It usually occurs after moving virtual machines between hosts or domains, where the saved SID in the VM configuration no longer maps to a valid user or group. Another known cause is leftover or corrupted SID entries in the system registry, especially under the ProfileList key with .bak profiles. When importing a virtual machine, Hyper-V may reference user or group permissions that no longer exist on the new host. If the associated SID doesn’t resolve to a valid account, the VM fails to start. Ensuring proper user permissions and cleaning up invalid registry entries usually resolves the issue.
1. Add a Valid User ID to the VM
This command grants VMConnect access to a specific user account, resolving permission issues that may occur after moving VMs between systems. It doesn’t fix SID-related errors in registry or VM configuration, but allows the current user to connect to the VM through Hyper-V Manager. For example, if your VM is called “appuals”, you would use this command:
Avoiding the Error in the Future
To avoid this error from happening again, it’s essential to migrate or move Hyper-V VMs using supported and secure methods that preserve permissions and account mappings.
1. Perform Hyper-V Live Migration
This method moves active workloads between machines without shutting them down. It retains all associated permissions and configurations, making it one of the safest ways to relocate resources without breaking security links.
2. Use PowerShell to Move the VM
Moving the instance using scripting tools ensures that configuration data, permissions, and storage paths are preserved properly. This reduces the chances of permission conflicts during the transition.
3. Export and Import the VM
Exporting creates a complete backup that includes all necessary files and configuration data. Re-importing it on a different machine sets up the environment from scratch, bypassing many manual reconfiguration steps.
3.1. Export VM
3.2. Import VM
4. Use a Third-Party Migration Tool
You can also use external apps or services to migrate Hyper-V VMs across systems or domains. Some of these tools handle permission mapping automatically and reduce the chance of SID mismatches. Examples include:
Veeam Backup & ReplicationStarWind V2V ConverterAltaro VM Backup
