How to install virtual machines for Windows 10?

Probably, many users of modern computer systems have encountered the concept of virtual machines. Not everyone, however, knows what it is and why. Let's try to explain this with examples of what virtual machines for Windows 10 are. In this case, a brief overview of the general rules for their installation and creation will be made, especially since they are almost the same in most of them. So you can consider such a question on the basis of a single program.

What are virtual machines for Windows 10?

We will not go into the consideration of a huge number of technical terms and principles of work, it is enough to look at this concept in terms of, so to speak, simple and intelligible language.

The virtual machine for Windows 10, however, as well as for other operating systems of this family, is a special software that allows you to emulate a real computer, but only in a virtual plan. That is, physically the computer, with all its "iron" and software components is missing, but is represented in the system itself in the form of its virtual copy.

This is somewhat similar to a certain constructor, where there are parts from which you can assemble the desired configuration by the way physically computer terminals are assembled manually. In other words, for example, a virtual machine for Windows 10 x64 allows you to create a 32- or 64-bit computer system with a certain type of processor, RAM, virtual hard disk, video or graphics adapter, etc., and install it Any "operating system", different from "ten" (yes, even Linux or Mac OS X).

Major Programs

If we talk about programs that are virtual machines for Windows 10, today they can be found quite a lot. However, the most common and practical ones are such products as Oracle VirtualBox (or Innotek VitrualBox), MS Virtual PC, VMware Workstation.

What will be used in the process of creating a virtual computer system is not important. The fact is that installing a virtual machine on Windows 10 in all the basic principles is very similar. Differences can concern only some specific nuances.

How to create a virtual machine in Windows 10: general rules

In general, the process of creating a virtual machine includes several main stages, which are almost identical to each other. However, in case of using third-party programs the user will have to decide the question: "How to install a virtual machine on Windows 10?"

And not everyone understands: why use additional software, if in the "top ten" already has a built-in module, called Hyper-V? After all, using it to create virtual machines for Windows 10 is much easier, because you can do without other specific applications. And in some of them the procedure can be quite confusing.

On the other hand, you can note several basic steps: installing the program or activating the module, naming the machine and creating a location, determining the parameters of RAM, virtual disk and other "iron" components and installing a guest operating system. There is no sense in describing all the programs, so let's take a look at the option of using the Hyper-V module.

Pre-enabling the built-in Hyper-V client

We'll talk at once: the Hyper-V module is only present in the versions of the "dozens" of Pro and Enterprise. In other versions it is not. By default, it is turned off, so as not to use the resources of the computer system at all levels. It must be turned on.

To do this, you need to log in to the Programs and Features section of the Control Panel, where you select the Windows menu. It simply puts a tick in front of the module name. You will have to wait a few minutes for the service to be activated. After that, the system will be rebooted, and then the "Hyper-V Manager" component appears in the administration section. This is our virtual machine for Windows 10. It remains to apply its configuration.

Creating a Virtual Switch

When you enter the appropriate dispatcher, you first need to create a virtual switch. This, by the way, virtual machines for Windows 10, created with the help of third-party programs, and differ from the module Hyper-V. They simply do not have such an opportunity, although many say that in the case of the "native" module, this only complicates the situation.

Nevertheless, it is the switch that allows you to configure the Internet connection. So, start the "Dispatcher", and then click on the name of the computer and select the same module for virtual switches. There are three types: external, internal and private. It is better to choose the first option (a network card or Wi-Fi will be used). Next, click the create button, set the name of the switch, select the required connection type and activate the "Apply" button.

The basic stages of creating a virtual machine

Now you can do the machine itself. For this, the same "Hyper-V Manager" is used, in which the command to create a virtual machine is selected in the right-hand menu. At the first stage, as in all other programs, we specify its name and location on the hard disk or in the logical partition.

Next is the choice of generation. Many experts advise choosing the second one, since it has a number of additional features and works even with UEFI, but does not support the installation of 32-bit systems. The first generation copes equally well with 32- and 64-bit systems, but does not support UEFI, so it's up to you.

Reservation of the RAM can be left unchanged (here the automatic determination of the optimal parameter operates, unlike the other programs, the module is still "native"), but with a physical "RAM" at 4 GB and above, the bar can be raised. It is advisable not to use dynamic expandable memory. This can affect the operation of the main system.

In the next network setup window, you must select the created switch from the drop-down list , and then specify the reserved space on the hard drive. After that, we specify the locations of the previously installed image with the system supposed to be installed and click the "Finish" button.

To activate, use the selection of the created virtual machine in the "Hyper-V Manager" and activate the appropriate command. After that, click on the green button on the panel. The system will offer to press any key, after which the activation and installation of the guest operating system will be performed in the normal mode.

Enabling Virtualization in the BIOS

But that's not all. If you do not enable virtualization in the BIOS, the virtual machine created for Windows 10 x64 or x32 may not work.

To activate this component, before entering the system, we enter BIOS settings (usually Del, F2, F12, etc.), then go to the advanced settings section.

There is a line like Virtualization Technology. By default, this component is disabled (it is set to Disabled). Change it to Enabled and exit the BIOS with saving changes (usually the F10 key - Save & Exit Setup). After rebooting, the virtual machine can be used without any restrictions.

In principle, an additional check of devices during boot for the BIOS can be included in the virtual machine itself, in the corresponding section of the parameters. But this, so to speak, just in case.