Hyper-V
Hyper-V is a virtualization platform which is available in Windows Server families (beginning with 2008), and also comes with client systems as an installable component: in Windows 8 and higher (but only Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions). With it you can test ReactOS in a virtual machine on your Windows PC.
WARNING: With each iteration of Windows 10 and updates of Hyper-V, potential incompatibilities may be introduced and breaks ReactOS booting as a result. This is currently the case, see CORE-16198.
Contents
Tutorial
Note: First of all, make sure you have read Installing ReactOS article.
Installing Hyper-V
First you have to add Hyper-V to your Windows installation. In explorer, go to add/uninstall programs. on the left is: Windows features activate. There you check the Hyper-V. easy.
Now on the start page, you will find 'Hyper-V manager'. Make a link to desktop or start for easy use.
Creating VM
In Hyper-V, create a virtual machine. use the type 1 (no secure boot). Remove the netcard and the SCSI component from the new virtual PC. Add a virtual disk 'hdd1.vdh' with 1GB and MBR-partition style. Do not use .vdhx.
Important: In the virtual disk don't create a volume or drive letter, yet. Don't format it yet. Add the reactos-install-iso as cd/dvd image to the VM.
Installing ReactOS
Start the VM .. It should boot from the install cd. You should see the light blue background. In the installer you create a big partition and format it with FAT. let the installer install a bootloader in VBR, not in MBR. Installation is fast. Reboot from disk and enjoy. ReactOS will find a ACPI device but not a driver. Just click it away. When you shutdown the VM you can mount/unmount the virtual disk in your windows explorer. With right click and the hdd1.vdh. now you can copy/rename/delete files in your reactos installation.
Setting up Network
1. Download this driver:
2. Than see this article:
Debugging
The Hyper-V also allows kernel debugging. You create a pipe for the virtual com port. It is the same like kernel debugging of a normal Windows VM.
Virtualization software to run ReactOS on | |
---|---|
Windows | Bochs | Hyper-V | PCem | QEMU | Virtual PC | VirtualBox | VMware |
ReactOS | Bochs | PCem | QEMU | Virtual PC |
Linux | Bochs | Libvirt | PCem | QEMU | VirtualBox |