedicated to this topic.
Hyper-V WMI Documentation
PowerShell and any .Net language can be used to communicate with Hyper-V for automation and development.
Azure Pack Wiki
Windows Azure Pack (#WAPack) and Related Blogs, Videos, and TechNet Articles
Virtualization News Site
A virtualization news aggregator curated by Scott Cutter.
Free Hyper-V Backup
Our own Altaro Hyper-V Backup is completely free to use or up to 2 VMs! Have a look at what the software can do for you and download your free copy here!
We need your help!
We’ve already listed tons of tools, scripts, and resources and are trying to get to at least 101. Have we missed out on any you know of? Leave a comment and let us know!
Disclaimer: All items listed here are provided “as is”. Altaro Software does not provide any warranty, whether express, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of any items will be error-free.
