To boot a virtual machine (VM) using PXE boot, the VM has to support an emulated Legacy Network Adapter. Follow the steps below to perform this. For more on WDs, see the following guide “Generation 2 VM deployment of Windows Server 2019, how to set up a Generation 2 VM via PXE boot, how to set up a Generation 1VM via PXE boot, and how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 2 VM, how to deploy images to computers or virtual machines using WDS, and Windows deployment cannot continue, the operating system is missing via MDT deployment“.

Hyper-V specifically provides hardware virtualization. That means each virtual machine runs on virtual hardware. Hyper-V lets you create virtual hard drives, virtual switches, and a number of other virtual devices all of which can be added to virtual machines.

VM via PXE boot on a Generation 1 VM

To set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 1 VM, please follow the steps below.
– Shut down or turn off the virtual machine.
– Edit the settings of the virtual machine.
– Browse to Add Hardware, select Legacy Network Adapter, and click Add.
– Click OK to save your changes.

Now the virtual machine is PXE capable, with the lower performing Legacy Network Adapter.

Follow up with other manual steps. Add the legacy network adapter. Click on Add

Click Expand the legacy Network Adapter recently added

Enter the Mac Address (Depending on your environment, you have to set a Static MAC address that will enable the VM search for the WDS server or else it will fail)

Click on the Next, click on the legacy Network adapter and under the virtual switch, select the right network adapter

Lastly, ensure that the client boots first using the Legacy Network Adapter. Just select the Legacy Network Adapter and move it to the top using the buttons.