Configuring Hyper-V on Windows 10 and 11
Microsoft's Hyper-V hypervisor is a powerful tool that enables users to create and manage an array of virtual machines on Windows systems. This guide provides a detailed overview of how to install and utilize Hyper-V on Windows 10 and 11.
What do I need to run Hyper-V?
Hyper-V is primarily utilized in Windows server environments but is also available in the Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10 and 11. This virtualization platform supports various guest operating systems, including most Windows versions and numerous Linux and BSD distributions. For a complete list of compatible guest OS options, users are encouraged to visit the Microsoft website. To successfully run Hyper-V, your system must have virtualization support and at least 4GB of RAM. Generally, any PC manufactured within the last five years will meet these requirements, and many older models may also be suitable. To verify compatibility, open a PowerShell terminal and enter system info to generate a report detailing your hardware and settings; Hyper-V requirements will be listed at the bottom.
Enabling Hyper-V on Windows 10 and 11
Hyper-V is not pre-installed with Windows. To incorporate it into your standard installation, navigate to the Control Panel tool titled Turn Windows features on or off. You can locate this tool by searching for its name in the Start menu. Upon opening, a list of optional features will be displayed; those with ticks or blocks indicate installed components, while empty boxes signify features available for installation. Some options may also feature “plus” icons, indicating multiple installable components.
To install Hyper-V, simply check the main box next to Hyper-V—it will appear as a square block on Windows 10 or a tick on Windows 11—and click OK. The necessary files will be installed in under a minute, after which you will be prompted to reboot your computer. Following the restart, the full Hyper-V virtualization product will be ready for use, with features and settings consistent across all Windows versions.
Setting up a new VM with Hyper-V
The installation process above also includes the Hyper-V Manager console, which facilitates the creation, configuration, and management of virtual machines. Additionally, it installs the Hyper-V Quick Create tool, designed for easy VM setup.
To access Quick Create, type its name into the Start menu. Upon opening the tool, you will see five default environments listed in the left pane. The MSIX packaging environment, based on Windows 10 Enterprise, assists developers in updating application installers. The other four options include three long-term support (LTS) releases of Ubuntu Linux and a time-limited Windows 11 environment for lightweight development and testing.
To set up any of these operating systems, simply click on your choice. Alternatively, below the default operating systems pane, you will find a button labeled Local installation source; clicking this allows you to select an ISO, VHD, or VHDX image containing your desired OS installer. After making your selection, click Create Virtual Machine. The Quick Create tool will then download the necessary installation media and establish a new VM or configure a default environment using your provided image.
