Hyper-V is the virtualisation platform built into Windows 11 Pro. It lets you run a second copy of Windows, a Linux server or a test environment in a window on your own PC, without extra software. This guide checks the requirements, shows three ways to turn Hyper-V on, walks through creating your first virtual machine (VM), and explains what licence that VM needs.
| Method | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Features | Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off | Most users |
| PowerShell |
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature as administrator |
Scripts and repeat setups |
| DISM |
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature as administrator |
Technicians and imaging |
What are the requirements for Hyper-V on Windows 11?
Hyper-V on Windows 11 needs the Pro or Enterprise edition, a 64-bit processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), CPU virtualisation support such as Intel VT or AMD-V switched on in the UEFI or BIOS, hardware Data Execution Prevention, and at least 4 GB of RAM. Microsoft states that Hyper-V cannot be installed on Windows 11 Home.
The requirements come from Microsoft's install Hyper-V guide and its system requirements page. Microsoft adds that 4 GB is a minimum and that you need enough memory for the host and every VM you run at the same time.
To check your PC, open Command Prompt and run systeminfo, then scroll to the Hyper-V Requirements section. If every line says Yes, the hardware is ready; if it says a hypervisor has been detected, Hyper-V or another hypervisor is already running.
Advanced nuance: Microsoft notes that if Turn Windows features on or off shows only Windows Hypervisor Platform rather than Hyper-V, the system may not meet the requirements. On a Home PC, that usually means the edition is the problem rather than the hardware.
Can you use Hyper-V on Windows 11 Home?
No, the Hyper-V role cannot be installed on Windows 11 Home, according to Microsoft's Hyper-V documentation, so Home users need to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro first, an in-place edition upgrade that keeps files and apps and makes Hyper-V appear in Windows Features after the restart.
A Windows 11 Home to Pro upgrade key changes the edition in place; the steps are in our guide to upgrading Windows 11 Home to Pro without reinstalling. Our Windows 11 Pro vs Home comparison lists the other Pro-only tools, such as BitLocker and Windows Sandbox.
What we commonly see: users search for Hyper-V "enable scripts" for Home. These are not a supported route, and Microsoft's documentation does not offer one for Home.
How do you enable Hyper-V on Windows 11 Pro?
To enable Hyper-V on Windows 11 Pro, open Control Panel, select Programs, then Programs and Features, choose Turn Windows features on or off, tick Hyper-V and select OK, then restart when prompted, or run Microsoft's documented PowerShell or DISM command as administrator, which enables exactly the same feature and also asks you to restart the PC.
- Switch on virtualisation (Intel VT-x or AMD-V, sometimes called SVM) in the UEFI or BIOS settings if it is off.
- Select Start, search for Control Panel and open it.
- Select Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
- Tick Hyper-V, which includes Hyper-V Platform and Hyper-V Management Tools, and select OK.
- Restart the PC when prompted.
PowerShell, run as administrator:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All
DISM, run as administrator:
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V
Microsoft notes that Hyper-V is built into Windows as an optional feature, so there is no separate download. Cause and effect: once Hyper-V is on, Windows itself runs on top of the hypervisor, which is why some other virtualisation tools behave differently after you enable it.
How do you create a virtual machine in Hyper-V Manager?
To create a VM, open Hyper-V Manager, select your PC in the left pane, choose New > Virtual Machine in the Actions pane, and follow the New Virtual Machine Wizard to set a name, generation, memory, network switch, virtual hard disk and installation media such as an ISO file. Then start the VM and install the operating system.
- Open Hyper-V Manager from Start.
- In the Actions pane, select New > Virtual Machine, then Next.
- Enter a name and storage location.
- On Specify Generation, choose Generation 2; Microsoft recommends it unless you have a specific reason for Generation 1.
- Assign startup memory and decide whether to use Dynamic Memory.
- Select a virtual switch for network access, or skip and add it later.
- Create a new virtual hard disk, or attach an existing .vhdx file.
- Choose Install an operating system from a bootable image file and browse to your ISO, then select Finish.
Hyper-V Manager also offers Quick Create, a shorter wizard where you pick an installation source and Hyper-V fills in common defaults. It is convenient for a quick test machine, while the full wizard gives you control over each setting.
For a Windows 11 guest, Microsoft's Windows 11 requirements page lists VM settings: Generation 2, Secure Boot and TPM enabled, at least 4 GB of memory, at least two virtual processors and 64 GB of disk space. Turn on the virtual TPM in the VM's Security settings before installing. Our guide to getting official Windows 11 media explains where the ISO comes from.
Does a Windows virtual machine need its own licence?
Yes, a Windows virtual machine generally needs its own licence, because the Windows 11 licence terms define a device as a physical or virtual hardware system and allow one installed instance per licence, and they state that to use the software on more than one virtual device you must obtain a separate licence for each instance you run.
In practice, the Windows 11 Pro licence on your physical PC covers the host, not the guests. A Windows 11 VM you plan to keep needs its own key, entered during setup or later in Settings > System > Activation inside the VM.
Advanced nuance: licence terms vary by product, channel and agreement, and organisations with volume licensing may have different virtualisation rights. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Linux distributions follow their own licences.
What we commonly see: a VM activated fine and then reported "not activated" after it was copied to another host or its virtual hardware changed. The VM is treated like a device with new hardware, so check the activation troubleshooter or contact support@licencehouse.com with the error code.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hyper-V free on Windows 11 Pro?
Yes, Hyper-V is included in Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise as an optional Windows feature at no additional charge, and there is nothing extra to download. You only turn it on in Windows Features or with PowerShell. Operating systems you install inside virtual machines may still need their own licences.
Why is Hyper-V missing from Windows Features?
Hyper-V is usually missing because the PC runs Windows 11 Home, which cannot install the Hyper-V role. If you run Pro and still see only Windows Hypervisor Platform, the processor may lack SLAT or virtualisation may be switched off in the UEFI. Run systeminfo and check the Hyper-V Requirements lines.
Can I run Hyper-V and VirtualBox or VMware at the same time?
When Hyper-V is on, Windows runs on the Hyper-V hypervisor, so other virtualisation products must work alongside it or through the Windows Hypervisor Platform. Support depends on the product and its version. Check the other vendor's documentation, and turn Hyper-V off if a tool you rely on does not support it.
How much RAM do I need for Hyper-V virtual machines?
Microsoft lists 4 GB as the minimum for the Hyper-V host and advises that more is better. You need enough memory for Windows itself plus every VM running at once. A Windows 11 guest needs at least 4 GB on its own, so add that to what the host already uses.
Can I use my host Windows key inside a virtual machine?
No, a single Windows licence covers one installed instance on one device, physical or virtual, according to the Windows 11 licence terms. The key that activates your host PC is in use there. A Windows VM you keep needs a separate licence, such as a Windows 11 Pro key activated inside the VM.