Looking to set up a virtual machine on your Windows 10 PC? With Windows 10 pro, there is a way to do that. This article describes how to setup Virtual Machine on a Windows 10 computer by using Hyper-V service within the operating system.
NOTE: Hyper V is not available on Windows 10 Home.
Here is how to set up the virtual machine using Hyper-V:
1. Open up Control Panel by clicking on the search box in the taskbar, or clicking the Start button and begin typing Control Panel. From the list of search results, click on the Control Panel App.
2. From the Control Panel window, click on Programs, then Turn Windows Features on or off.
3. Put the check mark next to Hyper-V, then click OK.
A window will appear for searching for required files, then it will change to Applying changes. Click on Restart now.
4. Once restarted back into Windows, click on Cortana / search box like we did prior. Type Hyper-V into the box and then click on Hyper-V Manager app which should be at the top of the list.
5. On the left side of the window, click on your computer listed below Hyper-V Manager. Click on Action, then Virtual Switch Manager.
6. Click on Create Virtual Switch on the right side of the pop-up window.
7. Make sure that External network has a dot next to it. Click on OK.
8. A window will appear with a warning about Pending changes may disrupt network connectivity. Put a check in the box to Please don’t ask me again and click on Yes. It will apply the changes to your computer.
9. Click on Action on the menu for Hyper-V Manager, hover on New, and click on Virtual Machine.
10. A new window will appear. Click on Next. You can provide a name for your Virtual Machine and then click on Next.
11. Make sure the dot is in Generation 1. This allows you to use 64-bit and 32-bit operating system and hardware. Click Next.
12. Leave the Startup memory to the default settings and verify the check mark is in for Use Dynamic Memory for this Virtual machine. Click on Next.
13. Click on the down arrow next to Not Connected and select default switch. Click Next.
14. Make sure the dot is in for Create a virtual hard disk. Click Finish.
15. Under the middle column for Virtual Machines, right click on the New Virtual Machine that is listed. It should be currently set to off. Click Start.
16. Click on Action and then Connect. The virtual machine window will appear.
