14

I am running Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (version 1803, 64-bit). I'm trying to create a Windows 7 SP1 virtual machine for running some legacy software.

When the virtual machine starts up, it asks me to press any key to continue booting from the (virtual) DVD drive that contains the installation media. However, I cannot get the virtual machine to acknowledge that I've pressed any keys. I've also tried using the Type Clipboard Text feature and Send Ctrl-Alt-Del.

Improve this question
5
  • If you click inside window and press a key does it work. Is the ISO file known to work, has it been used before? Are you using a Gen1 or Gen2 VM?
    – essjae
    Commented Jun 25, 2019 at 21:13
  • Yes, I had clicked inside the window. The ISO ought to work, it was obtained directly from Microsoft. It is a Gen2 VM. See my answer below.
    – rgov
    Commented Jun 25, 2019 at 21:20
  • 3
    I've discovered a similar issue with Windows 10 - that I had to be SUPER quick at pressing a key.
    – GilesDMiddleton
    Commented Jul 17, 2020 at 17:11
  • Confirming what @GilesDMiddleton has said when the server is shut down, click "connect," and you'll get the "start" button. By doing this, the server will start before your eyes and once you see the "press any key message", hit a button. I found this worked immediately. Versus what I was doing before. "starting the server," then "connecting," That was too slow. Enjoy!!
    – JustinP
    Commented Apr 4 at 13:11
  • The TAB key works.
    – Phillip Ngan
    Commented May 3 at 4:58

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
36

For Gen 2 VMs, sometimes on first boot, the key presses are not received. So, I usually wait until the first boot times out, and the screen with "Restart" button is displayed, and then tab once or twice to click on that button using the keyboad. After that the keyboard keys are read without issues.

Improve this answer
3
  • 5
    Thank you! This worked for me.
    – Cory Grimster
    Commented Jun 29, 2021 at 15:55
  • 3
    Works. Amazing long time issue it seems
    – Grrbrr404
    Commented Jan 16, 2023 at 7:57
  • This worked for me. Thank you!
    – Timothy Randall
    Commented Jun 20 at 19:01
12

I created this virtual machine with Microsoft's built-in Hyper-V Quick Create tool. That tool creates a Generation 2 virtual machine, which does not seem compatible with Windows 7.

Creating a Generation 1 virtual machine manually from the Hyper-V Manager app worked fine.

Improve this answer
1
  • You saved my life.
    – Frank Fang
    Commented May 26, 2022 at 2:54

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .