How to Rename a VM?

Renaming a Virtual Machine (VM) is a straightforward process, achievable through either command-line tools like PowerShell or the graphical interface of Hyper-V Server. This guide will walk you through the common methods.

Methods for Renaming a VM

Depending on your preference and the environment you are working in, you can rename a VM using PowerShell or the Hyper-V graphical management tools.

Method 1: Using PowerShell

For those comfortable with command-line interfaces, PowerShell offers a quick and efficient way to rename VMs.

List Existing VMs: Before renaming, it's helpful to see a list of your current VMs and their exact names. Open PowerShell and execute the following command:
```
Get-VM
```
This command displays all registered virtual machines.
Rename the VM: Once you have the exact name of the VM you wish to rename, use the Rename-VM cmdlet. The syntax requires specifying the current VM name and the new desired name. According to the reference, the command is:
```
Rename-VM “<VM name” -NewName “<New name”
```
- Replace <VM name> with the current name of your virtual machine.
- Replace <New name> with the name you want to assign to the virtual machine.
Example: To rename a VM currently called "OldWebSvr" to "NewProdWeb", you would run:
```
Rename-VM “OldWebSvr” -NewName “NewProdWeb”
```

Method 2: Using Hyper-V Server GUI

If you are using Hyper-V Server and prefer a visual interface, you can rename a VM directly within the Hyper-V Manager console.

Locate the VM: Open Hyper-V Manager. In the Explore pane (usually the left-hand pane listing the Hyper-V hosts and VMs), navigate to and find the virtual machine you want to rename.
Access Management Options: Right-click on the desired virtual machine in the list.
Select Rename: From the context menu that appears, select the Rename option.
Enter New Name: A text box or dialog will appear allowing you to edit the VM's name. Enter the new name you wish to give the virtual machine.
Confirm: Click OK or press Enter to apply the new name.

The VM's name will be updated in the Hyper-V Manager console.

Both methods achieve the same result, allowing you to easily organize and identify your virtual machines.