Have you ever tried running VirtualBox, VMware, or an Android emulator on your Windows 11 PC, only to see strange errors or performance issues? Chances are, Hyper-V is the reason.
Hyper-V is Microsoft’s built-in virtualization feature that allows you to run virtual machines natively. While it’s powerful for IT professionals, it often interferes with third-party virtualization apps, gaming performance, and certain drivers.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about disabling Hyper-V in Windows 11 — from why you might want to turn it off, to multiple methods (Settings, Command Prompt, PowerShell, BIOS/UEFI), and troubleshooting tips.
What Is Hyper-V in Windows 11?
Hyper-V is Microsoft’s hardware-based virtualization platform. It allows you to create and manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) on your computer. These VMs can run different operating systems — Linux, older versions of Windows, or even Windows Server.
Think of Hyper-V as a “PC inside your PC.”
By default, Hyper-V comes pre-installed in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. However, it’s not available in Windows 11 Home (unless manually enabled).
Why Disable Hyper-V?
While Hyper-V is useful, there are several reasons you might want to turn it off:
-
🚫 Compatibility issues: Many apps like VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and Android emulators (Bluestacks, Nox, LDPlayer) don’t work when Hyper-V is enabled.
-
🎮 Gaming performance: Some games experience stutters or anti-cheat conflicts due to virtualization.
-
⚡ System performance: Hyper-V reserves system resources for virtualization, even if you’re not using it.
-
🛠 Driver issues: Certain GPU drivers and hardware utilities work better with Hyper-V disabled.
Check If Hyper-V Is Enabled
Before disabling, let’s confirm if Hyper-V is active:
-
Press Windows + R, type
msinfo32, and hit Enter. -
Look for:
-
Hyper-V Requirements section.
-
If it says “A hypervisor has been detected”, Hyper-V is enabled.
-
Alternatively, run this in Command Prompt:
Look for Hyper-V details at the bottom.
Method 1: Disable Hyper-V via Windows Features
The simplest way is through Windows Features.
-
Press Windows + R, type:
and hit Enter.
-
In the Windows Features dialog box, scroll down.
-
Uncheck Hyper-V.
-
Also uncheck:
-
Windows Hypervisor Platform
-
Virtual Machine Platform
-
Windows Sandbox (optional)
-
-
Click OK and restart your PC.
👉 This completely removes Hyper-V and related components.
Method 2: Disable Hyper-V Using Command Prompt
For a faster method:
-
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
-
Run the following command:
-
Restart your PC.
This command disables all Hyper-V components at once.
Method 3: Disable Hyper-V with PowerShell
-
Open PowerShell as Administrator.
-
Run this command:
-
Restart your computer.
Method 4: Disable Hyper-V Using Registry Editor
⚠️ Advanced method — use carefully.
-
Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
-
Find EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity and set its value to 0.
-
Restart your PC.
👉 This disables Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) that relies on Hyper-V.
Method 5: Disable Hyper-V in BIOS/UEFI
If Hyper-V still starts after disabling via Windows, you may need to disable virtualization at the BIOS level.
-
Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing DEL, F2, F10, or ESC).
-
Look for settings under:
-
Advanced, CPU Configuration, or Security.
-
Names to look for:
-
Intel VT-x / Intel Virtualization Technology
-
AMD-V (SVM Mode)
-
-
-
Set them to Disabled.
-
Save changes and restart.
Method 6: Use BCDEdit to Turn Off Hyper-V Launch
Another effective method is editing the boot configuration.
-
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
-
Run:
-
Restart your PC.
👉 This stops the Hyper-V hypervisor from launching at startup.
To re-enable later:
How to Re-Enable Hyper-V in Windows 11
If you want to enable Hyper-V again:
-
Use Windows Features → Check Hyper-V.
-
Or run:
-
Or PowerShell:
Common Issues After Disabling Hyper-V
-
❌ VMs not starting: You’ll lose access to Hyper-V virtual machines.
-
❌ Windows Sandbox missing: Sandbox requires Hyper-V.
-
❌ Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) errors: WSL2 depends on Hyper-V.
👉 If you need these features, consider leaving Hyper-V enabled.
Alternative to Disabling Hyper-V: Windows Sandbox & WSL
If you need Hyper-V for certain tasks but also want to run VMware or VirtualBox, you can:
-
Use Windows Sandbox for safe testing.
-
Switch VirtualBox to Hyper-V mode (latest versions support it, but with limited performance).
-
Use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) as an alternative to full VMs.
Conclusion
Disabling Hyper-V in Windows 11 is simple and can resolve many compatibility issues, especially for developers, gamers, and anyone using third-party virtualization apps.
You can disable it through Windows Features, Command Prompt, PowerShell, Registry Editor, or even BIOS/UEFI. The best method depends on whether you want a quick temporary fix (BCDEdit) or a full removal (Windows Features).
Just remember: turning off Hyper-V means losing access to features like Windows Sandbox and WSL2. Choose based on your needs.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to disable Hyper-V in Windows 11?
Yes, it’s safe. The only downside is losing virtualization features like Hyper-V Manager, Sandbox, and WSL2.
2. How do I know if Hyper-V is enabled?
Run msinfo32 → If it says “A hypervisor has been detected,” Hyper-V is active.
3. Does disabling Hyper-V improve gaming performance?
Yes, in some cases. Games and emulators may run smoother when Hyper-V is disabled.
4. Can I disable Hyper-V on Windows 11 Home?
Hyper-V isn’t enabled by default on Windows 11 Home, so you usually don’t need to disable it.
5. How do I re-enable Hyper-V later?
Go to Windows Features → Check Hyper-V, or use Command Prompt:
✅ Key Takeaway: If you’re facing issues with VMware, VirtualBox, or gaming on Windows 11, disabling Hyper-V can be the solution. Use the method that best fits your needs, and re-enable it when you need Microsoft’s virtualization features again.