How to convert a virtual machine to a physical machine?

Converting a virtual machine (VM) to a physical machine is a process of migrating virtual instances and associated application software to a physical hardware platform. This conversion helps optimize operating system performance and hardware resource utilization. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at how to make this conversion.

How to migrate from a virtual machine to a physical machine?

Usually, the conversion process between a virtual machine and a physical machine is performed by third-party software outside the virtual machine. This process consists of multiple stages involving the configuration of virtual machines and the transfer of resources.

Prepare the physical machine:

• The first step is to ensure that the physical machine meets the hardware requirements for Windows.
• We need to back up the data on a physical machine because the conversion process will overwrite the existing data.
• *Username and password for an administrator account with administrator rights to create system images.

Convert virtual disk to physical disk: You need to use a disk imaging tool to create a copy of the virtual disk as a physical image.

Prepare the virtual machine: Before the conversion process can begin, the Windows virtual machine must be shut down.

Transfer the disk image to the physical machine: After creating the disk image from the VM, it needs to be transferred to the physical machine through an external hard disk, USB, etc.

Booting a physical machine from a disk image: We can use a disk imaging tool to create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD with a disk image.

Configure the physical machine: After booting the physical machine from the disk image, we can follow any other settings or configuration steps prompted by the Windows installation process.

Tools required for V2P migration

The migration tools required for this process include:

• Applications that prepare operating system image transfers: During virtual and physical migrations, applications perform configuration changes to hardware devices. This application must be installed in the VM before starting the conversion process.
• Image Transfer Application: Migrate the operating system from the virtual machine to the physical operating system, which should be installed in the VM.
• Hardware device driver: for the target physical machine and its hardware resources.

For easier understanding, this article will use a single application (Aomei Backupper) to perform the entire conversion process, although various third-party software can also be used to perform the same process independently.

In addition to Aomei Backupper, you can also consider using VMware vCenter Converter, Clonezilla, Platespin Migrate and other tools for conversion. According to forum feedback, paid tools are generally more reliable than free tools, which may require more time and operational complexity.

How to convert a virtual machine to a physical machine (V2P)?

Before starting the conversion, two preliminary processes need to be carried out, as follows:

Create a bootable USB drive

• Open the Aomei Backup application and select Create Bootable Media under the Tools section.

• In the next window, select "Windows PE - Create a Windows PE-based boot disk" and click Next.

• Select the option USB Boot Device and click Next.

• After the startup device creation process is complete, click Finish in the next window.

Create system backup image

• Open AOMEI Backup UPPER application and select System Backup option under Backup section.

• Enter the name of the backup task at your convenience. After selecting the backup option, the system and boot partition will be selected as the source drive for the backup by default.
• Select the destination path to store the backup (USB drive, external drive, etc.)
• Click Start Backup to start the process.
• When the process is complete, click Finish.

Steps to convert virtual machine to physical machine

Make the necessary changes in BIOS or UEFI to ensure that the first boot device is selected as USB.

• Shut down the PC that must be installed and reboot from the bootable USB created through the above process.
• Once the system boots, the Aomei Backup application will start automatically. In the application, click on the recovery section on the left and then click on the Select image file option to select the path to the backup system image that has been created on the USB drive.

• Click Restore This System Backup and select the option Restore System to Other Location.

• Click Next to continue.
• Select the target partition to which you want to transfer the restored data and click Next.

• On the next page, check and confirm all information and settings before starting the recovery process. Check the Universal Restore option to ensure that the system is bootable after the restore process is complete.
• Finally, click Start Restore to transfer the OS image to the physical system to complete the conversion process.

• After the conversion is complete, it is recommended to update the device driver for your hardware from the manufacturer's website to ensure optimal performance.

I hope this article helps you migrate a copy of this virtual machine to a physical drive.

Do I need to reactivate Windows after conversion/migration?

Yes, since the hardware platform undergoes significant changes during the conversion/migration process, the reactivation process is initiated as part of Microsoft's Genuine Security measures.

How to copy the virtual machine image to the hard disk?

Most VM software offers an export option, which you can use to make a copy on your hard drive. The form will be similar to what the VM software supports. For example, VMware supports OVF or OVA.

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