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Microsoft Windows: How To Create a Microsoft Nested Hyper-V Server

Summary: This article explains how to enable nested virtualization for a Windows Hyper-V Virtual Machine. The Virtual Machine can be converted into a Hyper-V Server capable of running Windows virtual machines after enabling nested virtualization and MacAddressSpoofing. ...

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Instructions

In this example, "Nest-HV" is our sample virtual machine (VM), the name of the VM being converted to a nested VM is inserted into the PowerShell commands enabling nested virtualization and MAC Spoofing. Details on system requirements are found in the Microsoft article: What is Nested Virtualization?This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
  1. Log in to host Hyper-V Server.
  2. Open Hyper-V Manager and find the VM to be used as Nested Hyper-V Server.
  3. Right-Click on VM and Select Shutdown.
Displaying how to shut down a Hyper-V VM in Hyper-V Manager.
  1. Open an administrative ISE PowerShell Window on the Hyper-V host.
  2. Copy in the PowerShell command below. Run the PowerShell command below inserting the name of the Hyper-V VM.
Set-VMProcessor -VMName Nest-HV -ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $true
 
Showing PowerShell command to run on Hyper-V host to allow the use of Virtual Extensions on a Windows Hyper-V VM.
  1.  Run the below command to enable MacAddressSpoofing.
Set-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName Nest-HV | Set-VMNetworkAdapter -MacAddressSpoofing On
PowerShell command to allow MACAddressSpoofing on nested Hyper-V VM Server.
  1. Start the nested Hyper-V VM
  2. Log in to the nested VM
  3. Open an Admin ISE PowerShell session, adding the Script View Window
  4. Paste in and run the PowerShell command below to install the Hyper-V role on the VM.
Install-WindowsFeature -Name Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools -Restart

 

PowerShell command to run on the nested Hyper-V VM Server to install Hyper-V Server role and Hyper-V Management Tools.
  1. After the VM reboots, open "Server Manager"
  2. In the left windowpane, select "Hyper-V."
  3. In the center window, right-click "Nest-HV" and click Hyper-V Manager.
  4. Confirm "NEST-HV" is seen appearing as a Hyper-V Server.
 
View in Hyper-V Manager of newly created nested Hyper-V VM Server.
  1. The new VMs can be created or imported into the new nested Hyper-V Server for VM use.

Additional Information

How to Create a Nested Hyper-V Server.

Duration: 00:03:54 (hh:mm:ss)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the CC icon on this video player.

Affected Products

Dell Solutions Guides for Microsoft Hyper-V, Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Article Properties
Article Number: 000219458
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 17 Mar 2025
Version:  5
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