Do you want to know how to copy running Hyper-V virtual machine efficiently? If so, then this post is definitely for you! Keep reading to learn an easy method on how to copy running Hyper-V virtual machine that will help you get the job done quickly and without any headaches.
Contents
- Open Hyper-V Manager. In the left pane, click on the server that contains the virtual machine you want to export.
- Select the virtual machine you want to export in the middle pane, and then click the Export button in the Actions pane.
- In the Export Virtual Machine dialog box, choose a location for the export file and click Next.
- Choose to export only selected snapshots or all snapshots, and then click Next.
- Choose whether to copy or move files to another location and click Next.
- Choose whether to compress files and then click Next.
- Click Finish to export the virtual machine’s files to the specified location
Can you copy a VHDX while it is running?
The simple answer is yes, you can, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that you should not do this on a production system without first backing up the VM in question.

The second is that if you use different disks, you must copy both the parent and child disks. The process is quite simple:
- Shutdown the VM that you want to copy
- Copy the VHDX files to your desired location
- Create a new VM and attach the copied VHDX files
Hyper-V moves the virtual machine to another host without export.
You can use PowerShell scripts if you want to move or copy a running Hyper-V virtual machine to another host without export.
You can either use the Move-VM cmdlet or the Copy-VM cmdlet. The advantage of using PowerShell scripts is that it does not require any downtime for the VM.
FAQs on How to copy running Hyper-V virtual machine
Can I export a running Hyper-V virtual machine?
Yes, you can. There are two ways to do this.
The first is to use the Export function in Hyper-V Manager, and the second is PowerShell,
Can you copy a virtual machine while it is running?
Yes, you can copy a virtual machine while it is running. However, you will need to use a third-party tool to do so.
We recommend using VMware vCenter Converter, a free tool from VMware that can be used to convert physical and virtual machines from various formats.
Conclusion:
In summary, We have tried to cover all possible options on how to copy running Hyper-V virtual machine and all its pros and cons.
Do let us know your thoughts about the topic in the comment section below.