Have a Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise? Have a powerful hardware? Then you might be delighted to know that your PC is able to virtualize at no cost! But first you will need to install Hyper-V on your workstation.
Do take note that you will need a SLAT capable CPU to use Hyper-V. To check out if you have a SLAT capable CPU, check out this blog post.
How to install Hyper-V on Windows 8?
- Go to Control Panel –> Programs –> Programs and Features. If you are using Classic Control Panel, it will be Control Panel –> Programs and Features.
- Click on Turn Windows features on or off.
Turn Windows features on or off - Tick all features for Hyper-V as of screenshot below. Click OK button
Tick all Hyper-V features in Windows Features - Windows will proceed to install the required files. After installation, reboot the machine.
Windows Installing Required Files [adrotate banner=”1″]
- Upon completion, Hyper-V Manager and Hyper-V Virtual Machine Connection will be available as tiles from Start menu.
Hyper-V Manager and Virtual Machine Connection - Start Hyper-V Manager.
Hyper-V Manager - As part of good practice, always create virtual switches as it will allow you to set up virtual machines easier. To create virtual switches, click on Virtual Switch Manager in Hyper-V Manager Actions. There are three types of virtual switches to choose. I would personally recommend Internal.
- External – Switch that binds directly to your physical network card.
- Internal – Switch that allows connection between VMs and Host.
- Private – Switch that only allow connection from the VM to Host.
Download the following file for a brief diagram on difference of each virtual switches:[wpdm_file id=2]
- Click Create Virtual Switch. Give it a meaningful name (Eg. Internal Network, VM-Host) and click OK button.
You have successfully installed and configure Hyper-V on your workstation!