---
modeline: |
  vim: set ft=pandoc:
description: >-
  The Hyper-V Packer builder is able to clone an existing Hyper-V virtual
  machine and export them.
layout: docs
page_title: Hyper-V Builder (from a vmcx)
sidebar_title: VMCX
---

# Hyper-V Builder (from a vmcx)

Type: `hyperv-vmcx`

The Hyper-V Packer builder is able to use exported virtual machines or clone
existing
[Hyper-V](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/solutions/virtualization.aspx)
virtual machines.

Typically, the builder imports or clones an existing virtual machine,
boots it, provisions software within the OS, and then shuts it down. The
result of the Hyper-V builder is a directory containing all the files
necessary to run the virtual machine portably.

## Basic Examples

Here are some basic examples. Neither example would really do anything more
than producing a copy of the source virtual machine. However, the examples
could be used as a starting point for more advanced templates.

Import from folder:

```json
{
  "type": "hyperv-vmcx",
  "clone_from_vmcx_path": "c:/path/to/ubuntu-12.04.5-server-amd64",
  "ssh_username": "packer",
  "ssh_password": "packer",
  "shutdown_command": "echo 'packer' | sudo -S shutdown -P now"
}
```

Clone from existing virtual machine:

```json
{
  "clone_from_vm_name": "ubuntu-12.04.5-server-amd64",
  "shutdown_command": "echo 'packer' | sudo -S shutdown -P now",
  "ssh_password": "packer",
  "ssh_username": "packer",
  "type": "hyperv-vmcx"
}
```

By default Packer will perform a hard power off of a virtual machine.
However, when a machine is powered off this way, it is possible that
changes made to the VMs file system may not be fully synced, possibly
leading to corruption of files or lost changes. As such, it is important to
add a `shutdown_command`. This tells Packer how to safely shutdown and
power off the VM.

## Configuration Reference

There are many configuration options available for the Hyper-V builder. They
are organized below into two categories: required and optional. Within each
category, the available options are alphabetized and described.

In addition to the options listed here, a
[communicator](/docs/templates/communicator) can be configured for this
builder.

## ISO Configuration Reference

@include 'common/ISOConfig.mdx'

### Required:

@include 'common/ISOConfig-required.mdx'

### Optional:

@include 'common/ISOConfig-not-required.mdx'

### Required for virtual machine import:

- `clone_from_vmcx_path` (string) - The path to a directory containing a
  previously exported virtual machine. The exported machine will be used
  as the source for new VM.

  note: You should provide the named directory that contains the
  "Virtual Machines", "Snapshots", and/or "Virtual Hard Disks" subdirectories,
  not the .vmcx file itself.

### Required for virtual machine clone:

- `clone_from_vm_name` (string) - The name of the VM to clone from. Ideally
  the machine to clone from should be shutdown.

### Optional:

@include 'builder/hyperv/vmcx/Config-not-required.mdx'

@include 'builder/hyperv/common/CommonConfig-not-required.mdx'

## Communicator configuration reference

### Optional common fields:

@include 'helper/communicator/Config-not-required.mdx'

### Optional SSH fields:

@include 'helper/communicator/SSH-not-required.mdx'

@include 'helper/communicator/SSH-Private-Key-File-not-required.mdx'

### Optional WinRM fields:

@include 'helper/communicator/WinRM-not-required.mdx'

### CD configuration

@include 'common/CDConfig.mdx'

#### Optional:

@include 'common/CDConfig-not-required.mdx'

## Boot Command

The `boot_command` configuration is very important: it specifies the keys to
type when the virtual machine is first booted in order to start the OS
installer. This command is typed after `boot_wait`, which gives the virtual
machine some time to actually load the ISO.

As documented above, the `boot_command` is an array of strings. The strings
are all typed in sequence. It is an array only to improve readability within
the template.

The boot command is "typed" character for character over the virtual keyboard
to the machine, simulating a human actually typing the keyboard.

@include 'builders/boot-command.mdx'

The example shown below is a working boot command used to start an Ubuntu
12.04 installer:

```json
[
  "<esc><esc><enter><wait>",
  "/install/vmlinuz noapic ",
  "preseed/url=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/preseed.cfg ",
  "debian-installer=en_US auto locale=en_US kbd-chooser/method=us ",
  "hostname={{ .Name }} ",
  "fb=false debconf/frontend=noninteractive ",
  "keyboard-configuration/modelcode=SKIP keyboard-configuration/layout=USA ",
  "keyboard-configuration/variant=USA console-setup/ask_detect=false ",
  "initrd=/install/initrd.gz -- <enter>"
]
```

For more examples of various boot commands, see the sample projects from our
[community templates page](/community-tools#templates).

## Http directory configuration

@include 'common/HTTPConfig.mdx'

### Optional:

@include 'common/HTTPConfig-not-required.mdx'

## Integration Services

Packer will automatically attach the integration services ISO as a DVD drive
for the version of Hyper-V that is running.

## Generation 1 vs Generation 2

Floppy drives are no longer supported by generation 2 machines. This requires
you to take another approach when dealing with preseed or answer files. Two
possible options are using the `cd_files` option or using Packer's built in web
server.

When dealing with Windows you need to enable UEFI drives for generation 2
virtual machines.

## Creating an ISO From a Directory

Programs like mkisofs can be used to create an ISO from a directory. There is
a [windows version of
mkisofs](http://opensourcepack.blogspot.co.uk/p/cdrtools.html) available.

Below is a working PowerShell script that can be used to create a Windows
answer ISO:

```powershell
$isoFolder = "answer-iso"
if (test-path $isoFolder){
  remove-item $isoFolder -Force -Recurse
}

if (test-path windows\windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64\answer.iso){
  remove-item windows\windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64\answer.iso -Force
}

mkdir $isoFolder

copy windows\windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64\Autounattend.xml $isoFolder\
copy windows\windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64\sysprep-unattend.xml $isoFolder\
copy windows\common\set-power-config.ps1 $isoFolder\
copy windows\common\microsoft-updates.ps1 $isoFolder\
copy windows\common\win-updates.ps1 $isoFolder\
copy windows\common\run-sysprep.ps1 $isoFolder\
copy windows\common\run-sysprep.cmd $isoFolder\

$textFile = "$isoFolder\Autounattend.xml"

$c = Get-Content -Encoding UTF8 $textFile

# Enable UEFI and disable Non EUFI
$c | % { $_ -replace '<!-- Start Non UEFI -->','<!-- Start Non UEFI' } | % { $_ -replace '<!-- Finish Non UEFI -->','Finish Non UEFI -->' } | % { $_ -replace '<!-- Start UEFI compatible','<!-- Start UEFI compatible -->' } | % { $_ -replace 'Finish UEFI compatible -->','<!-- Finish UEFI compatible -->' } | sc -Path $textFile

& .\mkisofs.exe -r -iso-level 4 -UDF -o windows\windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64\answer.iso $isoFolder

if (test-path $isoFolder){
  remove-item $isoFolder -Force -Recurse
}
```

## Example For Windows Server 2012 R2 Generation 2

Packer config:

```json
{
  "builders": [
    {
      "vm_name": "windows2012r2",
      "type": "hyperv-iso",
      "disk_size": 61440,
      "floppy_files": [],
      "secondary_iso_images": [
        "./windows/windows-2012R2-serverdatacenter-amd64/answer.iso"
      ],
      "http_directory": "./windows/common/http/",
      "boot_wait": "0s",
      "boot_command": ["a<wait>a<wait>a"],
      "iso_url": "http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/2/A/62A76ABB-9990-4EFC-A4FE-C7D698DAEB96/9600.16384.WINBLUE_RTM.130821-1623_X64FRE_SERVER_EVAL_EN-US-IRM_SSS_X64FREE_EN-US_DV5.ISO",
      "iso_checksum": "md5:458ff91f8abc21b75cb544744bf92e6a",
      "communicator": "winrm",
      "winrm_username": "vagrant",
      "winrm_password": "vagrant",
      "winrm_timeout": "4h",
      "shutdown_command": "f:\\run-sysprep.cmd",
      "memory": 4096,
      "cpus": 4,
      "generation": 2,
      "switch_name": "LAN",
      "enable_secure_boot": true
    }
  ],
  "provisioners": [
    {
      "type": "powershell",
      "elevated_user": "vagrant",
      "elevated_password": "vagrant",
      "scripts": [
        "./windows/common/install-7zip.ps1",
        "./windows/common/install-chef.ps1",
        "./windows/common/compile-dotnet-assemblies.ps1",
        "./windows/common/cleanup.ps1",
        "./windows/common/ultradefrag.ps1",
        "./windows/common/sdelete.ps1"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "post-processors": [
    {
      "type": "vagrant",
      "keep_input_artifact": false,
      "output": "{{.Provider}}_windows-2012r2_chef.box"
    }
  ]
}
```

autounattend.xml:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="windowsPE">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core-WinPE" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SetupUILanguage>
                <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            </SetupUILanguage>
            <InputLocale>en-US</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-US</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            <UILanguageFallback>en-US</UILanguageFallback>
            <UserLocale>en-US</UserLocale>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <!-- Start Non UEFI -->
            <DiskConfiguration>
                <Disk wcm:action="add">
                    <CreatePartitions>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <Size>350</Size>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                            <Extend>true</Extend>
                        </CreatePartition>
                    </CreatePartitions>
                    <ModifyPartitions>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Active>true</Active>
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>boot</Label>
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <PartitionID>1</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <Label>Windows 2012 R2</Label>
                            <Letter>C</Letter>
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                    </ModifyPartitions>
                    <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                    <WillWipeDisk>true</WillWipeDisk>
                </Disk>
            </DiskConfiguration>
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/NAME </Key>
                            <Value>Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARD</Value>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
                    <InstallTo>
                        <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                        <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                    </InstallTo>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            <!-- Finish Non UEFI -->
            <!-- Start UEFI compatible
            <DiskConfiguration>
                <Disk wcm:action="add">
                    <CreatePartitions>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <Size>300</Size>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <Size>100</Size>
                            <Type>EFI</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>3</Order>
                            <Size>128</Size>
                            <Type>MSR</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                        <CreatePartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>4</Order>
                            <Extend>true</Extend>
                            <Type>Primary</Type>
                        </CreatePartition>
                    </CreatePartitions>
                    <ModifyPartitions>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>1</Order>
                            <PartitionID>1</PartitionID>
                            <Label>WINRE</Label>
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                            <TypeID>de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac</TypeID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>2</Order>
                            <PartitionID>2</PartitionID>
                            <Label>System</Label>
                            <Format>FAT32</Format>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>3</Order>
                            <PartitionID>3</PartitionID>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                        <ModifyPartition wcm:action="add">
                            <Order>4</Order>
                            <PartitionID>4</PartitionID>
                            <Label>Windows</Label>
                            <Format>NTFS</Format>
                        </ModifyPartition>
                    </ModifyPartitions>
                    <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                    <WillWipeDisk>true</WillWipeDisk>
                </Disk>
                <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
            </DiskConfiguration>
            <ImageInstall>
                <OSImage>
                    <InstallFrom>
                        <MetaData wcm:action="add">
                            <Key>/IMAGE/NAME </Key>
                            <Value>Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERSTANDARD</Value>
                        </MetaData>
                    </InstallFrom>
                    <InstallTo>
                        <DiskID>0</DiskID>
                        <PartitionID>4</PartitionID>
                    </InstallTo>
                </OSImage>
            </ImageInstall>
            Finish UEFI compatible -->
            <UserData>
                <!-- Product Key from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx -->
                <ProductKey>
                    <!-- Do not uncomment the Key element if you are using trial ISOs -->
                    <!-- You must uncomment the Key element (and optionally insert your own key) if you are using retail or volume license ISOs -->
                    <!--<Key>D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX</Key>-->
                    <WillShowUI>OnError</WillShowUI>
                </ProductKey>
                <AcceptEula>true</AcceptEula>
                <FullName>Vagrant</FullName>
                <Organization>Vagrant</Organization>
            </UserData>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="specialize">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <OEMInformation>
                <HelpCustomized>false</HelpCustomized>
            </OEMInformation>
            <ComputerName>vagrant-2012r2</ComputerName>
            <TimeZone>Coordinated Universal Time</TimeZone>
            <RegisteredOwner />
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-ServerManager-SvrMgrNc" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <DoNotOpenServerManagerAtLogon>true</DoNotOpenServerManagerAtLogon>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-ESC" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <IEHardenAdmin>false</IEHardenAdmin>
            <IEHardenUser>false</IEHardenUser>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-OutOfBoxExperience" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <DoNotOpenInitialConfigurationTasksAtLogon>true</DoNotOpenInitialConfigurationTasksAtLogon>
        </component>
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP-UX" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SkipAutoActivation>true</SkipAutoActivation>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
<!-- Start Setup cache proxy during installation
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-ClientNetworkProtocolImplementation" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <POLICYProxySettingsPerUser>0</POLICYProxySettingsPerUser>
            <HKLMProxyEnable>true</HKLMProxyEnable>
            <HKLMProxyServer>cache-proxy:3142</HKLMProxyServer>
        </component>
Finish Setup cache proxy during installation -->
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <AutoLogon>
                <Password>
                    <Value>vagrant</Value>
                    <PlainText>true</PlainText>
                </Password>
                <Enabled>true</Enabled>
                <Username>vagrant</Username>
            </AutoLogon>
            <FirstLogonCommands>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c powershell -Command "Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Force"</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Set Execution Policy 64 Bit</Description>
                    <Order>1</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe /c powershell -Command "Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Force"</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Set Execution Policy 32 Bit</Description>
                    <Order>2</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm quickconfig -q</CommandLine>
                    <Description>winrm quickconfig -q</Description>
                    <Order>3</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm quickconfig -transport:http</CommandLine>
                    <Description>winrm quickconfig -transport:http</Description>
                    <Order>4</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config @{MaxTimeoutms="1800000"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM MaxTimeoutms</Description>
                    <Order>5</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/winrs @{MaxMemoryPerShellMB="300"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM MaxMemoryPerShellMB</Description>
                    <Order>6</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/service @{AllowUnencrypted="true"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM AllowUnencrypted</Description>
                    <Order>7</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/service/auth @{Basic="true"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM auth Basic</Description>
                    <Order>8</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/client/auth @{Basic="true"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM client auth Basic</Description>
                    <Order>9</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/listener?Address=*+Transport=HTTP @{Port="5985"} </CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM listener Address/Port</Description>
                    <Order>10</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c netsh advfirewall firewall set rule group="remote administration" new enable=yes </CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM adv firewall enable</Description>
                    <Order>11</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="WinRM 5985" protocol=TCP dir=in localport=5985 action=allow</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM port open</Description>
                    <Order>12</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="WinRM 5986" protocol=TCP dir=in localport=5986 action=allow</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM port open</Description>
                    <Order>13</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c net stop winrm </CommandLine>
                    <Description>Stop Win RM Service </Description>
                    <Order>14</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c sc config winrm start= disabled</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM Autostart</Description>
                    <Order>15</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>16</Order>
                    <Description>Show file extensions in Explorer</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKCU\Console /v QuickEdit /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>17</Order>
                    <Description>Enable QuickEdit mode</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ /v Start_ShowRun /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>18</Order>
                    <Description>Show Run command in Start Menu</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\ /v StartMenuAdminTools /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>19</Order>
                    <Description>Show Administrative Tools in Start Menu</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\ /v HibernateFileSizePercent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>20</Order>
                    <Description>Zero Hibernation File</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\ /v HibernateEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Order>21</Order>
                    <Description>Disable Hibernation Mode</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c wmic useraccount where "name='vagrant'" set PasswordExpires=FALSE</CommandLine>
                    <Order>22</Order>
                    <Description>Disable password expiration for vagrant user</Description>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/winrs @{MaxShellsPerUser="30"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM MaxShellsPerUser</Description>
                    <Order>23</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c winrm set winrm/config/winrs @{MaxProcessesPerShell="25"}</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Win RM MaxProcessesPerShell</Description>
                    <Order>24</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>%SystemRoot%\System32\reg.exe ADD "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters" /v DisablePasswordChange /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Turn off computer password</Description>
                    <Order>25</Order>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="ICMP Allow incoming V4 echo request" protocol=icmpv4:8,any dir=in action=allow</CommandLine>
                    <Description>ICMP open for ping</Description>
                    <Order>26</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <!-- WITH WINDOWS UPDATES -->
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c IF EXIST a:\set-power-config.ps1 (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File a:\set-power-config.ps1) ELSE (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File f:\set-power-config.ps1)</CommandLine>
                    <Order>97</Order>
                    <Description>Turn off all power saving and timeouts</Description>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c IF EXIST a:\microsoft-updates.ps1 (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File a:\microsoft-updates.ps1) ELSE (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File f:\microsoft-updates.ps1)</CommandLine>
                    <Order>98</Order>
                    <Description>Enable Microsoft Updates</Description>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
                    <CommandLine>cmd.exe /c IF EXIST a:\win-updates.ps1 (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File a:\win-updates.ps1) ELSE (C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -File f:\win-updates.ps1)</CommandLine>
                    <Description>Install Windows Updates</Description>
                    <Order>100</Order>
                    <RequiresUserInput>true</RequiresUserInput>
                </SynchronousCommand>
                <!-- END WITH WINDOWS UPDATES -->
            </FirstLogonCommands>
            <OOBE>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <HideLocalAccountScreen>true</HideLocalAccountScreen>
                <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
                <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
                <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
                <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
            </OOBE>
            <UserAccounts>
                <AdministratorPassword>
                    <Value>vagrant</Value>
                    <PlainText>true</PlainText>
                </AdministratorPassword>
                <LocalAccounts>
                    <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
                        <Password>
                            <Value>vagrant</Value>
                            <PlainText>true</PlainText>
                        </Password>
                        <Group>administrators</Group>
                        <DisplayName>Vagrant</DisplayName>
                        <Name>vagrant</Name>
                        <Description>Vagrant User</Description>
                    </LocalAccount>
                </LocalAccounts>
            </UserAccounts>
            <RegisteredOwner />
            <TimeZone>Coordinated Universal Time</TimeZone>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="offlineServicing">
        <component name="Microsoft-Windows-LUA-Settings" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <EnableLUA>false</EnableLUA>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <cpi:offlineImage cpi:source="wim:c:/projects/baseboxes/9600.16384.winblue_rtm.130821-1623_x64fre_server_eval_en-us-irm_sss_x64free_en-us_dv5_slipstream/sources/install.wim#Windows Server 2012 R2 SERVERDATACENTER" xmlns:cpi="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:cpi" />
</unattend>
```

sysprep-unattend.xml:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<unattend xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:unattend">
    <settings pass="generalize">
        <component language="neutral" name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-SPP" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <SkipRearm>1</SkipRearm>
        </component>
    </settings>
    <settings pass="oobeSystem">
<!-- Setup proxy after sysprep
       <component name="Microsoft-Windows-IE-ClientNetworkProtocolImplementation" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" language="neutral" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <POLICYProxySettingsPerUser>1</POLICYProxySettingsPerUser>
            <HKLMProxyEnable>false</HKLMProxyEnable>
            <HKLMProxyServer>cache-proxy:3142</HKLMProxyServer>
        </component>
Finish proxy after sysprep -->
        <component language="neutral" name="Microsoft-Windows-International-Core" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <InputLocale>0809:00000809</InputLocale>
            <SystemLocale>en-GB</SystemLocale>
            <UILanguage>en-US</UILanguage>
            <UILanguageFallback>en-US</UILanguageFallback>
            <UserLocale>en-GB</UserLocale>
        </component>
        <component language="neutral" name="Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup" processorArchitecture="amd64" publicKeyToken="31bf3856ad364e35" versionScope="nonSxS" xmlns:wcm="http://schemas.microsoft.com/WMIConfig/2002/State" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
            <OOBE>
                <HideEULAPage>true</HideEULAPage>
                <HideOEMRegistrationScreen>true</HideOEMRegistrationScreen>
                <HideOnlineAccountScreens>true</HideOnlineAccountScreens>
                <HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>true</HideWirelessSetupInOOBE>
                <NetworkLocation>Work</NetworkLocation>
                <ProtectYourPC>1</ProtectYourPC>
                <SkipUserOOBE>true</SkipUserOOBE>
                <SkipMachineOOBE>true</SkipMachineOOBE>
            </OOBE>
            <UserAccounts>
                <AdministratorPassword>
                    <Value>vagrant</Value>
                    <PlainText>true</PlainText>
                </AdministratorPassword>
                <LocalAccounts>
                    <LocalAccount wcm:action="add">
                        <Password>
                            <Value>vagrant</Value>
                            <PlainText>true</PlainText>
                        </Password>
                        <Group>administrators</Group>
                        <DisplayName>Vagrant</DisplayName>
                        <Name>vagrant</Name>
                        <Description>Vagrant User</Description>
                    </LocalAccount>
                </LocalAccounts>
            </UserAccounts>
            <DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet>true</DisableAutoDaylightTimeSet>
            <TimeZone>Coordinated Universal Time</TimeZone>
            <VisualEffects>
                <SystemDefaultBackgroundColor>2</SystemDefaultBackgroundColor>
            </VisualEffects>
        </component>
    </settings>
</unattend>
```

-> **Warning:** Please note that if you're setting up WinRM for provisioning, you'll probably want to turn it off or restrict its permissions as part of a shutdown script at the end of Packer's provisioning process. For more details on the why/how, check out this useful blog post and the associated code:
https://cloudywindows.io/post/winrm-for-provisioning-close-the-door-on-the-way-out-eh/

## Example For Ubuntu Vivid Generation 2

If you are running Windows under virtualization, you may need to create a
virtual switch with an `External` connection type.

### Packer config:

```json
{
  "variables": {
    "vm_name": "ubuntu-xenial",
    "cpu": "2",
    "memory": "1024",
    "disk_size": "21440",
    "iso_url": "http://releases.ubuntu.com/16.04/ubuntu-16.04.1-server-amd64.iso",
    "iso_checksum": "sha1:DE5EE8665048F009577763EFBF4A6F0558833E59"
  },
  "builders": [
    {
      "vm_name": "{{user `vm_name`}}",
      "type": "hyperv-iso",
      "disk_size": "{{user `disk_size`}}",
      "guest_additions_mode": "disable",
      "iso_url": "{{user `iso_url`}}",
      "iso_checksum": "{{user `iso_checksum`}}",
      "communicator": "ssh",
      "ssh_username": "packer",
      "ssh_password": "packer",
      "ssh_timeout": "4h",
      "http_directory": "./",
      "boot_wait": "5s",
      "boot_command": [
        "<esc><wait10><esc><esc><enter><wait>",
        "set gfxpayload=1024x768<enter>",
        "linux /install/vmlinuz ",
        "preseed/url=http://{{.HTTPIP}}:{{.HTTPPort}}/hyperv-taliesins.cfg ",
        "debian-installer=en_US auto locale=en_US kbd-chooser/method=us ",
        "hostname={{.Name}} ",
        "fb=false debconf/frontend=noninteractive ",
        "keyboard-configuration/modelcode=SKIP keyboard-configuration/layout=USA ",
        "keyboard-configuration/variant=USA console-setup/ask_detect=false <enter>",
        "initrd /install/initrd.gz<enter>",
        "boot<enter>"
      ],
      "shutdown_command": "echo 'packer' | sudo -S -E shutdown -P now",
      "memory": "{{user `memory`}}",
      "cpu": "{{user `cpu`}}",
      "generation": 2,
      "enable_secure_boot": false
    }
  ]
}
```

### preseed.cfg:

```text
## Options to set on the command line
d-i debian-installer/locale string en_US.utf8
d-i console-setup/ask_detect boolean false
d-i console-setup/layout string us

d-i netcfg/get_hostname string nl-ams-basebox3
d-i netcfg/get_domain string unassigned-domain

d-i time/zone string UTC
d-i clock-setup/utc-auto boolean true
d-i clock-setup/utc boolean true

d-i kbd-chooser/method select American English

d-i netcfg/wireless_wep string

d-i base-installer/kernel/override-image string linux-server

d-i debconf debconf/frontend select Noninteractive

d-i pkgsel/install-language-support boolean false
tasksel tasksel/first multiselect standard, ubuntu-server

## Partitioning
d-i partman-auto/method string lvm

d-i partman-lvm/confirm boolean true
d-i partman-lvm/device_remove_lvm boolean true
d-i partman-lvm/confirm boolean true

d-i partman-auto-lvm/guided_size string max
d-i partman-auto/choose_recipe select atomic

d-i partman/confirm_write_new_label boolean true
d-i partman/choose_partition select finish
d-i partman/confirm boolean true
d-i partman/confirm_nooverwrite boolean true

# Write the changes to disks and configure LVM?
d-i partman-lvm/confirm boolean true
d-i partman-lvm/confirm_nooverwrite boolean true

d-i partman-partitioning/no_bootable_gpt_biosgrub boolean false
d-i partman-partitioning/no_bootable_gpt_efi boolean false
d-i partman-efi/non_efi_system boolean true

# Default user
d-i passwd/user-fullname string packer
d-i passwd/username string packer
d-i passwd/user-password password packer
d-i passwd/user-password-again password packer
d-i user-setup/encrypt-home boolean false
d-i user-setup/allow-password-weak boolean true

# Minimum packages
d-i pkgsel/include string openssh-server ntp linux-tools-$(uname -r) linux-cloud-tools-$(uname -r) linux-cloud-tools-common

# Upgrade packages after debootstrap? (none, safe-upgrade, full-upgrade)
# (note: set to none for speed)
d-i pkgsel/upgrade select none

d-i grub-installer/only_debian boolean true
d-i grub-installer/with_other_os boolean true
d-i finish-install/reboot_in_progress note

d-i pkgsel/update-policy select none

choose-mirror-bin mirror/http/proxy string
```
