How To Enable Hyper-V On Windows?

Until a few years ago, dual-boot systems were very famous among enthusiasts in order to run different operating systems on a single machine. However, virtualization soon became a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional dual boot setups. Using virtualization software like VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V, you can install a “guest” operating system inside a virtual machine that runs on top of the “host” operating system. While both VMware and VirtualBox are third-party software (the former is paid while the latter is free and open-source), the Hyper-V is built right into Windows. The next question you might have is, “How to enable Hyper-V on Windows?”

In this beginner’s guide, let us see multiple ways to enable Hyper-V on Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems. In the process, we will also see the basic requirements (both in terms of hardware and software) for enabling Hyper-V.

What Is Hyper-V? 

Hyper-V is a virtualization platform developed by Microsoft. Using Hyper-V, you can create and manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical computer. Unlike software-based virtualization solutions, Hyper-V operates directly through the computer’s hardware (using a Hypervisor layer that interacts with the physical system). This hardware-based approach of Hyper-V can deliver better performance and stability compared to many software-driven alternatives.

Microsoft introduced Hyper-V in 2008 as part of Windows Server 2008. Over time, it has evolved to become an integral feature in several versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server editions.

Many users (developers, testers, IT professionals, or individuals experimenting with virtual environments on personal computers) enable Hyper-V to run multiple operating systems on a single machine without the need for additional physical hardware.

By virtualizing multiple operating systems, you can seamlessly switch between them without the need for shutting down the system (which was the main problem with dual-boot systems). Another advantage of virtual machines in general is you can isolate them from the host system (protects the main OS from viruses, malware, or any kind of modifications). You can create and destroy virtual environments as needed without risking the integrity of the host machine.

Prerequisites For Enabling Hyper-V On Windows

Before you enable Hyper-V, you need to verify that your system meets the necessary requirements. Here are some small but essential things that you need to look out for before using Hyper-V on your Windows machine.

• 64-bit Processor With SLAT: A 64-bit processor that supports Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) is mandatory for Hyper-V. SLAT improves performance by offloading memory management from the hypervisor to the CPU. Modern Intel processors with Intel VT-x technology and AMD processors with AMD-V include SLAT support. The CPU must also support VM Monitor Mode Extensions.
• Enable Virtualization In BIOS: You must enable virtualization technology in the system BIOS for Hyper-V to function. This feature (known as Intel VT-x or AMD-V) allows the CPU to support virtualization operations. Access the BIOS during system startup to activate this setting.
• 4 GB Or More RAM: A minimum of 4 GB of RAM is necessary for Hyper-V, though more is recommended for better performance. Many users find that 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM improves overall performance when managing several VMs.
• Edition Of Windows: Hyper-V is only available on certain editions of Windows. Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 fully support Hyper-V, while the Home edition lacks this feature. Hyper-V also comes built into Windows Server editions. Note that Hyper-V operates only on 64-bit versions of Windows.

How To Enable Virtualization In BIOS/UEFI Settings?

To enable virtualization in BIOS or UEFI (or check if it is disabled), restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI menu. You can typically access this menu by pressing a specific key, such as F2, Delete, or Esc, during the boot-up process (each manufacturer has its own key).

Once inside the BIOS or UEFI menu, navigate to the section that lists CPU settings. Look for options labeled “Intel VT-x,” “Intel Virtualization Technology,” or “AMD-V.” If it is already enabled, you are good to go. However, if you see that these settings are disabled, you will need to enable them.

Select the option and change the setting to “Enabled.” After making this change, save the settings and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will reboot, and you are now ready to enable Hyper-V.

How To Enable Hyper-V On Windows?

Method 1: Using Windows Features (Control Panel)

The first method of enabling Hyper-V is through the “Windows Features” menu. This is a simple and intuitive way to activate Hyper-V without the need for any command-line tools.

• Begin by opening the Control Panel. You can access this by clicking the Start menu and typing “Control Panel” in the search bar.
• After launching the Control Panel, navigate to “Programs” and select the option labeled “Turn Windows features on or off.” These steps work if the view is “Category”. If the view is either “Large icons” or “Small icons”, navigate to “Programs and Features” and click on the “Turn Windows features on or off” option from the left side bar.
• As the name suggests, this option allows you to modify (enable or disable) features that are built into the Windows operating system.
• In the Windows Features window, you will see a list of various services and tools. Scroll down until you find “Hyper-V.”

• When you locate it, check the box next to “Hyper-V.” After selecting Hyper-V, click the small plus (+) symbol to expand its options. You will notice two additional components: “Hyper-V Management Tools” and “Hyper-V Platform.” Make sure that both these components are active for Hyper-V to function correctly. After selecting everything, click “OK.”
• Windows will now begin installing the required components. The installation process will take a few moments. Once completed, Windows will prompt you to restart your system. Click “Restart” to reboot your computer and finalize the installation of Hyper-V.

Method 2: Using Windows Features (Settings App)

There’s another way to bring up the “Windows Features” windows (through the Settings app on Windows 11).

• Click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar. Select Settings from the Start menu, or press Windows + I on your keyboard to open it directly.
• In the Settings window, look at the left-hand side panel and click on System. In the System section, scroll down and select Optional Features.
• Under Optional Features, scroll down and look for the “More Windows features” option under Related settings. Click on it to open the Windows Features window.
• Once the Windows Features window opens, you can select Hyper-V from the list to enable it.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

If you prefer using command-line tools, PowerShell is a fast and efficient way to enable Hyper-V. You need administrative privileges to run the necessary commands.

• First, open PowerShell as an administrator. To do this, right-click the Start Menu and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or Terminal (Admin) from the options.
• Once PowerShell is open, type the following command: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All
• This command will trigger the installation process for Hyper-V.
• The “-All” parameter enables all necessary components (Hyper-V Management Tools and Platform) automatically.
• After pressing Enter, PowerShell will begin installing Hyper-V on your system.
• The installation process may take a few minutes. Once completed, PowerShell will notify you that the system requires a reboot to apply the changes.
• To finish the process, restart your computer by typing shutdown /r in PowerShell or using the standard Windows restart option. After the reboot, Hyper-V will be ready to use.

Method 4: Using DISM

For those familiar with command-line tools, DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) is another method to enable Hyper-V. DISM works well if you prefer using the Command Prompt instead of PowerShell. Like PowerShell, you will need administrative access.

• To begin, click on the Start button or press the Windows key and start typing “cmd” or “command prompt”. From the results, click “Run as administrator.”
• Once the Command Prompt window is open, type the following command: DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V
• This command instructs DISM to enable Hyper-V, along with all the related features required for it to function properly. After pressing Enter, DISM will begin installing Hyper-V.
• After the installation finishes, restart your computer by typing shutdown /r in the Command Prompt or using the normal Windows restart option. Once the reboot completes, your system will have Hyper-V installed and ready to use.

How To Configure Hyper-V After Installation?

Once you successfully enable and install Hyper-V, the next step is configuring it for your needs.

Open Hyper-V Manager

First, you need to open the Hyper-V Manager. You can quickly locate it by searching for “Hyper-V Manager” in the Start menu. Type the name directly into the search bar, and the application should appear in the results. Click on it to launch the Hyper-V Manager interface.

Once the Hyper-V Manager opens, take a moment to familiarize yourself with its layout. The interface has several key sections, such as the Action pane (create, manage, and configure virtual machines), Center pane (displays all the virtual machines currently set up on your system), and Lower pane (view the details of selected virtual machines).

With the Hyper-V Manager open, you can now begin to create your first virtual machine.

Create Your First Virtual Machine

To create a new virtual machine, click on the “New” option in the Action pane. A drop-down menu will appear and select “Virtual Machine.” This will launch the New Virtual Machine Wizard that will guide you through the setup process.

The wizard will prompt you to enter a name for your virtual machine. Choose a descriptive name that reflects the purpose of the VM. Next, the wizard will ask you to select the generation of the virtual machine. Generation 1 supports 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, while Generation 2 supports UEFI-based 64-bit operating systems only.

After selecting the VM generation, you have to allocate memory. Minimum 4GB memory is recommended for a VM, but you can allocate more depending on your requirements.

Once you allocate memory, you will need to configure disk space for the virtual machine. You can choose to create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one.

Review the summary before clicking “Finish.” After finishing, the Hyper-V Manager will display your newly created virtual machine. The next step is installing an operating system within the VM. To install an operating system, you will need an ISO file or a physical installation disk.

Right-click on the new VM and select “Connect.” In the Virtual Machine Connection window, you can choose the installation media. If using an ISO file, click on “Media” and select “DVD Drive.” From there, browse to the ISO file location. After configuring the media, click “Start” to boot the virtual machine and initiate the OS installation.

Set Up Virtual Networking

Once you install an operating system, the next step is to set up virtual networking. Hyper-V uses virtual switches to manage network connectivity for virtual machines and it supports three types of virtual switches: External (connects VMs to the physical network), Internal (enables communication between virtual machines and the host operating system without internet access), and Private (allows communication solely between virtual machines).

To create a new virtual network switch, open the Hyper-V Manager and navigate to the “Virtual Switch Manager” in the Actions pane. Click on “Virtual Switch Manager,” and the wizard will appear. You can select the type of switch you want to create and then click “Create Virtual Switch.” Fill in the required fields, such as the name and type of switch, before clicking “OK” to finalize the setup.

After creating the switch, you must assign it to your virtual machines. Right-click on a virtual machine and select “Settings.” In the settings menu, find the “Network Adapter” option. From there, you can select the newly created virtual switch from the drop-down menu. Click “OK” to apply the changes.

Alternatives To Hyper-V

While Hyper-V is a robust virtualization platform, it has one major requirement in the form of advanced editions of Windows operating systems (Pro, Enterprise, etc.). If you are on Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home editions, you need to explore other virtualization platforms as Hyper-V isn’t available.

• VMware Workstation: One of the popular choices of virtualization platforms among professional users is VMware Workstation. A key advantage of VMware Workstation is its ability to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single desktop.
• VirtualBox: Developed by Oracle, VirtualBox is another excellent option, especially if you are looking for a free and open-source solution. VirtualBox has strong community support with forums, documentation, and tutorials.
• Parallels Desktop: If you are a Mac user, the Parallels Desktop app allows you to run Windows applications alongside macOS.

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