PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Create a Virtual Machine with Windows Hyper-V

How to Create a Virtual Machine with Windows Hyper-V

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Check that your edition supports it

    Hyper-V is only available on Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions β€” it is not available by default on Home editions.

  2. Turn on the Hyper-V feature

    Open "Turn Windows features on or off" from the Control Panel, check the "Hyper-V" box, click OK, and restart your PC.

  3. Open Hyper-V Manager

    After restarting, search for "Hyper-V Manager" in the Start menu and open it.

  4. Create a virtual switch

    In the Virtual Switch Manager on the right, create a new virtual switch and choose how your virtual machine will connect to the internet (external, internal, or private).

  5. Run the New Virtual Machine wizard

    Select "New > Virtual Machine" and follow the wizard through naming it, allocating memory, connecting the virtual switch you created, creating a virtual hard disk, and pointing to the ISO file of the operating system you want to install.

  6. How it compares to VMware and VirtualBox

    Hyper-V is built into Windows and free to use, but running it alongside other virtualization software like VirtualBox at the same time can cause conflicts, so it is best to pick one based on your needs.

Test a virtual environment without installing extra software

Whether you want to safely test a new program before installing it on your real system, or you need to run a different version of Windows alongside your main one, Hyper-V lets you build a virtual machine using only what is already built into Windows.

Getting the most out of your PC's built-in tools

Beyond virtualization, taking time to learn the productivity and security features already built into your operating system β€” rather than reaching for third-party software first β€” often solves the problem more simply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning on Hyper-V slow down my computer?

Leaving Hyper-V enabled has little effect on everyday use, but it can conflict with certain other virtualization programs or anti-cheat systems in some games, which is why many users only enable it when they need it.

Do I need to change anything in the BIOS?

Yes β€” your motherboard's BIOS needs to have virtualization technology (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) enabled for Hyper-V to work properly.