Is VMware Workstation Player Compatible with Hyper-V?

VMware Workstation Player, often referred to simply as VMware Player, and Hyper-V are generally not compatible when run on the same host machine. Both are hypervisors (software for creating and managing virtual machines), but they can interfere with each other due to the way they manage virtualization extensions. This article explores the scenarios in which you can run both, the challenges you might face, and how to resolve common issues.

Understanding Compatibility Issues

Hyper-V, a hypervisor that creates a virtualization layer on Windows, can conflict with VMware products due to their distinct management of virtualization extensions. While both are designed to virtualize hardware resources, they operate at different levels and can compete for resources, leading to compatibility issues. These conflicts can manifest as performance problems, stability issues, and outright failure to start one or the other virtualization solution.

Scenarios for Coexistence

Disabling Hyper-V

One way to resolve conflicts between Hyper-V and VMware Workstation Player is by disabling Hyper-V. This can be done through Windows Features settings or via the command line. To disable Hyper-V using PowerShell, you can run the following commands:

bcdedit /deletevalue hypervisorlaunchtype

This removes the previous setting and allows you to use VMware Workstation Player. A reboot of your Windows OS is necessary to apply the changes.

Using VMware Workstation Pro

VMware Workstation Pro offers a feature that allows it to run simultaneously with Hyper-V, which is not available in VMware Workstation Player. This feature, however, may introduce complexity in managing both virtualization solutions.

Nested Virtualization

Nested virtualization is another scenario where you can run VMware Workstation within a Hyper-V virtual machine, provided your Windows version supports this feature. However, this setup often involves significant complexity and may not provide optimal performance. It is often recommended to choose one hypervisor over the other for best performance and stability.

Addressing Specific Restriction: VHDX Compatibility

One significant limitation of VMware Workstation is that it does not support VHDX disk files directly. Instead, it supports VHD files. To use VHDX files with VMware Workstation, you must first convert them to VHD format. This conversion process can take some time and involves specific steps:

VHD Disk: Start by using a utility like VHD Conversion Tool available in Hyper-V to convert VHDX to VHD. Convert Options in Hyper-V: Use the Hyper-V management tools to convert your VHDX to VHD.

After the conversion, you can import the VHD file into VMware Workstation as a hard disk.

Solving Common Errors and Conflicts

When starting VMware Workstation, you might encounter the following error message:

VMware Workstation and Hyper-V are not compatible. Remove the Hyper-V role from the system before running VMware Workstation.

This message indicates that the Hyper-V role is installed and is in conflict with VMware Workstation Player. To disable the Hyper-V role, you can run the following command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

A reboot of your Windows OS is necessary to apply the changes. To re-enable the Hyper-V role, use the command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Again, a reboot of your Windows OS is necessary to apply these changes.

By understanding these compatibility issues and adopting the appropriate strategies, you can effectively manage and run both VMware Workstation Player and Hyper-V on the same host machine without facing major conflicts.