What's the difference between import virtual machines types in Hyper-V?

[ForumBot]

I was importing a virtual machine to my Hyper-V manager and I got 3 options:

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  Register the virtual machine in place (use the existing unique ID)

  
  


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  Restore the virtual machine in place (use the existing unique ID)

  
  


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  Copy the virtual machine (create a new unique ID)

  
  

What’s the difference between the three options?

[ayi]

Register: If you have a virtual machine were you have already put all of the virtual machine files exactly where you want them, and you just need Hyper-V to start using the virtual machine where it is.

Restore: If your virtual machine files are stored on a file share / removable drive / etc… and you want Hyper-V to copy the files to the appropriate location for you, and then register the virtual machine.

Copy: If you have a set of virtual machine files that you want to import multiple times (e.g. you are using them as a template for new virtual machines) this is what you want to choose. This will copy the files to an appropriate location, give the virtual machine a new unique ID, and then register the virtual machine.

Source: Technet forums: Hyper-V Import Wizard: Choose Import Type?