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Checkpoint-VM

Creates a checkpoint of a virtual machine.

Windows Server · Risk: High · Documentation Verified

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft Hyper-V reference: Creates a checkpoint of a virtual machine. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.

Checkpoint-VM [-CimSession <CimSession[]>] [-ComputerName <String[]>] [-Credential <PSCredential[]>]
 [-Name] <String[]> [[-SnapshotName] <String>] [-AsJob] [-Passthru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

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Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Checkpoint-VM. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / Hyper-V · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-AsJob: Runs the cmdlet as a background job.
-CimSession: Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-ComputerName: Specifies one or more virtual machine hosts on which the virtual machine checkpoint is to be created. NetBIOS names, IP addresses, and fully qualified domain names are allowable. The default is the local computer. Use localhost or a dot (.) to specify the local computer explicitly.
-Confirm: Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-Credential: Specifies one or more user accounts that have permission to perform this action. The default is the current user.
-Name (required): Specifies the name of the virtual machine of which a checkpoint is to be taken.
-Passthru: Specifies that an object is to be passed through to the pipeline representing the virtual machine of which a checkpoint is to be taken.
-SnapshotName: Specifies the name of the checkpoint to be taken. If not provided, a combination of the virtual machine's name and a current timestamp is used.
-VM (required): Specifies the virtual machine of which a checkpoint is to be taken.
-WhatIf: Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Prerequisites

Windows with the Hyper-V module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.

Security considerations

This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.

Examples

Example 1

Checkpoint-VM -Name Test -SnapshotName BeforeInstallingUpdates

Checkpoints virtual machine Test, creating a checkpoint of it named BeforeInstallingUpdates. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/Hyper-V/Checkpoint-VM.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/hyper-v/checkpoint-vm?view=windowsserver2025-ps

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