Hyper-V’s documented defaults put VM configuration and runtime-state files in one folder, virtual disks in another, and checkpoint files in a snapshots folder. Those defaults apply to new or upgraded VMs; an existing VM may use different paths if the host defaults changed or paths were chosen during creation or import.
Where are Hyper-V VMs stored by default?
Microsoft’s documented Windows defaults for new or upgraded VMs are organized by file role. They are a reference, not a guarantee of where a particular VM’s files are stored.
| File role | Common extensions | Documented default path | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| VM configuration | .vmcx |
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Machines |
Binary VM configuration information. |
| Runtime state | .vmrs, .vmgs |
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Machines |
Binary runtime-state information. |
| Virtual hard disks | .vhd, .vhdx |
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Hard Disks |
The VM’s virtual disks. |
| Automatic virtual hard disks and checkpoint differencing disks | .avhdx |
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Hard Disks |
Differencing disk files used with checkpoints. |
| Checkpoint files | .vmrs, .vmcx |
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsSnapshots |
Checkpoint configuration and runtime-state files; each checkpoint creates such files. |
These paths are documented by Microsoft Learn’s Hyper-V storage overview. The checkpoint documentation gives the default as %systemroot%ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VSnapshots; when %systemroot% resolves to the Windows directory, normally C:Windows, that corresponds to the Windows snapshots location shown above.
Where does Hyper-V store VHDX and checkpoint files?
VHD and VHDX virtual disks
The documented default for virtual disks on Windows is C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Hard Disks. A VM can instead use a disk at another path, including an existing disk selected during creation.
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Checkpoint files and AVHDX differencing disks
Microsoft documents checkpoint configuration and runtime-state files in the snapshots folder. The .avhdx differencing disks associated with checkpoints are listed under Virtual Hard Disks, not the snapshots folder. For a particular VM, confirm the configured checkpoint location and actual disk paths rather than inferring them from the extension alone. See Microsoft Learn’s checkpoint guidance.
How are storage paths chosen when creating a VM?
Hyper-V Manager
In the New Virtual Machine wizard, specify where to store the VM configuration files. During virtual hard disk setup, create a disk and choose its location, select an existing .vhd or .vhdx, or proceed and attach a disk later. Configuration and virtual-disk paths are separate choices. Microsoft’s VM creation guide describes the wizard options.
PowerShell
With New-VM, use -Path for VM configuration files and -VHDPath to attach an existing virtual disk. To create a new disk, use -NewVHDPath with -NewVHDSizeBytes. For example:
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New-VM -Name "ExampleVM" -Path "D:Hyper-VVMs" -NewVHDPath "E:Hyper-VDisksExampleVM.vhdx" -NewVHDSizeBytes 60GBThis illustrates separate locations; choose paths appropriate to the host and deployment. Consult the Microsoft Learn creation guide for command examples and supported options.
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Host defaults influence future creation behavior; changing them does not move files belonging to VMs that already exist.
Set the host’s VM configuration default
In PowerShell, Set-VMHost -VirtualMachinePath sets the default folder for VM configuration files. Microsoft describes this as a functional setting: when a VM creation tool such as New-VM receives no path, it uses this value. Hyper-V creates at least a Virtual Machines subfolder under the configured folder.
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Set-VMHost -VirtualMachinePath "D:Hyper-V"Set the host’s virtual hard disk folder
Set-VMHost -VirtualHardDiskPath sets the default VHD folder offered by Hyper-V Manager and Windows Admin Center. In Microsoft’s Windows Server 2025 reference, this is “not a functional setting” for the cited API and New-VHD examples: those do not use it to choose a disk path. Treat it as a default offered by those management interfaces, not a rule that overrides an explicit path or relocates disks.
Set-VMHost -VirtualHardDiskPath "E:Hyper-VDisks"The distinction and scope are documented in Microsoft Learn’s Windows Server 2025 Set-VMHost reference.
Change the checkpoint location for an individual VM
For a VM with no checkpoints, change the checkpoint configuration and saved-state folder in that VM’s Settings under Management > Checkpoints, using the Checkpoint File Location control. Microsoft documents the default as %systemroot%ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VSnapshots. Use the VM’s settings and checkpoint guidance to verify the applicable controls for the host version.
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How do export and import affect file locations?
An export gathers the VM’s virtual hard disks, configuration files, and any checkpoint files. The import choice determines whether files stay where they are, are restored elsewhere, or are copied as a distinct VM.
- Register the virtual machine in place: use the files at their existing location rather than making a relocated copy.
- Restore the virtual machine: restore it to a chosen or default location.
- Copy the virtual machine: create a copy with a new VM ID.
Choose the option that matches whether you need to retain the existing files and VM identity or create a separate copy. Microsoft documents these options in Export and import virtual machines.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why might a VM’s actual paths differ from the defaults?
A host’s default folders may have been changed, a different location may have been supplied during VM creation, or files may have been placed through import. Defaults alone cannot establish an existing VM’s current storage location. Check the VM’s details in Hyper-V management tools or query the host and VM with PowerShell before planning a move.
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If the management console cannot locate or change a VM configuration, Microsoft lists possible causes including deleted or migrated storage, incorrect permissions on a share or cluster resource, and an outdated host operating system. Check the configuration folder for the VM’s .vmcx file, confirm that the management client is using the correct paths, and verify that the client and VM have permission to modify configuration files. The documented default configuration folder is C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsHyper-VVirtual Machines. See Microsoft’s Hyper-V configuration troubleshooting guidance.
Before moving Hyper-V files
- Verify the VM’s actual configuration, disk, and checkpoint paths, and check the host’s current defaults.
- Assess destination capacity, performance, resilience, access permissions, and support for the deployment’s share or cluster setup; the cited documentation does not prescribe universal hardware specifications or performance rankings.
- Do not manually move active files based only on the default-path table. Use the supported Hyper-V move, export, or import workflow appropriate to the situation.
Microsoft’s export and import documentation explains the supported import choices and their effects on file placement and VM identity.
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