Although it is now possible to run a series ofLinux distributions natively on Windows 10, these environments can be somewhat limited in terms of features and tools you can use. Also, you can only choose from three distributions, including Ubuntu, SUSE Linux Enterprise, and OpenSUSE Leap, and you're stuck at the command line interface, meaning you can't run any of the graphical experiences (e.g. GNOME, KDE, XFCE) or Linux-based graphical applications.
Of course, you can always install your favorite Linux distribution on a second machine, but if you don't have one, it's still possible to run a full version of Linux with a virtual machine (VM).
If you're running Windows 10, you can enable Hyper-V on your device to create a VM to install your favorite distro, whether you're a developer or an enthusiast just wanting to know what the Linux Fuzz goes.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to install most Linux distributions on virtual machines that use Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization feature.
- Guide requirements
- How to enable Hyper-V in Windows 10
- How to create a virtual machine with Hyper-V
- How to install Ubuntu Linux with Hyper-V on Windows 10
Guide requirements
To run a Linux virtual machine on Windows 10, you need the following:
- A computer with Hyper-V support.
- An ISO file to install your favorite Linux distribution.
In this guide we use Ubuntu version 17.10, which you can download fromOfficial Ubuntu website. However, it is possible to install version 16.04, which may be a more stable version of the open source project, and you can also install other distributions including:
- CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- Debian.
- SUSE.
- OracleLinux.
- free BSD.
How to enable Hyper-V in Windows 10
Hyper-V is a virtualization technology from Microsoft, available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education, that allows you to create one or more virtual machines to install and run different operating systems on the same physical hardware.
Check compatibility with Hyper-V
Although Hyper-V is part of Windows 10, there is a minimum hardware requirement that a computer must meet to enable the feature.
- 64-Bit-CPU mit Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
- The processor must support the VM Monitor Mode Extension (VT-c on Intel chips).
- At least 4 GB of RAM.
Besides, you have to take care of itvirtualization technologyjHardware-enforced DEPThe options are enabled in your system BIOS.
You can quickly verify that your computer has the necessary support to use Hyper-VSystem Information:
- OpenStart.
- SeekSymbol des Systemsand click on the top result.
- Enter the following command and pressGet into:
systeminfo.exe - LowHyper-V Requirements, if the result saysAnd, then you can run Hyper-V.
When the command appearsNOunder Hyper-V requirements, your hardware doesn't support this feature or you need to make sure you enable it manually.
Hyper-V activation
Use the following steps to enable Hyper-V on Windows 10:
- OpenSwitchboard.
- Click onSoftware.
- Click onTurn Windows features on or off.
- Check theHyper-VEnsure options:Hyper-V Management ToolsjPlattform Hyper-Vare also selected.
- ClickOKto start the process.
- After the installation is complete, clickRestart nowto apply the changes.
How to create a virtual machine with Hyper-V
After adding the virtualization layer to Windows 10, you need to create a virtual machine for the Linux distribution you want to use.
However, before you do that, you need to create a virtual switch so that the virtual machine can connect to the internet.
Create a virtual switch
Use the following steps to configure a virtual switch in Hyper-V:
- OpenStart.
- SeekHyper-V-Managerand click on the top result.
- Click on thatactionMenu.
- ChooseNeuand clickvirtual switch manager.
- Select in the left paneNew virtual network switch.
- Select rightExtern.
- Click on thatcreate virtual switchTaste.
- Enter a new friendly name for the switch (e.g. MyVirtualSwitch).
- Under Connection type, make sure your network adapter is selectedred outside.
- ClickUse.
- ClickOK.
Create a virtual machine
After creating the virtual switch, you can proceed to create a new virtual machine:
- OpenStart.
- SeekHyper-V-Managerand click on the top result.
- Click on thatactionMenu.
- ChooseNeuand clickVirtual machine.
- Click on thatNextTaste.
- Enter a descriptive name for your virtual machine (e.g. vm-ubuntu).
- Use the default location to save your virtual machine, or check theSave the virtual machine to a different locationPossibility to choose another route.
- ClickNextKeep going.
- You can keep the default settingGeneration 1selected option. Or you can chooseGeneration 2if you want a UEFI based firmware.
- ClickNext.
- Choose the amount of RAM you want to allocate to your virtual machine. With Ubuntu you need at least 2 GB of RAM. You can allocate as much memory as you like, but this setting is always dependent on the physical memory available on your computer.
- ClickNext.
- Use the drop-down menu to select the virtual switch created earlier.
- ClickNext.
- You can leave all the default settings to create a virtual disk, but underSizeMake sure you assign at least25GBDisk space, which is the minimum required to run Ubuntu.
- ClickNextKeep going.
- Under Installation Options, select theInstall an operating system from a bootable CD/DVD-ROMPossibility.
- ChooseImage file (.iso)Possibility.
- Select the path of the ISO file containing the Ubuntu installation files.
- ClickNext.
- Clickconclude.
How to install Ubuntu Linux with Hyper-V on Windows 10
The last step is to start the virtual machine and install the Linux distribution you want to use.
- In Hyper-V Manager, under Virtual Machine, right-click and select the newly created deviceConnect.
- Click on thatStart(Power button.
- Choose your language.
- Click on thatInstall UbuntuTaste.
- Check theInstall third-party graphics softwarejWi-Fi hardware, Flash, MP3 and other mediaPossibility.
- ClickKeep going.
- ChooseAnything elsePossibility.
- ClickKeep going.
- Double-click the/dev/sdaDrive.
- ClickKeep going.
- double clickfree space.
- Under "Use As" use the drop down menu and selectexchange areato create a swap partition.
- Under Size, select the amount of space for the swap partition, which should be approximately twice the memory allocated for the virtual machine.
- ClickOK.
- double clickfree spaceonce again.
- Select the disk space to allocate for the installation.
- Under "Mount Point" use the drop down menu and select root/.
- ClickOK.
- Chooseext4Listenpartition.
- Click on thatInstall nowTaste.
- ClickKeep goingto install Ubuntu.
- Select your time zone.
- ClickKeep going.
- Select the keyboard layout.
- ClickKeep going.
- Create a user account with your data.
- ClickKeep going.
- Reboot the virtual machine to complete the configuration.Short tip:If during the final reboot process you get a message that you need to remove the installation and pressGet into, but pressing the button doesn't restart the VM, just click theTurn offpress and then turn it on again.
After completing the steps, you can power on the VM and start using Ubuntu Linux alongside Windows 10.
While we've focused on setting up Ubuntu in this guide, you can refer to these instructions for running other Linux distributions as well.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to frequently asked questions about Windows 10, see the following resources:
- Windows 10 in Windows Central: everything you need to know
- Windows 10 help, tips and tricks
- Windows 10-Foren in Windows Central
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Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak is the Technical Writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is writing comprehensive guides to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA and is a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.
18 comments
Interesting. I didn't know Windows had one built in. I would have gone with Virtualbox or VMware but I'll give it a try now. Nice comment box too.
For Windows 10, Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions support Hyper-V.
has been native to Windows since Windows 8
What kind of graphics does Hyper-V support independent of the system GPU or does it use @n emulated GPU like vbox and VMware?
(Video) Hyper-V - Creating a Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 10 using Hyper-V - Ubuntu 20.04 LTSIsn't it just Hyper V Pro?
More specifically, it's available in every Windows 10 SKU except the Home edition... Although the article doesn't say so.
Handy refresher, I think it should be noted that Windows 10 Home doesn't support Hyper-V :).
I remember burying the Hyper-V option to virtualize Linux very deep due to the lack of fullscreen support and I couldn't connect devices like VMware or Virtual Box "directly" to the VM. Then I gave up Windows 10 and am now running virtualized Windows Server 2016 on VMware on Linux. So far the best option.
Exactly. We only use Hyper-V at work (network techs) and it's terrible with Linux unless you're installing next-gen Ubuntu or something. Linux distributions that are actually used in enterprise environments (Red Hat, Centos, etc.) don't work well with it. Keep window virtualization within Linux and save yourself the headache.
supports full screen, even on Linux VMs.
You are now in full screen mode - unfamiliar with external devices, never tried
You have the full screen option
I haven't used Windows as my primary operating system in years, so I don't know.
I really enjoy Hyper-V. I now have 3 VMs running:
1. The W10 Insider Information
2. Linux-Menta
3. Elementary OS I've also tried Fedora and other distributions: some work fine and some don't. Note: I'm a home user, I don't know if that's enough for a professional environment.I love linux!!!
I came here to check if there is sound available on Linux on Hyper-V. Since you don't specifically mention it, I'm guessing the answer is still no. You get no sound from your Hyper-V Linux installations.
From memory, changing the screen resolution requires changing the grub configuration.This is exactly why I use VirtualBox. I have W10Pro but Hyper-V is off. I need as much experience with virtual machines as possible.
I just tried this and selected a generation 2 VM which wouldn't boot the ISO.
I changed it to generation one and now it's installing.
In windows - 1903 - 18875.1000
with a desktop version Ubuntu 18.10.(Video) Run Linux on Windows using Hyper-V!
FAQs
How to create a Linux Hyper-V virtual machine in Windows 10? ›
- Open Hyper-V Quick Create from the start menu.
- Select an operating system or choose your own by using a local installation source. If you want to use your own image to create the virtual machine, select Local Installation Source. ...
- Select "Create Virtual Machine"
- Enable Hyper-V as described above.
- Open 'Hyper-V Manager' by: ...
- On the 'Actions' pane click 'Quick Create' and the Quick Create tool will open.
- Select a version of Ubuntu from the versions on the left. ...
- Click 'Create Virtual Machine' and wait for the VM image to be downloaded.
Hyper-V can run not only Windows but also Linux virtual machines. You can run an unlimited number of Linux VMs on your Hyper-V Server because the majority of Linux distributions are free and open source.
How to fix not enough memory in system to start virtual machine in Hyper-V? ›To fix the Not enough memory in the system to start the virtual machine error in Hyper-V, you need to assign less amount of RAM for the virtual machine. For that, right-click on the virtual machine and select the Settings option. Then, switch to the Memory tab and enter a lower amount of RAM.
How to set up a Linux VM on Windows? ›- Download the free VMware Workstation Player.
- Install, and restart Windows.
- Create and configure your virtual machine.
- Install Linux in the virtual machine.
- Restart the virtual machine and use Linux.
Using Quick Create
Select the Ubuntu 20.04 virtual switch from the Network menu and click More options to give the new virtual machine a name. Consequently, to begin the installation procedure, choose the Create Virtual Machine option. Hyper-V will automatically download and install Ubuntu.