How to Enable Hyper-V in Windows 10?
If you are using Windows 10 and want to enable Hyper-V on Windows 10 then this helps you. Here you will learn how to enable it on Windows 10 Professional and even what to do with Windows 10 editions that don’t have the feature.
Hyper-V is one of the best virtualization software that was released for the first time on Windows 8. Even though the beta version was released on Windows Server 2008, and the full version was released on Windows Server 2012 R2.
With the release of Windows 8.1, there were many features that changed the Hyper-V experience entirely. New features as Enhanced session mode, enabling high fidelity graphics for connections to VM’s using RDP protocol, USB redirection, and much more.
You can also use the same method to enable your Hyper-V on Windows Servers too.
Related: Download BlueStacks for Hyper-V by Direct Links
How to Enable Hyper-V on Windows 10?
For enabling the feature, we have separated them into sections. Follow the sections and by the end, you will have what you wanted.
Prerequisites
Before you start the procedure, make sure you have the following, as they are a must:
Installed Windows 10 Professional on your system. You can enable Hyper-V on Windows 10 Home, as there is no Hyper-V on Windows 10 Home. For Windows 10 Home, you will need to download Windows 10 Home.
64-bit processor with second-level address translation (SLAT)
You will also need to possess 4 GB RAM as a minimum, having 8 GB will be better.
There is also a need for an ISO Image of the OS that you want to use. It can be Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, or any Linux distribution.
The virtualization feature should be enabled in BIOS. There is more about enabling virtualization from BIOS at the bottom.
Check for Requirement
You will need to check either you have all the requirements for running the Hyper-V too. for that follow these steps:
Go to Start and type CMD. Now, run CMD as Administrator.
Inside the CMD, you will need to type “systeminfo” and press Enter on your keyboard. Then you will need to navigate to the Hyper-V requirement section. There you will find the following:
- VM Monitor Mode Extensions
- Virtualization enabled in firmware
- Second level address translation
- Data execution prevention
If you got Yes for all of them, then you can continue. Normally, you will find Virtualization enabled in firmware: NO and it is no big deal. We will do that in the next section.
Enable the Hyper-V and set up Virtualization feature
Take the first step by restarting your system. Once your system starts to boot, press F12 to enter BIOS settings.
Related: How to Enable Virtualization in BIOS?
In BIOS settings, you will need to find the Security section and enable the virtualization. Save changes and exit the BIOS.
The system will restart again.
Go to the Start menu, and type “Windows features On or Off” and open it.
Inside the Turn Windows On or Off, you will find the Hyper-V section. Check all the boxes and click on Ok.
It is the best practice to restart your system if you want your system to make changes. However, still, there are systems that don’t need a restart to bring the changes.
Enable Hyper-V with CMD or PowerShell
An alternative way to enabling Hyper- V is to use Hyper-V with CMD or PowerShell. For these methods, you will need to enable Hyper-V in BIOS first. Then you will need to run CMD or PowerShell as Administrator.
For CMD you will need to type:
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-VHere the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool) will enable the feature and for PowerShell use this command:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V –AllIf you want to use Hyper-V Tools on your Windows Server, then you will need to use the command below in PowerShell:
Add-WindowsFeature rsat-Hyper-V-toolsRelated: Should I Enable Virtualization for BlueStacks?
Create VM (virtual machine) on Hyper-V
Run Hype-V.
In Hyper-V Manager, click on Action > New >Virtual Machine.
View the Before you being content and click on Next.
Name your virtual machine and click on Next.
Specify the location of your virtual machine and click on Next.
Select the generation of your VM (chose Generation 1) and click on Next.
Select the amount of RAM for your VM and click on Next.
Configure Networking wizard in the Select a virtual switch for virtual machine window and click on Next.
Here you will need to specify the properties of your virtual drive’s name, location (try to use default), and specify size. Once all the properties are configured click on Next.
In this step, you will need to select the ISO image of the OS that you want to use as a guest OS. click on Install an operating system from a bootable image file, select the OS and click on Next.
There will be three options for the installation of OS:
- Install an operating system later – makes no additional modification to the virtual machine.
- Install an operating system from a bootable image file – similar to inserting a CD into the physical CD-ROM drive of a physical computer. To configure this option, select an .iso image. This image will be mounted to the virtual CD-ROM drive of the virtual machine. The boot order of the virtual machine is changed to boot first from the CD-ROM drive.
- Install an operating system from a network-based installation server – not available unless you’ve connected the virtual machine to a network switch. In this configuration, the virtual machine attempts to boot from the network.
Again review the properties of your VM and click on Finish.
Create virtual network switch
While creating a VM, you will also experience a stage where you will be asked to create a virtual network switch. Here is how to create a virtual switch on Hyper-V.
Run Hyper-V Manager.
Right-click on Hyper-V Host and select Virtual Switch Manager.
Click on New virtual network switch.
Soon you will be placed to What type of virtual switch you want to create? window. You will need to select External.
Now click on Create Virtual Switch.
In Virtual Switch Properties, click on External VM Switch.
On Connection Type, select External Network.
This step will connect your VM to the internet. Make sure you have selected Physical Network Card is paired.
Here you will need to click on Apply to create the VM.
A warning will appear, click on Yes, and in the next step click on OK.
Related: How to Fix BlueStacks Error on Hyper-V?
Disable Hyper-V on Windows 10
For those who want to disable the Hyper-V, they can do it in Turn Windows features On or Off. Navigate to the Hyper-V section and uncheck all the boxes and click on OK.
Disable Hyper-V with CMD or PowerShell
First, you will need to run CMD or PowerShell as administrator. There you will need to use the following command:
Power shell
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V –AllCMD (command prompt)
DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-VIf you are experiencing issues with Hyper-V like BlueStacks can’t run while Hyper-V is enabled, then you fix it. If you don’t like the application at all, then you can use alternatives as VMware Workstation or Player, or VirtualBox.
