podman-system-hyperv-prep(1)

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

SYNOPSIS
podman system hyperv-prep [options]

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

  --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
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
podman(1)(podman.1.md), podman-system(1)(podman-system.1.md)

HISTORY
April 2026