I just started using Virtual PC for Windows 7. So far I have to say I have been liking it a lot. The only issue I don’t like (This is a RC version) is that there is no 64bit support. That being said I installed Windows 2008 Server in a virtual machine. I wanted to clone it quickly and without much pain. Here’s how to do it:
First step is make sure that all patches have been applied to the virtual machine. This will save you a ton of time later.
Once you have everything patched in the guest OS you are going to have to sysprep the image. In windows 2008 it is VERY easy to do. Go to START – Type “cmd” in the search box and hit ENTER.
A black command prompt window will open. In the command prompt type:
cd\windows\system32\sysprep
Hit Enter after you type the command.
Next you have to type:
sysprep
This will open the “System Preparation Tool 3.14”.
Make sure your settings look like this:
Hit “OK”. Sysprep will take a few minutes before it will shutdown.
Create a new VM.
Go to where the original VM is located. Copy the VHD file and paste it in the new VM directory.
Delete the old .vhd file and rename this VHD the same as the old one.
Start the new VM.
The new VM will boot into Windows 2008 but it will ask you to enter a new password as seen below:
The server will reboot. You might get the message that the itegration features could not be loaded. Don’t worry about this right now.
You will be asked things like “what is the server name” and
You’re machine will now have a new SID. This machine can now be on the same network as the original machine without any issues.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ee530017
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