Installing a Virtual Machine on a Windows Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide

If you are looking to run multiple operating systems on a single Windows laptop, you will need to install a virtual machine (VM). This guide will walk you through the process for different versions of Windows, from Windows 10 Home to Pro and Enterprise editions.

Installing a Virtual Machine with VMware Workstation

To start, you need a virtualisation software like VMware Workstation. This powerful tool allows you to install and manage virtual machines with ease. Here’s how to proceed:

Download and Install VMware Workstation: Visit the VMware website and download the appropriate version of VMware Workstation for your operating system (Windows in this case). Create a Virtual Machine: Open VMware Workstation and select the option to create a new virtual machine from the welcome screen. Follow the wizard to specify the type and version of the OS you want to run in your virtual machine. Configure Your VM: Configure the virtual hardware settings, such as the amount of RAM and the virtual hard disk size, to meet your needs. Start and Boot the VM: Once configured, start the virtual machine and boot it from the ISO file or installation media of the OS you want to run.

Using Open-Source Hypervisors with Windows 10 Home Edition

If you are using Windows 10 Home Edition, you are limited to open-source or open-to-source (OTS) hypervisors due to Windows 10 Home’s lack of natively supported virtualisation technology.

VBox (VirtualBox) is a popular and reliable hypervisor that is free of cost. Here’s how to set it up:

Download VirtualBox: Visit the VirtualBox website to download the latest version for Windows. Install VirtualBox: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Create a New Virtual Machine: Open VirtualBox and create a new virtual machine using the wizard. Choose the type of OS and then proceed with configuration steps like setting up the RAM and hard disk. Start and Boot the VM: Launch the virtual machine and start the installation process using the ISO disk or other installation media.

Enabling Hyper-V with Windows Pro and Enterprise Editions

If you are running Windows Pro or Enterprise Editions, you have the advantage of using the built-in Hyper-V feature. Here is how you can enable it:

Enable Hyper-V: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Check the box for Hyper-V and then restart your laptop to install the feature. Open Hyper-V Manager: After the restart, open Hyper-V Manager from the Windows Start menu. Use it to manage the virtual machines. Create a New VM: Use the Hyper-V Manager to create a new virtual machine, configure it, and start it.

Recommendations for Best Performance

VirtualBox, while being a great choice for open-source hypervisors, is a type 2 hypervisor, which might not provide the best performance. For better performance, especially if you are working with resource-intensive applications, consider VMware Workstation.

VMware Workstation: VMware Workstation Pro is a powerful tool for professionals that offers excellent performance and a wide range of features. VirtualBox: VirtualBox is an excellent open-source choice if you don’t need the advanced features of VMware Workstation.

By following these steps, you can successfully install and run virtual machines on your Windows laptop, whether you are using Windows Home, Pro, or Enterprise editions.