How to Install Windows 11 in Hyper-V

Hyper-V is a powerful built-in virtual machine software in Windows. Here is how to install Windows 11 in Hyper-V in simple & easy steps.

Windows Pro and Enterprise editions come with a built-in virtualization software called Hyper-V. As most of you know, though free, Hyper-V is a pretty powerful and easy-to-use software to create virtual machines. It allows you to configure and use the virtual machine like a physical computer.

Using it, you can install and try any supported operating system. For example, you can install Windows 11, Windows 10, any flavor of Linux, etc., in Hyper-V with just a few clicks.

This straightforward guide shows you how to install Windows 11 in Hyper-V virtual machine software.

Table of contents:

• Requirements
• Install Windows 11 in Hyper-V

The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.

Requirements

To create the Windows 11 virtual machine using Hyper-V, your computer should meet specific requirements. They are as follows:

• Your computer should support secure boot and TPM v2.
• At least 64GB of hard disk space.
• You should be running Windows Pro or Enterprise edition.
• Should be able to assign at least 4GB RAM to the Windows 11 virtual machine in Hyper-V. Ideally, your physical computer should have 8GB or more RAM.
• Compatible graphics card with DirectX12 or higher with WDDM 2.0 or higher driver support.
• At least 720p display resolution.
• You should already have a Windows 11 ISO (instructions to download Windows 11 ISO).
• Enable Hyper-V in Windows.

Install Windows 11 in Hyper-V

Follow the below steps to install Windows 11 in Hyper-V virtual machine software.

1. Press the “Start” key.
2. Search and open “Hyper-V Manager.”
3. Select host computer on the sidebar.
4. Choose “Action > New > Virtual Machine.”
5. Click “Next” in the “Before you begin” screen.
6. Type a name in the “Name” field.
7. (Optional) Select the “Store the virtual machine in a different location” checkbox.
8. (Optional) Click “Browse.”
9. (Optional) Choose a drive or folder and click “Select Folder.”
10. Press the “Next” button.
11. Choose “Generation 2” and press “Next.”
12. Set “Startup memory” to “4096” MB or higher.
13. Press “Next.”
14. Choose “Default Switch” from the “Connection” dropdown.
15. Click “Next.”
16. Ensure “Create a virtual hard disk” is selected.
17. Press “Next.”
18. Select the “Install an operating system from a bootable image file” radio option.
19. Press the “Browse” button.
20. Find, select the Windows 11 ISO, and press “Open.”
21. Press “Next.”
22. Click the “Finish” button.
23. Press “Start” on the right sidebar.
24. Double-click on the virtual machine on the center panel.
25. You can proceed with Windows 11 installation.
26. With that, you have successfully created Windows 11 virtual machine in Hyper-V.

Steps with more details:

First, open Hyper-V. You can search for “Hyper-V Manager” in the Start menu.

After opening Hyper-V, select the host computer on the sidebar. Next, choose the “Action > New > Virtual Machine” option.

This will open the virtual machine wizard. Click the “Next” button to start the process.

Type a name for the virtual machine in the “Name” field. This is the name that appears in Hyper-V and File Explorer.

(Optional) By default, Hyper-V saves VM files in the C drive. However, this can reduce space for the host OS and applications. So, it is recommended that you choose another drive. Select the “Store the virtual machine in a different location” checkbox.

(Optional) Next, click the “Browse” button.

(Optional) Choose a drive or folder and click the “Select Folder” button.

Press the “Next” button to continue.

Choose the “Generation 2” radio option and press the “Next” button. Choosing this option is mandatory to install Windows 11 in Hyper-V.

Assign at least 4096MB (4GB) of memory, select the “Use dynamic memory for this virtual machine” checkbox, and press “Next.”

Select “Default Switch” from the “Connection” dropdown menu. This option allows the network connection.

Ensure the “Create a virtual hard disk” option is selected and press the “Next” button. Optionally, you can modify the hard disk size using the “Size” field. Remember that you should assign at least 64Gb.

Choose the “Install and operating system from a bootable image file” radio option. Click the “Browse” button.

Select the Windows 11 ISO file and press “Open.”

Click “Next” to continue.

Press the “Finish” button.

Select the virtual machine in the center panel and click “Start” on the right sidebar.

Next, double-click the virtual machine in the center panel.

This should start and launch the VM. You can now proceed with installing Windows 11 following the on-screen wizard.

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That is all. It is that simple to create a Windows 11 virtual machine with Hyper-V.

I hope this simple and easy Windows 11 how-to guide helped you.

If you are stuck or need some help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.