Replace VMware with Proxmox and Hyper-V [Detailed Steps]

In your virtualization strategy, in addition to VMware, you may also want to consider using Proxmox and Hyper-V instead. They offer powerful features, flexibility in deployment, and cost-effective solutions. In this article, steps and strategies for replacing VMware with Proxmox and Hyper-V will be provided.

Why Replace VMware

Recent changes in VMware have caught the attention of users who may consider replacing VMware:

• Increased Cost: Licensing costs have become a major pain point.
• Vendor Lock-in: Closed ecosystems and rigid licensing.
• Broadcom Acquisition Fallout: Reduce support for small customers and community features.
• Search for Open Source and Hybrid Alternatives: Enterprises are favoring flexible, community-driven platforms.

How to Replace VMware with Proxmox and Hyper-V

Before migration, you need access to the VMware environment:

• Create a list of all your virtual machines (VMs), including their operating system (OS), CPU, RAM, disk size, and network interface controllers (NICs).
• Note special configurations, such as snapshots, custom drivers, and VLANs, etc.
• Use RVTools, PowerCLI, or vSphere export for easy inventory.

How to Replace VMware with Hyper-V

Step 1. Set Up Hyper-V

Download and install Hyper-V.

Then set:

• Create a Virtual Switch in Hyper-V Manager (External for network access).
• Create folders for VM storage and ISOs.
• Configure Hyper-V Replica or cluster (if applicable).

Step 2. Convert and Migrate VMware VMs to Hyper-V

1. Export VMs from VMware

• Shut down the VM.
• Download the VMDK files or export as OVF/OVA (if not encrypted).

2. Convert VMware VM to Hyper-V

Using StarWind V2V Converter, the easiest way:

• Free tool with GUI.
• Select VMware VMDK as the source.
• Select Microsoft VHDX as the target.
• Choose Generation 1 (BIOS) or Generation 2 (UEFI), depending on the original VM.

3. Create a New VM in Hyper-V

• Open Hyper-V Manager.
• Create a new virtual machine.
• Choose Generation 1 or 2 (match your original VM).
• Attach the converted .vhdx disk.
• Adjust memory, CPU, and network settings.

How to Replace VMware with Proxmox

Step 1. Choose Proxmox VE and Prepare Hardware

Proxmox VE is a powerful, open-source virtualization platform based on KVM and LXC.

Download and install Proxmox.

Setup Checklist:

• Assign a static IP.
• Set hostname and DNS.
• Create storage (ZFS, LVM, or directory-based).
• Create a vmbr0 Linux bridge for networking.

Step 2. Convert and Migrate VMware VMs

You need to convert VMDK disks and re-import them into Proxmox.

1. Export the VM from VMware

Shut down the VM in ESXi or vCenter.

Export the VM as:

• OVA/OVF (includes VMDK).
• Or download the VMDK from datastore directly.

2. Convert VMDK to Proxmox Format

Proxmox supports RAW and QCOW2 formats.

Using qemu-img:

3. Import the Disk into Proxmox

Easy and Efficient Way to Backup VMware and Hyper VMs

AOMEI Cyber ​​Backup is a professional backup software that can protect VMware and Hyper-V VMs while keeping data safe during the migration process.

It can offer several features to help configure backup:

Easy to Use: All backup and restore processes are based on clicks from a centralized console without any complicated configuration and reinstallation.
Restore From Any Point: It offers instant disaster recovery since you can restore a virtual machine from any point and recover a VM to another datastore quickly.
All-around Data Protection: It offers flexible backup strategies to create a full backup of the entire VM and incremental backup to keep tracking the changed data.
Backup Multiple VMs Simultaneously: You can set VMware and Hyper-V backup for multiple VMs on a single host simultaneously.

Easy steps to configure VM backup

Step 1. Log in to AOMEI Cyber Backup, navigate to Source Device > VMware/Hyper-V to add the host.

Step 2. Navigate to Backup Task > + Create New Task, and you can select VMware ESXi Backup/Hyper-V Backup as the Backup Type.

Step 3. Set Task Name, Device, Target, and Schedule as needed.

• Task Name: You can change the task name or use the default name with an ordinal.
• Device: You can choose a VM managed by vCenter Server for centralized backup.

• Target: You can select to back up to a local path or to a network path. Used paths will be saved in Favorite Storage for handy selection.

Schedule: You can perform full, differential, or incremental backup and automate execution according to the frequency you specified.

Step 4. Click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

Conclusion

Replacing VMware with Proxmox and Hyper-V is a smart, cost-effective move. Proxmox offers powerful tools like ZFS, built-in backup, and clustering; Hyper-V offers deep Windows integration, Active Directory compatibility, and enterprise-ready features like replication and failover clustering.