Virtual machines are the best tools to simulate a graphical system or environment within our PC . For its installation we usually use applications such as VirtualBox. But now Windows 10 has Hyper-V, its own application for creating a virtual machine.
What is Hyper-V?
Hyper-V is a new feature that includes the new versions of Windows and allows you to create virtual machines in the operating system. You can install client-type operating systems or server-type operating systems.
One of the great advantages that Hyper-V offers is the compatibility of virtual machines between different nodes. Being native to Windows, a more efficient use of memory is handled with the use of the virtual machine.
Minimum requirements to use Hyper-V in Windows 10
Although it is made to work perfectly in a Windows environment, installing a virtual machine on a PC depends on various hardware requirements .
- 4 GB of RAM onwards
- Hard disk of at least 100 GB
- Processor 64 – bit with at the least two cores (supporting VT technology)
- Windows 10 Enterprise, Professional or Education version.
How to enable Hyper-V in Windows 10?
To enable Hyper-V on the PC it is necessary to activate it from the Windows features. Click on Windows Start and type Turn Windows Features On and Off. You can locate it in the same way from the Windows menu.
A small window opens where some Windows features are displayed. Look in the list for the Hyper-V option and select the main box or all the related features individually. If the box is selected, it is because Hyper-V is already active.
The installation process begins, which may take a while, but there is no configuration to do, since everything happens automatically. When finished you must restart the PC to work properly.
Use Windows PowerShell
A useful alternative to installing Hyper-V is to do it by command . It cannot be done by Command Prompt, but it can be done by PowerShell.
Right click on the Windows Start icon and select the Windows PowerShell (Administrator) option . It must be the administrator’s profile to make a configuration of this type.
The Windows PowerShell window opens and a command needs to be entered to begin the Hyper-V installation.
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-v –All
The activation process begins, however, it is necessary to confirm the action when it is displayed on the screen, writing the letter Y (Yes).
At the end, it displays a message indicating that it is necessary to restart the system for the installation to be successful. Type Y (Yes) to restart or type N (No) if you want to restart later.
Install a virtual machine on Hyper-V
After Hyper-V is activated on the system, new features appear in the Windows menu. You can search the menu directly by clicking on the Windows icon and typing Hyper-V Manager.
The Hyper-V manager window opens, here it shows all the virtual machines in the list that are installed and the actions that can be performed on them. Select the Action option , then New / Virtual machine.
The wizard asks you to put the name and location on the disk where the virtual machine is to be installed.
Select the generation of the machine. You have two options available which are Generation 1 which is a conventional version and Generation 2 for computers that have a UEFI-based Firmware.
It allocates an amount of RAM to the virtual, so that it only occupies an allocated amount of RAM when the virtual is running. You can also choose to have the RAM allocated dynamically so that it takes the value according to when required.
In the network configurations, only the Default Switch is available , to use the default switch of the PC.
Allocates an amount of disk space to the virtual hard disk creation. You can assign an existing one or create it.
Finally, the installation of the operating system is done with the ISO image of the Operating System . It can also be done with a network server.
Benefits of Using Hyper-V
Hyper-V offers numerous benefits for users looking to harness the power of virtualization. Some of the key advantages include:
- Isolation: Hyper-V provides a secure and isolated environment for running multiple operating systems simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for software developers, testers, and IT professionals who require separate test environments.
- Resource Management: With Hyper-V, you can allocate system resources such as CPU, memory, and disk space to individual virtual machines. This allows for efficient utilization of hardware resources and improved performance.
- Snapshots and Cloning: Hyper-V allows you to take snapshots of virtual machines and revert them back to a previous state in case of errors or issues. Additionally, you can clone virtual machines to create multiple copies quickly.
- Easy Migration: Hyper-V supports easy migration of virtual machines between physical servers, making it convenient for businesses to scale their infrastructure or perform hardware upgrades without disrupting services.
Conclusion
Enabling Hyper-V in Windows 10 opens up a world of possibilities for virtualization and enhances your computing experience by providing isolation, resource management, and other valuable features. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can enable Hyper-V on your Windows 10 system and start exploring the benefits it offers. So, why wait? Unlock the power of virtualization with Hyper-V today and take your Windows 10 experience to the next level!
