- Which Windows editions include Hyper-V
- Hyper-V on Windows versus Hyper-V on Windows Server
- Hardware you need for free Hyper-V
- How to turn on Hyper-V for free
- Other ways to enable Hyper-V
- One conflict to know about before you switch it on
- What free Hyper-V can run
- My verdict on whether Hyper-V is free
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hyper-V is free in the sense that there's nothing extra to buy. It's built into Windows 10 and Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise and into Windows Server. But Microsoft says the Hyper-V role can't be installed on Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home, so on a Home PC you'd need to upgrade Windows first.
That edition rule is the reason so many people search this. They try to switch Hyper-V on, can't find it, and assume it's a paid add-on. It isn't. Below is what Microsoft's own Hyper-V documentation says, checked as of October 2026, including the hardware your PC needs.
Which Windows editions include Hyper-V
| Windows edition | Hyper-V included? |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise | Yes |
| Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise | Yes |
| Windows 11 Home | No, the role can't be installed |
| Windows 10 Home | No, the role can't be installed |
| Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025 | Yes, as the Hyper-V role |
Microsoft describes Hyper-V as its hypervisor built into Windows Server and Windows. It says the Windows Server version is designed for enterprise deployments, with features like live migration, high availability and disaster recovery, while Hyper-V in Windows is a lightweight option for development and testing.
Hyper-V on Windows versus Hyper-V on Windows Server
Both are included with the operating system, but they aren't the same tool. Here's how Microsoft's overview separates them.
| Capability | Hyper-V in Windows 10/11 | Hyper-V in Windows Server |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Development and testing | Enterprise deployments |
| Live migration | Not the focus | Yes, including shared nothing live migration |
| High availability | Not the focus | Yes, with Failover Clustering and Cluster Shared Volumes |
| Disaster recovery | Not the focus | Hyper-V Replica, plus Azure Site Recovery |
| Shielded virtual machines | Not the focus | Yes, with Host Guardian Service |
| Web management | Hyper-V Manager | Windows Admin Center |
For a small business, that split is the real decision. A Pro laptop gives you free test machines. Running your company's servers as virtual machines with failover is a Windows Server job, and Windows Server is licensed separately.
Hardware you need for free Hyper-V
This is where the second set of failures happens. Even on Pro, Hyper-V won't install unless the processor supports it. Microsoft lists these requirements:
- A 64-bit processor with second level address translation (SLAT), which Microsoft says is now required rather than recommended.
- VM Monitor Mode extensions.
- Enough memory: Microsoft says to plan for at least 4 GB of RAM.
- Virtualisation support switched on in the BIOS or UEFI, through Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) or AMD Virtualization (AMD-V).
- For SLAT, the processor needs Intel's Extended Page Table (EPT) or AMD's Nested Page Table (NPT).
The BIOS setting is the one to check first. Microsoft notes the feature might be turned off in the UEFI or BIOS, which is common on new PCs, and it's a free fix.
How to turn on Hyper-V for free
Microsoft says Hyper-V can be enabled through the Windows control panel, PowerShell or the DISM tool. The PowerShell route is the quickest:
- Check that you're on Windows 10 or 11 Pro or Enterprise in Settings.
- Make sure virtualisation is enabled in your BIOS or UEFI.
- Right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as Administrator. Microsoft warns the commands fail otherwise.
- Run: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All
- Restart the PC when Windows asks.
- Open Hyper-V Manager and create your first virtual machine.
On Windows Server, Microsoft says you install the Hyper-V role through Server Manager or the Install-WindowsFeature cmdlet in PowerShell.
Other ways to enable Hyper-V
- Control panel: open Turn Windows features on or off and tick Hyper-V.
- DISM: Microsoft describes the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool as a way to configure Windows and Windows images, and it can switch the feature on from a command prompt.
- Server Core: on a Windows Server Core install, Microsoft says the -IncludeManagementTools parameter installs only the Hyper-V Module for Windows PowerShell, so you'd manage it remotely.
One conflict to know about before you switch it on
Microsoft's install guide includes a quiet condition: you shouldn't plan to use third-party virtualisation apps that rely on the same processor features Hyper-V needs. If you already run another hypervisor on the same PC, check how it behaves with Hyper-V turned on before you commit.
What free Hyper-V can run
Microsoft says Hyper-V supports many versions of Windows, Linux and FreeBSD as guest operating systems. That makes it a reasonable free choice for testing software on different systems, running an old app in its own Windows install, or keeping a Linux machine on a Windows laptop.
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My verdict on whether Hyper-V is free
If you're on Windows Pro or Enterprise, Hyper-V is already paid for and waiting to be switched on. If you're on Home, it isn't free for you, because the cheapest way in is a Windows upgrade, and a free desktop hypervisor may suit you better. I've compared VMware vs Hyper-V, covered whether VirtualBox is free and listed the best free virtual machine software for Home users.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hyper-V free on Windows 11?
Yes, on Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise, where it's built in. Microsoft says the Hyper-V role can't be installed on Windows 11 Home.
Do I need to pay for Hyper-V Manager?
No. Hyper-V Manager comes with the Hyper-V feature on Windows Pro and Enterprise, so there's nothing extra to buy once Hyper-V is enabled.
Why can't I find Hyper-V on my PC?
The most common reasons are a Home edition of Windows, which can't install Hyper-V, or virtualisation being switched off in the BIOS or UEFI.
How much RAM do I need for Hyper-V?
Microsoft says to plan for at least 4 GB of RAM, and more if you want to run several virtual machines.
Is Hyper-V included in Windows Server?
Yes. Microsoft's install guide covers Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025, where you add Hyper-V as a server role.
Is Hyper-V on Windows 11 the same as on Windows Server?
No. Microsoft says Hyper-V in Windows is a lightweight option for development and testing, while the Windows Server version adds enterprise features such as live migration, high availability and Hyper-V Replica.
Can I turn on Hyper-V without PowerShell?
Yes. Microsoft says you can enable it through the Windows control panel, PowerShell or the DISM tool.
Can Hyper-V run Linux?
Yes. Microsoft says Hyper-V supports many versions of Windows, Linux and FreeBSD as guest operating systems.
