If you’re searching for how to disable Hyper-V in Windows 11, you probably have a specific reason. Maybe you’re trying to run another virtualization program, troubleshoot a virtual machine, improve compatibility with an older application, or simply don’t need Microsoft’s built-in virtualization platform anymore.

Whatever your reason, disabling Hyper-V in Windows 11 isn’t difficult—but there’s an important catch.

Hyper-V is connected to several Windows virtualization features. Simply turning off one checkbox may not always completely disable the underlying virtualization components. Features such as Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Sandbox, and memory integrity can also interact with the Windows hypervisor.

In this guide, we’ll walk through several ways to disable Hyper-V safely, starting with the easiest graphical method and moving toward Command Prompt, PowerShell, and more advanced troubleshooting techniques.

We’ll also explain what Hyper-V does, why you might want to disable it, whether disabling it improves gaming performance, and how to turn it back on when you need it again.

Quick Answer: How Do I Disable Hyper-V in Windows 11?

The easiest method is:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type optionalfeatures.
3. Press Enter.
4. Find Hyper-V.
5. Expand it if necessary.
6. Uncheck Hyper-V and its related components.
7. Click OK.
8. Restart your computer.

If Hyper-V-related virtualization remains active, you may also need to disable features such as Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Hypervisor Platform, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish.

For a command-line approach, you can also use an elevated Command Prompt:

DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

Restart Windows after making the change.

What Is Hyper-V in Windows 11?

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s hardware virtualization technology built into supported Windows editions.

It allows your computer to create and run virtual machines.

A virtual machine is essentially a computer inside your computer.

For example, you could use Hyper-V to run:

• Another version of Windows
• Linux
• Development environments
• Testing systems
• Isolated workloads
• Virtual servers

Imagine your physical PC as an apartment building. Hyper-V lets you divide that building into separate apartments, with each virtual machine getting its own isolated environment.

Each virtual machine can have virtual:

• CPU resources
• RAM
• Storage
• Network adapters
• Other hardware components

This is extremely useful for developers, IT professionals, students, and system administrators.

But if you don’t use virtualization, you may have no reason to keep Hyper-V enabled.

Why Would You Want to Disable Hyper-V?

There are several legitimate reasons.

You might want to disable Hyper-V because:

• A virtualization application isn’t behaving as expected.
• You’re troubleshooting a virtual machine.
• You need compatibility with another hypervisor.
• You’re following software requirements that specifically ask for Hyper-V to be disabled.
• You don’t use Windows virtualization features.
• You’re testing software in a different virtualization environment.
• You want to eliminate a virtualization-related variable while troubleshooting.

One particularly common scenario involves running another virtualization platform.

Some virtualization applications can coexist with Hyper-V, while others may behave differently when the Windows hypervisor is active.

That’s why disabling Hyper-V can sometimes be part of virtualization troubleshooting.

Does Disabling Hyper-V Improve Gaming Performance?

This question comes up frequently.

The answer isn’t simply “yes.”

Hyper-V itself is a virtualization technology, and Windows can use the hypervisor for more than traditional Hyper-V virtual machines.

Modern Windows security and virtualization features can also depend on virtualization-based technologies.

So if you’re disabling Hyper-V because you believe it will automatically produce a major FPS improvement, don’t expect a guaranteed result.

Gaming performance depends on many factors, including:

• CPU
• GPU
• RAM
• Storage
• Drivers
• Background applications
• Game engine
• Windows configuration
• Security features
• Power settings

Disabling Hyper-V may be useful for a specific compatibility or troubleshooting scenario, but it isn’t a universal gaming optimization.

Hyper-V vs. Virtual Machine Platform: What’s the Difference?

This distinction is important.

You may see several virtualization-related features in Windows 11:

Feature	Purpose
Hyper-V	Microsoft’s full virtualization platform
Virtual Machine Platform	Provides virtualization support used by certain Windows features
Windows Hypervisor Platform	API/platform support for virtualization software
Windows Sandbox	Creates an isolated Windows environment
Windows Subsystem for Linux	Allows Linux environments to run within Windows
Core isolation	Security features that can use virtualization-based security

These features are related, but they’re not identical.

That’s why disabling the Hyper-V checkbox may not completely eliminate every virtualization component.

Before You Disable Hyper-V

Before changing Windows features, consider what you currently use.

If you rely on:

• Hyper-V virtual machines
• Windows Sandbox
• WSL features
• Certain Android or virtualization environments
• Development tools
• Virtualization-based security

disabling virtualization components could affect them.

If you’re working on an important virtual machine, make sure you have anything important backed up first.

It’s always easier to troubleshoot when you can undo your changes.

Method 1: Disable Hyper-V Using Windows Features

For beginners, this is usually the most straightforward approach.

Step 1: Open the Optional Windows Features Window

Press:

Windows + R

This opens the Run dialog.

Type:

optionalfeatures

Press:

Enter

The Windows Features window should appear.

Step 2: Find Hyper-V

Scroll through the list until you find:

Hyper-V

If the option is available, expand it.

You may see components such as:

• Hyper-V Management Tools
• Hyper-V Platform

The exact presentation can vary between Windows versions and editions.

Step 3: Uncheck Hyper-V

Clear the checkbox next to:

Hyper-V

If Windows shows related Hyper-V components, make sure the components you don’t need are also disabled.

Then select:

OK

Windows will process the change.

Step 4: Restart Your PC

Windows may ask you to restart.

Choose:

Restart now

Don’t skip the restart.

Windows features often require a reboot before the underlying configuration is fully changed.

Method 2: Disable Hyper-V Using Command Prompt

If you’d rather use a command, Windows provides DISM.

DISM stands for:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management

It’s a Windows command-line utility used for managing Windows components and images.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Open Start.

Search for:

Command Prompt

Right-click it.

Select:

Run as administrator

Accept the User Account Control prompt.

Step 2: Disable the Hyper-V Feature

Run:

DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

Press Enter.

Windows will process the request.

You may see progress information while DISM modifies the Windows installation.

Step 3: Restart Windows

After DISM finishes, restart your PC:

shutdown /r /t 0

Alternatively, restart normally through the Start menu.

Method 3: Disable Hyper-V Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides another way to manage optional Windows features.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Open Start.

Search for:

PowerShell

Right-click the appropriate result and select:

Run as administrator

Step 2: Disable Hyper-V

You can use:

Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

Press Enter.

PowerShell will attempt to disable the Hyper-V Windows feature.

Step 3: Restart the Computer

After the command completes, restart Windows.

You can use:

Restart-Computer

Method 4: Disable Hyper-V With BCDEdit

Here’s where things become more advanced.

Sometimes users don’t necessarily need to uninstall or remove the Hyper-V feature. Instead, they want to stop the Windows hypervisor from launching during boot.

For troubleshooting, Windows provides the BCDEdit utility.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Search for Command Prompt.

Choose:

Run as administrator

Step 2: Disable Hypervisor Launch

Run:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Press Enter.

You should receive confirmation that the operation completed successfully.

Step 3: Restart Windows

Restart your PC.

The Windows hypervisor should no longer launch during boot.

How to Turn Hyper-V Back On

What if you disable Hyper-V and later need it again?

No problem.

Open:

optionalfeatures

Find:

Hyper-V

Enable the required components.

Click OK.

Then restart your computer.

If you disabled the hypervisor through BCDEdit, use:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Then restart Windows.

This allows the hypervisor to launch normally again.

How to Check Whether Hyper-V Is Still Running

After disabling Hyper-V, you may want to verify the result.

There are several ways to investigate.

Check System Information

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

msinfo32

Press Enter.

The System Information window will open.

Look for virtualization or Hyper-V-related information.

If Windows reports that a hypervisor has been detected, that indicates the Windows hypervisor may still be active.

Remember that other Windows virtualization-based features can cause the hypervisor to remain relevant even when the traditional Hyper-V management feature isn’t being used.

How to Disable Virtual Machine Platform

If your goal is to completely eliminate certain Windows virtualization layers, you may also need to examine Virtual Machine Platform.

Open:

optionalfeatures

Find:

Virtual Machine Platform

Clear its checkbox if you don’t need it.

Click:

OK

Then restart Windows.

Important

Don’t disable this feature simply because it has the word “virtual” in its name.

Some Windows applications depend on virtualization infrastructure.

If you’re troubleshooting a specific application, follow that application’s documented requirements.

How to Disable Windows Hypervisor Platform

Another related feature is:

Windows Hypervisor Platform

You can find it in the Windows Features window.

Press:

Windows + R

Enter:

optionalfeatures

Then locate:

Windows Hypervisor Platform

Uncheck it if your particular troubleshooting scenario requires it.

Restart the computer afterward.

Again, don’t disable it unnecessarily.

What About Windows Sandbox?

Windows Sandbox provides a temporary isolated Windows environment.

If you’re not using it, you can disable the feature through Windows Features.

Open:

optionalfeatures

Find:

Windows Sandbox

Clear the checkbox.

Then restart Windows.

If you’re trying to completely eliminate virtualization-related features, remember that Sandbox is only one part of the broader Windows virtualization ecosystem.

What About WSL?

Windows Subsystem for Linux, commonly called WSL, allows Windows users to run Linux environments.

Depending on your WSL configuration and Windows version, virtualization-related Windows components may be involved.

If you actively use WSL, be careful about disabling virtualization components.

Otherwise, you could unintentionally disrupt your Linux environment.

Before disabling anything, determine exactly what your application or troubleshooting guide requires.

How to Disable Hyper-V-Related Virtualization for Troubleshooting

Suppose another virtualization application tells you:

“Disable Hyper-V.”

What should you do?

Don’t immediately disable every virtualization feature in Windows.

Instead, identify exactly which component the application requires to be disabled.

A sensible troubleshooting sequence is:

1. Disable Hyper-V.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Test the application.
4. If the problem remains, check whether the application specifically requires other Windows hypervisor components to be disabled.
5. Change additional features only when necessary.
6. Restart and test again.

This approach is better than changing ten Windows settings at once.

Why?

Because if the problem disappears, you’ll know which change actually mattered.

Why Is Hyper-V Still Active After I Disabled It?

This is one of the most confusing parts of Windows virtualization.

You may uncheck Hyper-V and still find that Windows behaves as though virtualization is active.

Why?

Because Hyper-V isn’t the only virtualization-related component in Windows.

Features such as:

• Virtual Machine Platform
• Windows Hypervisor Platform
• Windows Sandbox
• WSL-related virtualization
• Virtualization-based security
• Memory integrity

can interact with Windows’ virtualization architecture.

So the phrase “Hyper-V is disabled” can mean different things depending on what you’re trying to accomplish.

If your goal is specifically to prevent the Windows hypervisor from launching, bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off may be relevant.

If your goal is to remove Hyper-V as a Windows feature, the Windows Features or DISM methods are more appropriate.

How Does Memory Integrity Affect Hyper-V?

Windows Security includes a feature called Memory integrity, which is part of Core isolation.

Memory integrity uses virtualization-based security technology to help protect parts of Windows from certain types of attacks.

You can find it under:

Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation

If you disable memory integrity, you may reduce some security protections.

Therefore, don’t disable it merely because you want Hyper-V gone.

If a specific software vendor instructs you to change it for compatibility, understand the security trade-off before proceeding.

Should You Disable Virtualization in BIOS or UEFI?

Usually, no—not if your only goal is to disable Hyper-V.

Your processor’s hardware virtualization setting may appear in BIOS/UEFI under names such as:

• Intel Virtualization Technology
• Intel VT-x
• AMD-V
• SVM Mode
• Virtualization Technology

Disabling hardware virtualization is a much broader change.

It can affect:

• Hyper-V
• Virtual machines
• WSL
• Windows Sandbox
• Android emulators
• Other virtualization software
• Security technologies that depend on virtualization

If your objective is simply to stop Hyper-V, Windows-level configuration is usually preferable to disabling CPU virtualization in firmware.

Does Disabling Hyper-V Turn Off CPU Virtualization?

No.

These are two different things.

Your processor may support hardware virtualization.

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization platform that can use that hardware capability.

Think of it like this:

Hardware virtualization = engine

Hyper-V = software using the engine

Disabling Hyper-V doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve disabled virtualization support in your CPU.

Does Disabling Hyper-V Improve FPS?

There is no universal performance improvement that applies to every Windows 11 PC.

If Hyper-V or related virtualization features are actively affecting a particular workload, changing those features could alter performance or compatibility.

But for many gaming systems, the biggest performance factors remain:

• GPU performance
• CPU performance
• RAM
• Drivers
• Game settings
• Resolution
• Background processes
• Thermal throttling

Therefore, don’t treat “disable Hyper-V” as a guaranteed FPS boost.

It’s better viewed as a troubleshooting or configuration option.

Does Disabling Hyper-V Improve PC Performance?

Potentially, depending on what your system is doing, but don’t expect a dramatic improvement simply from unchecking Hyper-V.

If you aren’t running virtual machines, Hyper-V may not be consuming resources in the same way as an actively running virtual machine workload.

Other Windows virtualization and security features can also be relevant.

If you’re investigating performance, measure before and after rather than assuming the result.

How to Fix Problems After Disabling Hyper-V

Suppose you disabled Hyper-V and something stopped working.

Don’t panic.

Start by reversing the change.

Step 1: Re-enable Hyper-V

Open:

optionalfeatures

Enable Hyper-V again.

Restart.

Step 2: Check BCDEdit

If you previously ran:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

run:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Then restart.

Step 3: Re-enable Required Windows Features

If you also disabled:

• Virtual Machine Platform
• Windows Hypervisor Platform
• Windows Sandbox

re-enable the components your applications need.

Common Mistakes When Disabling Hyper-V

Mistake 1: Disabling Everything at Once

Don’t turn off every virtualization feature without knowing why.

It makes troubleshooting more difficult.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to Restart

Many Windows feature changes don’t fully take effect until after a reboot.

Mistake 3: Disabling BIOS Virtualization

If you only need Hyper-V disabled, changing BIOS/UEFI virtualization settings is usually unnecessary.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Security Features

Disabling virtualization-based security can have security implications.

Mistake 5: Assuming Hyper-V Is the Only Virtualization Component

Windows has several related technologies.

Disabling one doesn’t necessarily disable all of them.

Hyper-V Disable Methods Compared

Method	Difficulty	Best For
Windows Features	Easy	Beginners
DISM	Medium	Command-line users
PowerShell	Medium	Administrators
BCDEdit	Advanced	Preventing hypervisor launch
BIOS/UEFI	Advanced	Broad hardware virtualization changes

For most people, start with Windows Features.

Only move to more advanced methods when you have a specific reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I disable Hyper-V in Windows 11?

Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, press Enter, uncheck Hyper-V, click OK, and restart your PC. You can also disable it with DISM or PowerShell.

2. Why can’t I find Hyper-V in Windows Features?

Hyper-V availability depends partly on your Windows edition and configuration. If the feature isn’t listed, you may be using an edition that doesn’t provide the Hyper-V feature through the normal Windows Features interface.

3. Does disabling Hyper-V disable virtualization?

No. Disabling Hyper-V doesn’t necessarily disable hardware virtualization in your CPU. Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM can remain enabled in BIOS/UEFI.

4. Why is the Windows hypervisor still running after disabling Hyper-V?

Other Windows components can use the hypervisor, including certain virtualization, security, and isolation features. You may need to investigate Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Memory Integrity, or other related features depending on your objective.

5. How do I enable Hyper-V again?

Open optionalfeatures, enable Hyper-V, click OK, and restart. If you previously disabled hypervisor startup with BCDEdit, run bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto and restart.

Final Thoughts: How to Disable Hyper-V in Windows 11

Learning how to disable Hyper-V in Windows 11 is relatively straightforward once you understand the difference between Hyper-V itself and the other Windows virtualization technologies surrounding it.

For the simplest approach:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter optionalfeatures.
3. Find Hyper-V.
4. Uncheck the feature.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart your computer.

If you need a command-line solution, you can use:

DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

For situations where you specifically need to stop the Windows hypervisor from launching at boot, you can use:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Remember that these are different actions.

If Hyper-V still appears to be active, investigate related Windows features rather than repeatedly disabling the same setting. Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Sandbox, WSL-related components, and virtualization-based security can all be relevant depending on your setup.

Finally, don’t disable BIOS/UEFI virtualization unless you actually need to. It’s a much broader change and can affect several applications and Windows features.

The safest approach is simple: change only what your particular situation requires, restart Windows, test the result, and reverse the change if necessary.