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Windows Server 2003 in AHV (Nutanix Guest Tools)

  • November 17, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 51 views
Daniel Martinez
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Hi

As you know Windows server 2003 is not officialy supported with AHV or MOVE but using the following link I was able to migrate a VM with Windows Server 2003 from an old vCenter to a new AHV cluster. 

https://www.vmwaremine.com/2019/01/24/migrate-windows-2003-x86-to-nutanix-ahv/#sthash.8hpeCflP.T3i44mTW.dpbs

That being said, after migrating it thw VM works fine but I have a question regarding VMware tools and Nutanix Guest tools.
 
1. Is it mandatory to remove the VMware tools from the migrated VM or is it just a “aesthetic” matter?

2. Is it mandaroty to install Nutanix Guest Tools? I mention this cause I wasnt able do to this error when loading the NGT CDROM ISO:​​​

 


 

Thanks

 

 

Best answer by PatrickMaersk

Hi ​@Daniel Martinez,

it's not required to remove VMware tools or install NGT, especially on a "legacy” Operating System.

Of course without NGT you don't have the enhanced VM management capabilities within the Nutanix platform and you're missing out on advanced features such as file-level restore, application-consistent snapshots, and VM mobility, but that shouldn't be a dealbreaker with this VM.

Removing VMware tools is best practice and it can harm the performance of the VM a bit (extra tools require extra resources) but if your VM is running smoothly I wouldn't recommend it (if you do, have a backup of the VM so you can always revert if something fails after removing the VMware tools)

2 replies

P
  • PatrickMaersk
  • Adventurer
  • Answer
  • November 19, 2025

Hi ​@Daniel Martinez,

it's not required to remove VMware tools or install NGT, especially on a "legacy” Operating System.

Of course without NGT you don't have the enhanced VM management capabilities within the Nutanix platform and you're missing out on advanced features such as file-level restore, application-consistent snapshots, and VM mobility, but that shouldn't be a dealbreaker with this VM.

Removing VMware tools is best practice and it can harm the performance of the VM a bit (extra tools require extra resources) but if your VM is running smoothly I wouldn't recommend it (if you do, have a backup of the VM so you can always revert if something fails after removing the VMware tools)

Daniel Martinez
JeroenTielen
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  • JeroenTielen
  • Vanguard
  • November 19, 2025

Yes remove the vmware tools. This is best practice and I've seen "reboot” issues when these tools where still in vm's. 

 

But is also best practice to upgrade EOL Operating Systems ;) lol.

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Daniel Martinez
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