podman-system-hyperv-prep(1) General Commands Manual podman-system-hyperv-prep(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

podman-system-hyperv-prep - A Windows administrator command to prepare a host that is going to run Hyper-V based Podman machines

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**podman system hyperv-prep** \[*options*]

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

Prepare a Windows host to run Hyper-V based Podman machines by creating the required registry entries in HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE for Hyper-V VSock communication and adding the current user to the Hyper-V Administrators group.

The registry entries are marked to persist even when all machines are removed, and the group membership allows the user to manage Hyper-V virtual machines. Together, these avoid the need for administrator privileges during normal machine operations.

This command requires administrator privileges and is only available on Windows. The **--status** option can be used without administrator privileges.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

## **--mounts**=*number*

Number of VSock entries for mount purpose. Every mounted host folder of a running machine needs a dedicated VSock. There should be enough VSock to satisfy the needs of running Podman machines on the host. The default is **2**.

## **--force**, **-f**

Skip confirmation prompts during reset. Only valid with **--reset**.

## **--reset**

Remove all Podman VSock registry entries and remove the current user from the Hyper-V Administrators group. Prompts for confirmation before each action unless **--force** is specified.

## **--status**

Show the list of VSock registry entries and the current user's Hyper-V Administrators group membership status.

# [EXAMPLE](#EXAMPLE)

Create the required registry entries and add the current user to the Hyper-V Administrators group:

```
podman system hyperv-prep
```

Show existing registry entries and group membership status:

```
podman system hyperv-prep --status
```

Remove all Podman VSock registry entries and the current user from the Hyper-V Administrators group (with confirmation prompts):

```
podman system hyperv-prep --reset
```

Reset without confirmation prompts:

```
podman system hyperv-prep --reset --force
```

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[**podman(1)**](/man/enterprise-packages/podman-fips/podman.1), [**podman-system(1)**](/man/enterprise-packages/podman-fips/podman-system.1)

# [HISTORY](#HISTORY)

April 2026

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Document: podman-system-hyperv-prep(1) from podman-fips 6.0.0-r2 (Chainguard OS)