Along came the complexity of creating and configuring a virtual machine. For the past few years, I have been using Oracle’s VirtualBox to spin up VMs because it’s so much faster on all fronts, including creating the virtual disk, configuring memory, and choosing your image. The next revision of Windows 10, called the Creators Update, hopes to make things a little easier. Based on my initial testing, the new Quick Create feature is definitely on the right path, but it’s still noticeably in its early days. Let’s check it out.
How to Setup a New Virtual Machine Using Hyper-V Quick Create
Quick Create is only available through the Hyper-V Management Console—something I hope will change as the feature matures. For now, you will have to access it that way. Click Start, type: hyper-v then hit Enter, and click Quick Create… under the Actions pane.
This will launch a new mini applet with a simple set of options; this is a dramatic departure from Hyper-V’s detailed wizard interface. There are some limitations to this new experience. I immediately discovered based on trial and error that any attempt to create a virtual machine on a partition with limited space will result in an error. Quick Create gives you no option to choose another partition, create fixed storage size or choose a drive with enough space, which means, you will have to go back to the old method. Under ideal conditions, the new interface is refreshing. All you need to do is give your VM a name, choose your installation source (ISO file or VHD image), choose an existing switch or have it create one for you automatically. Creating the virtual switch has always been one of my pain points; Quick Create takes the trouble out of setting up and sharing your internet connection by doing it for you. When you are ready, click Create Virtual Machine and Hyper-V will automatically start the virtual machine.
Click Connect.
Click Start to load the virtual machine then perform the installation.
You can make further adjustments to disk and memory from the Hyper-V Settings interface. I must admit, Quick Create was a bit buggy and failed to create both the virtual machine and virtual switch. This is beta code though, and we are quite a way from the Creators Update final release in March. It’s a welcome addition, but I personally would like to see simplicity plus options, maybe a side panel where I can make on the fly adjustments to memory, VHD locations without having to resort to the old interfaces. Quick Create remains a premium business exclusive; users running Windows 10 Home will still have to settle for the excellent VirtualBox or VMWare’s Player.
