Question on external USB RAW (physical disks not VHDX ) on HYPER-V


jimbo45

jimbo45

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Hi folks
for the Windows VM gurus -- HYPER-V question.

Can I attach a physical external USB SSD to a HYPER-V VM, install W11 on it and boot from that physical device whether or not it's set up as a "VHDX" file. Seems if one can overcome the "Virtual disk I/O" one can improve a whole slew of things. I can do it in QEMU/KVM and the USB device boots without issue when running the VM. The bootloader of course still needs to be recognized by the VM software but as it can boot from "Native" USB devices shouldn't be an issue.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Yes
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
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    Lenovo A485
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    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
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    SecureBoot: Enabled
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  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
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    PC/Desktop
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    Custom
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    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
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    Asus PRIME Z270-A
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    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
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    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
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    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
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    850W
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    Fractal Design Define 7
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    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
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    Logitech MX Master 2S
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    Logitech MX Keys
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    600/300Mbit
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    AC WiFi Card
jimbo45 said:
Hi folks
for the Windows VM gurus -- HYPER-V question.

Can I attach a physical external USB SSD to a HYPER-V VM, install W11 on it and boot from that physical device whether or not it's set up as a "VHDX" file. Seems if one can overcome the "Virtual disk I/O" one can improve a whole slew of things. I can do it in QEMU/KVM and the USB device boots without issue when running the VM. The bootloader of course still needs to be recognized by the VM software but as it can boot from "Native" USB devices shouldn't be an issue.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
You can certainly set up a vhdx file on an external drive and boot from it in a Windows 11 VM.

However, not sure if you can install W11 on an external drive (Windows To Go) and get Hyper-V to boot from it.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
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    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
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    Yep, Laptop has one.
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    16 GB soldered
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    2880x1800 touchscreen
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    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
cereberus said:
You can certainly set up a vhdx file on an external drive and boot from it in a Windows 11 VM.

However, not sure if you can install W11 on an external drive (Windows To Go) and get Hyper-V to boot from it.
Click to expand...
Hi there

I ve just tried it -- it won't boot from within the VM (Hyper-V) itself but it actually boots directly from the device so also an easy way to create a Physical W11 install from within a VM -- attach USB device, boot Windows installer, format HDD (disk part, convert GPT etc and all the other stuff) install Windows on it, boot loader and then boot the device.Not sure if this is any better than "Standard install" but I'm sure if I can "Poodle fake" the VM's boot loader it might work. I'm messing around with GRUB currently that can do all sorts of "Magic" stuff with this.

My target ideal is to be able to get 2 or 3 of these essentially Physical Windows OS'es to be able to run concurrently under the guise of a VM.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
SlicEnDicE said:
Yes
Click to expand...

jimbo45 said:
Hi there

I ve just tried it -- it won't boot from within the VM (Hyper-V) itself but it actually boots directly from the device so also an easy way to create a Physical W11 install from within a VM -- attach USB device, boot Windows installer, format HDD (disk part, convert GPT etc and all the other stuff) install Windows on it, boot loader and then boot the device.Not sure if this is any better than "Standard install" but I'm sure if I can "Poodle fake" the VM's boot loader it might work. I'm messing around with GRUB currently that can do all sorts of "Magic" stuff with this.

My target ideal is to be able to get 2 or 3 of these essentially Physical Windows OS'es to be able to run concurrently under the guise of a VM.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
That is what I just said...just not as in many words. :wink:
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296 (Release Channel) / Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    65W
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 10.0.22631.3296(Release Preview Channel)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    600/300Mbit
    Browser
    Edge (Cromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
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