How to Install Hyper-V Manager on Windows 7
Virtual machines can be created using Hyper-V without the use of any additional software. This feature is not available in Windows 7, and it requires Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 Professional or Enterprise editions. But for, windows 7 users can easily install hyper-v manager and manage virtual machines and servers created on a different platform. In this article, we will learn to install hyper-v manager on windows 7.
What is Hyper-V?
Microsoft Hyper-V is a virtualization solution that allows people to use several operating systems on a single computer system. It means you can create and use several virtual machines on a single host machine. Of course, the hardware requirement also has to be fulfilled. You can also read our guide on installing Hyper-v on Azure if you would like to deploy virtual servers in the cloud or provide fail over for on-prem Hyper V virtual machines.
Hyper-V Management
Creating virtual machines is straightforward, but the true challenge is managing them. One of the primary challenges with running many VMs is that it’s a real pain to manage them all. To ensure that all components of your server function in tandem, you need a management tool that gives you comprehensive information about your server environment. Before you progress further down the virtualization route, you should have a firm plan in place for management tools and procedures.
Virtual machine environments require the following elements to be managed:
- Storage – Every Virtual Machine requires Space allocation and RAM allocation to function efficiently.
- Security and Software updates – VMs are just like actual machines and require frequent security patches and software updates to keep them safe and help them run smoothly.
- Backup management is like what we do when we create a backup and restore point for our windows machine. VMs also require backups whenever there is a failure.
- System Uptime Management – When there is a cluster of VMs operating, it is essential to monitor the availability and uptime of every VM.
Management Tools
Following are the tools that help in managing Hyper-V :
- Hyper-V Manager – It is a free Windows Server tool.
- Failover Cluster Manager – Windows Server includes Failover Cluster Manager for managing Hyper-V failover clusters. Failover clustering occurs when a collection of servers work together to ensure mission-critical application availability. High availability means that if one of the servers in the cluster fails, another one takes over immediately. To handle non-cluster machines, you’ll need Hyper-V Manager.
- SCVMM (System Center Virtual Machine Manager) – SCVMM (System Center Virtual Machine Manager) must be purchased separately. Hyper-V Manager cannot handle Hyper-V hosts or Hyper-V failover clusters in bigger virtual environments. Hence this utility performs many management responsibilities. A statistics dashboard and custom templates are incorporated into the SCVMM console. It also has a “library” feature, which lets you quickly construct and configure new virtual machines. SCVMM is an improvement over the free Hyper-V Manager and the Failover Cluster Manager tools, but it lacks several advanced features included in the Hyper-V Manager.
- SCOM (System Center Operations Manager) – enables you to monitor your virtual environment with SCVMM.
- PowerShell – It is a command-line utility that allows users to access system services. When shutting down all VMs on a specific host, Windows PowerShell is frequently used to automate common and complicated processes. Use PowerShell to perform most Hyper-V Manager functions. For controlling Hyper-V hosts, PowerShell offers more flexibility and uses fewer computer resources.
Hyper-V Manager
Windows Server has a free tool called Hyper-V Manager. It can create, read, update, and remove virtual machines, performing the most fundamental VM CRUD operations. Nevertheless, it comes with considerable constraints. Hyper-V Manager does not allow VMs to be moved between hosts, and only one host can be shown at a time. The most basic tasks can be done, and the only ways to measure your accomplishment are a few measures. Additional tools are required to access advanced management features.
Installing Hyper-V Manager on Windows 7
Even though hyper-v was launched for the windows 8 version and later, you can still install hyper-v manager on windows 7 to manage virtual machines on another host.
Also Read
Pre-requites
Since we are more focused on managing other virtual machines hence our requirement in terms of hardware is bare minimal, and any ordinary windows 7 machine with 4 GB ram would be sufficient. Here is the list of pre-requisite:
- Windows 7 machine
- 4 GB Ram
- Standard Hardisk/SSD (as what comes pre-configured with a new machine)
- Hosts/VMs and the windows 7 machine should be on the same domain or network.
Download and Install RSAT for Windows 7
Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) allows IT admins, to remotely manage Windows Server roles and features from a PC running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or later versions of windows.
The very first step would be to install Remote Server Administration Tools. This tool supports only windows 7 professional and ultimate edition. As Microsoft has stopped support for windows 7 you won’t find the installer on the official Microsoft site. However, you can download it from free open source sites such as filehippo. You can also download from this link which the total virus site has validated. Install the installer.
Create an Admin User on Windows 7
We have to create an admin user, which should be the same as what is on Hyper-V Host or node. To make an admin user, go to Start –> Control Panel –> Add or Remove user accounts
Add Local Admin on Hyper-V Machine
On Hyper-V machine, run command prompt and type sconfig as shown in the image.
Next select option 3: Add Local Administrator as shown in the image
Change Hyper-V Firewall settings
Open a command prompt on Hyper-V machine or node and run the following command netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off. This will turn off the firewall of the hyper-v machine. Next, On the power shell, execute the following script
winrm set winrm/config/client `@`{TrustedHosts=`"`*`"`}
Edit Hostfiles
After we have created an admin user on a windows machine, the next step is to add the IP address of the hyper-v machine on the windows hostfile and adding the IP address of the windows 7 machine on the hyper-v node.
For Windows 7
- Click Start > All Programs > Accessories.
- Open Notepad as administrator.
- Click Continue on the Windows needs your permission window.
- When Notepad opens, click File > Open.
- In the File name field, type C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts.
- Open it.
- Add ipaddress <hostname of the Hyper-V node>.
- Save your changes.
On Hyper-V Host
Run the following command in cmd
runas /user:administrator "notepad "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts""
The above command will open host file. Add <ipaddress of windows 7> <hostname of windows 7> to the hostfile
Change DCOM settings on Windows 7
Now we will log in using the admin account created earlier. Press Windows button + R and type dcomcng command. The command will open the DCOM settings console. Expand My Computer, which you will find under component services–>computers expand the menu so that My Computer is selected under Component Services\Computers.
click on properties select COM security and select Edit Limits under Access Permissions. Allow the Remote access for ANONYMOUS LOGON
Activate RSAT Tools
After downloading and installing RSAT, the tools are not automatically available in Windows 7. Using the Control Panel, enable the tools you want to use. To make the tools available, go to Start, Control Panel, Programs and Features, and then Turn Windows features on or off.
To disable tools you do not want to use in Windows 7, open Turn Windows features on or off.
You must first enable the tools for the roles and features you wish to administer after running the installation package for RSAT in Windows 7.
Connect to Hyper-V Host/Hosts
You can browse (or provide an IP address) the list of host/hosts (provided they are in the same domain). Select Connect to Server to run a VRDP(Virtual Remote Desktop Protocol) session from the right-hand side.
We have tried to make this as simple as possible. But as the windows 7 support has been withdrawn, readers are advised to research the availability of tools and compatibility with the latest windows machines. To our best knowledge, even the existing windows 7 machine should still be compatible with the latest windows 10 hyper-v machines.
