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Error when you try to export a virtual machine on a Windows Server 2008-based computer that uses Hyper-V: An error occurred while attempting to export the virtual machine

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This article provides a resolution for an issue in which you can't export a virtual machine on a Windows Server 2008-based computer that uses Hyper-V if the hard disk configuration settings or network adapter configuration settings are incorrect.

Original KB number:   954280

Symptoms

When you try to export a virtual machine on a Windows Server 2008-based computer that uses Hyper-V, you may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while attempting to export the virtual machine.
Virtual machine name failed to export.

Cause

This issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:

  • The virtual machine is configured to use a virtual hard disk that no longer exists.
  • The virtual machine is configured to use a virtual hard disk for which the virtual hard disk path is incorrect.
  • The virtual machine is configured to use a virtual network that no longer exists.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Hyper-V Microsoft Management Console (MMC). To do this, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Hyper-V Manager.

  2. Right-click the virtual machine that didn't export, and then click Settings.

  3. Examine the network adapters or the legacy network adapters to see whether there's a configuration error message listed.

  4. Take one of the following actions, depending on whether a configuration error message is listed:

    • If a configuration error message is listed, select the network adapter that lists the configuration error message, click a valid virtual network in the Network drop-down list, and then click OK.

    Or, click Not connected in the Network drop-down list, and then click OK.

    • If a configuration error message isn't listed, verify that the hard drives point to valid virtual hard disk (.vhd) files, and then click OK.

  5. Right-click the virtual machine that didn't export, and then click Export.

  6. Select the location where you want to export the virtual machine, and then click Export.