hyper-v can I boot directly to a vhd?

what is the host o/s Windows Server 2008??

Server 2008R2 and Windows 7 and above permit boot to vhd

The host and vm are both server 2008 R2.  How can I do this?  Also, can I switch back and load the host and run the vm?

So I will be able to access the vm two ways, one by booting to the host which will host he vm, and also by booting directly to the vm?

Technical details http://preview.tinyurl.com/mvy25x3 with video

Thanks, that doesn't show how to boot directly to a vhd that already exists as part of hyper v setup.  How can I do that?

Short answer: you cannot.

The only way to do that is to use some paid backup solutions as Symantec BackupExec for example to back up the VM and to restore it on bare metal - this will effectively overwrite the host server and all data, including the existing VM.

So what is the difference in creating a vhd using a dual boot scenario and using hyper-v?  I don't understand the difference.  I was thinking there was just some sort of config I had to go through.

Would I be able to just make a copy of a vhd then boot to that?

So what is the difference in creating a vhd using a dual boot scenario and using hyper-v?  I don't understand the difference.  I was thinking there was just some sort of config I had to go through.

As far as the operating system is concerned only different hardware.  


Would I be able to just make a copy of a vhd then boot to that?

Depends upon your hardware settings.. Windows will have to be re-activated

Thanks, I am still confused.  Can you elaborate a bit more?

With a dual boot, do you typically set up the partitions then install an os on each?  With hyper v you can move them to different instances of hyper v, but not to a direct boot?

I don't understand why I can't boot to my vhd.  It is on the same machine that housed the hyper-v instance so the hardware is the same.