What it does
virt-v2v converts supported Linux and Windows guests from other hypervisors to KVM targets. It can adjust the guest and install virtio drivers as part of preparing the converted machine.
Choose a supported source guest and KVM destination, or convert a disk image to local output with the documented input/output-directory options. virt-v2v prepares guest boot/devices and can install virtio drivers, extending beyond a disk-container change. The guest must be cleanly shut down and kept off during conversion; the manual also warns against restarting the source after success. Temporary overlays and some routes need additional disk space. Windows conversion finishes driver setup on first boot, and guest networking may need adjustment for a different subnet. Physical conversion uses the related virt-p2v frontend.
Strengths
- Handles guest preparation as well as the virtual-disk conversion context.
Best for
- Administrators migrating supported guests to KVM
Sources
- GitHub - libguestfs/virt-v2v: Virt-v2v converts guests from foreign hypervisors to run on KVM · GitHub (Oct 26, 2026)
- virt-v2v (Oct 26, 2026)