How to Create a Virtual Machine in Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

By / November 7, 2025

If you’ve ever wanted to run another operating system — like Linux, an older version of Windows, or even test software in a sandbox — then creating a virtual machine (VM) is your best solution.

A virtual machine lets you simulate another computer inside your existing Windows 10 PC, allowing you to run multiple operating systems without affecting your main setup.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to create a virtual machine in Windows 10, including using Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and VMware Workstation Player.

Table of Contents

🧠 What Is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based environment that emulates a physical computer. It has its own virtual hardware — such as CPU, RAM, hard disk, and network adapter — all managed by virtualization software called a hypervisor.

In simpler terms, a virtual machine lets you:

  • Run another operating system (like Linux or Windows 11) inside Windows 10.

  • Test software safely without risking your real system.

  • Create isolated environments for development, security testing, or IT management.

💡 Why Create a Virtual Machine in Windows 10?

There are countless reasons to use a VM. Here are the most common ones:

Purpose Description
🧪 Testing Software Safely install and test programs without affecting your main PC.
🧰 Running Multiple OS Run Linux, macOS, or another Windows version alongside Windows 10.
🔒 Enhanced Security Use VMs to open suspicious files or browse securely in an isolated environment.
💻 Developer Sandbox Ideal for developers who need to test different configurations.
🕹️ Legacy Software Run old applications that don’t work on Windows 10 natively.

Now, let’s explore the tools you can use to create a VM.

🧩 What You Need Before Creating a Virtual Machine

Before you begin, make sure your computer meets these basic requirements:

✅ Minimum Requirements for Virtualization

  • Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education (Hyper-V requires these editions)

  • 64-bit processor with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)

  • At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)

  • 20 GB or more of free disk space

  • An ISO file of the OS you want to install (e.g., Ubuntu, Windows 11, etc.)

🧭 Check if Virtualization Is Enabled

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Performance tab.

  3. Check the Virtualization field.

    • If it says Enabled, you’re good to go.

    • If Disabled, enable it from your system’s BIOS/UEFI settings.

⚙️ Method 1: How to Create a Virtual Machine Using Hyper-V (Built into Windows 10)

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions include Hyper-V, a powerful built-in virtualization tool.

🪄 Step 1: Enable Hyper-V on Windows 10

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type:

    optionalfeatures

    and press Enter.

  3. In the Windows Features window, scroll down and check:

    • Hyper-V

    • Hyper-V Management Tools

    • Hyper-V Platform

  4. Click OK and let Windows install the components.

  5. Restart your PC when prompted.

💡 Tip: You can also enable Hyper-V using PowerShell with this command:

dism.exe /Online /Enable-Feature:Microsoft-Hyper-V /All

⚙️ Step 2: Open Hyper-V Manager

  1. Press the Windows key, type Hyper-V Manager, and open it.

  2. You’ll see your computer’s name listed on the left panel — that’s your Hyper-V host.

⚙️ Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. In the Actions pane (on the right), click New → Virtual Machine.

  2. The New Virtual Machine Wizard will appear.

  3. Click Next and follow the prompts:

a) Specify Name and Location

  • Enter a name (e.g., Ubuntu VM or Windows 11 Test).

  • Optionally, change the storage location.

b) Specify Generation

  • Generation 1 – For older OS versions (like Windows 7 or 32-bit systems).

  • Generation 2 – For modern OS versions (64-bit only, supports UEFI boot).

💡 If you’re not sure, choose Generation 1 for compatibility.

c) Assign Memory

  • Allocate at least 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended).

  • You can enable Dynamic Memory so the VM uses only what it needs.

d) Configure Networking

  • Select Default Switch to give your VM internet access.

e) Connect Virtual Hard Disk

  • Choose Create a virtual hard disk.

  • Specify size (e.g., 20–60 GB).

f) Install Operating System

  • Select Install an operating system from a bootable image file.

  • Browse and select your ISO file (like Ubuntu or Windows ISO).

  1. Click Finish to create the VM.

⚙️ Step 4: Start and Install the Operating System

  1. In Hyper-V Manager, select your new VM.

  2. Click Connect, then Start.

  3. The VM will boot from the ISO — follow the on-screen steps to install the OS.

Once done, you’ll have a fully functional virtual machine inside Windows 10!

🧰 Method 2: Create a Virtual Machine Using Oracle VirtualBox (Free & Popular)

If you’re running Windows 10 Home (which doesn’t include Hyper-V), you can use VirtualBox — a free and powerful virtualization tool by Oracle.

⚙️ Step 1: Download and Install VirtualBox

  1. Visit the official VirtualBox website.

  2. Download the Windows hosts version.

  3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to install it.

⚙️ Step 2: Launch VirtualBox and Create a New VM

  1. Open VirtualBox.

  2. Click New at the top.

  3. Enter a name for your VM (e.g., Linux Test Environment).

  4. Choose the Type (e.g., Microsoft Windows, Linux) and Version (e.g., Ubuntu 64-bit).

  5. Click Next.

⚙️ Step 3: Allocate Memory (RAM)

  • Assign at least 2 GB (2048 MB) for lightweight systems or 4 GB+ for modern OSes.

  • Avoid allocating more than half your total system RAM.

⚙️ Step 4: Create a Virtual Hard Disk

  1. Choose Create a virtual hard disk now → Create.

  2. Select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) → Next.

  3. Choose Dynamically allocated → Next.

  4. Set disk size (e.g., 50 GB) → Create.

⚙️ Step 5: Mount the ISO and Start Installation

  1. Select your VM and click Settings → Storage.

  2. Under Controller: IDE, click the empty disk icon.

  3. Click the small disk icon on the right → Choose a disk file…

  4. Select your OS ISO file (e.g., Ubuntu.iso).

  5. Click OK.

Now, click Start to launch the VM and begin installing your operating system.

Follow the installation instructions inside the virtual environment — it behaves just like a normal PC.

⚙️ Step 6: Install Guest Additions (Optional but Recommended)

After installing the OS, go to Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image in VirtualBox.
Follow the prompts to install drivers for:

  • Better display resolution

  • Seamless mouse integration

  • Shared clipboard and folder access

🧩 Method 3: Create a Virtual Machine Using VMware Workstation Player

Another excellent free tool for personal use is VMware Workstation Player. It’s known for stability and strong performance.

⚙️ Step 1: Download and Install VMware Workstation Player

  1. Visit VMware’s official site.

  2. Download the Windows version.

  3. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.

⚙️ Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. Open VMware Workstation Player.

  2. Click Create a New Virtual Machine.

  3. Choose Installer disc image file (ISO).

  4. Click Browse, select your OS ISO, and click Next.

⚙️ Step 3: Select Guest Operating System

  • Choose the OS type (e.g., Windows, Linux).

  • Select the correct version and click Next.

⚙️ Step 4: Name and Save Your Virtual Machine

  • Enter a name like Windows 11 Test VM.

  • Choose a storage location for the VM files.

  • Click Next.

⚙️ Step 5: Allocate Disk Space

  • Choose Store virtual disk as a single file for better performance.

  • Allocate at least 40 GB (depending on the OS).

  • Click Next → Finish.

⚙️ Step 6: Adjust VM Settings (Optional)

Before launching:

  1. Select your VM.

  2. Click Edit virtual machine settings.

  3. Adjust CPU cores, memory (RAM), and network settings as needed.

⚙️ Step 7: Install the Guest Operating System

Click Play virtual machine to start.
The VM will boot from the ISO, and you can follow the standard OS installation steps.

Once the setup completes, you’ll have a fully functional virtual environment.

🧰 Method 4: Using Windows Sandbox (for Quick Testing)

If you’re running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise (version 1903 or later), you also have access to Windows Sandbox — a lightweight virtual environment built into Windows.

🪄 Enable Windows Sandbox:

  1. Open the Run dialog (Windows + R) → type:

    optionalfeatures

    and press Enter.

  2. Check Windows Sandbox and click OK.

  3. Restart your PC.

🧩 Launch Sandbox:

  • Type Windows Sandbox in the Start menu and open it.

  • You’ll see a clean Windows environment that resets every time you close it.

This is ideal for testing files or apps temporarily without needing a full virtual machine setup.

⚖️ Hyper-V vs. VirtualBox vs. VMware: Which Should You Use?

Feature Hyper-V VirtualBox VMware Workstation Player
Price Free (Built-in) Free Free (for personal use)
Performance Excellent (native support) Good Excellent
Compatibility Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise only Works on all editions Works on all editions
Ease of Use Moderate Beginner-friendly Beginner-friendly
Snapshot Support Yes Yes Yes
Best For Power users & IT admins Home users Professionals/testers

🧭 Troubleshooting Common VM Issues in Windows 10

1. Virtualization Disabled in BIOS

If you get errors like “VT-x is disabled”, you must enable virtualization in your BIOS/UEFI:

  • Restart your PC → Press Del, F2, or F10 to enter BIOS.

  • Find Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) or AMD-V.

  • Enable it → Save and Exit.

2. Insufficient Memory or Storage

Make sure you allocate at least 2–4 GB RAM and 20–40 GB storage per VM.

3. VM Runs Slow

  • Close unnecessary background apps.

  • Enable hardware acceleration in VirtualBox/VMware.

  • Use SSD storage for better performance.

4. Hyper-V Conflicts with Other Tools

Hyper-V can interfere with VirtualBox and VMware. Disable it if you plan to use third-party software:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Reboot your system.

🧩 Tips for Managing Virtual Machines Efficiently

  • 💾 Take Snapshots before major changes.

  • 🧱 Use Shared Folders to transfer files easily.

  • 🔐 Keep OS updated inside your VM.

  • 🌐 Use Bridged Networking for internet access.

  • 📊 Monitor Performance via Task Manager.

✅ Conclusion

Creating a virtual machine in Windows 10 is easier than it sounds — and incredibly powerful. Whether you use Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or VMware Workstation Player, you can run multiple operating systems, test apps, or create isolated environments safely.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise users → Use Hyper-V (best integration).

  • Windows 10 Home users → Use VirtualBox or VMware Player (free and easy).

  • Need quick isolation? → Use Windows Sandbox.

With a few clicks, you can build your own digital test lab right inside Windows 10 — no extra computer needed.

💬 FAQs About Creating Virtual Machines in Windows 10

1. Can I create a virtual machine in Windows 10 Home?

Yes! You can use VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player — both free and compatible with all Windows 10 editions.

2. Is Hyper-V available in Windows 10 Home?

No. Hyper-V is only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

3. How much RAM should I allocate to a VM?

Allocate at least 2 GB for lightweight OSes and 4 GB or more for modern ones like Windows 11.

4. Can I run multiple virtual machines at once?

Yes, but make sure your PC has enough RAM and CPU cores to handle multiple VMs smoothly.

5. Is it safe to use virtual machines?

Absolutely. VMs are isolated from your main system — perfect for testing apps or browsing safely.

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