How to install windows 11 on a virtual machine (Hyper-V)

Whenever I write about Windows 11 tricks and tips, I test the trick first on all the Windows editions and versions. I do not have multiple computers; instead, I use Virtual Machine to install various Windows editions and versions.

The Virtual Machine let me install and experience different versions and editions of Windows 11 without risking my current OS. If you also want to use VM instead of a physical computer for installing Windows operating system, read the following paragraphs. I want to write about the steps required to install Windows 11 on a Hyper-V Virtual Machine.

The Virtual Machine or VM is a computing resource that uses software instead of the physical computer for running the programs. When you create a virtual machine on a host machine and run a program with that VM, it functions separately from the physical/host machine.

Since Hyper-V is an optional feature in windows 11, you need to enable it first on your PC. I have already written about enabling the Hyper-V feature in Windows 11; I will not discuss it here. You can check How to enable the Hyper-V feature in the Windows 11 article.

In this tutorial, I create a Virtual machine on Hyper-V using Windows 11 pro and install Windows 11 enterprise edition.

Step one: Create a new Virtual Machine (VM) on Hyper-V

After enabling the Hyper-V feature, follow the steps below to create a new virtual machine on Hyper-V.

1. Open the Hyper-V Manager from Start menu or search box. Or, press the Windows + R buttons and write Virtmgmt.MSC and click on the OK button.
2. Select your device name from the left pane and click the New > Virtual Machine from the right pane.

3. The Before you begin wizard pops up; if you click the finish button, the VM will be created using the default values. And if you click the Next button, the new wizard shows up, so you can specify the values for your VM.

4. Select a related name for your VM and click next. If you want to store the VM in a different location rather than the default location, tick the radio button (Store the Virtual machine in a different location) and browse for the location.

5. Now specify the generation of the Virtual machine. Remember to select the generation carefully because you cannot change it later. One of the differences between the two generations is: Generation 1 supports both 32-bit and 64-bit guest OSs while Generation 2 only support the 64-bit operating system. I recommend going with Generation 2.

6. Assign the amount of memory for the VM that you need. Since Windows 11 needs at least 4 GB RAM, the amount is automatically selected. There is also a check box for the Dynamic memory that allows the VM to consume memory amount per its need. Click next.

7. Choose the default or other network adaptor from the drop-down menu for your VM. The Network adaptor connects your VM with your host network. Click the next button.

Connect your Virtual Machine to a Virtual Hard Disk

8. You need to connect your VM with a virtual hard disk to run an operating system. If you want to specify storage for your VM now, check the Create a virtual hard disk option. Give it a name, select its location and specify the size of the virtual hard disk. (You can leave it to its default as well). Alternatively, if you have already created a Virtual Hard disk, select the use an existing hard disk option and browse for the existing Virtual hard disk. Moreover, if you want to specify the virtual hard disk later, check the Attach a virtual hard disk later option. I go withthe first option with its default configuration.

9. Finally, you must select the Operating system you want to install on the VM. There are also three options: You can install an operating system now, later, or from the network. If you install an operating system now, download the Windows ISO file, select the Install an operating system from a bootable image file option, and browse for the ISO file. After you choose the ISO file, click next.

Related: How to download Windows 11 ISO file (All editions)?

You have completed the VM wizard. See the description of the new VM and click finish.

Step two: Enable the TPM and secure boot on Virtual Machine to run Windows 11

You have created the VM in the previous section successfully. To officially install Windows 11 on a Virtual Machine, you must enable the TPM and secure boot on your VM. However, you can also bypass those requirements: Read the article ” How to install Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet Windows 11 requirements.

To enable the TPM and secure boot on your Virtual machine, follow the below steps:

1. In the Hyper-V Manager environment, right-click on the Virtual Machine you want to configure and click Settings.

2. Select the Security option from the left-hand side.
3. Now Check the Enable Secure Boot option and Enable Trusted Platform Module options.

4. Click on the apply button and click ok to close the wizard.

Step three: Install windows 11 on a virtual machine (Hyper-V)

Following the above two steps, your VM is ready to install Windows 11 editions.

1. Right-click on the Virtual Machine name and click on the Connect
2. Select the start button or press the Ctrl+S button to start the virtual machine.

3. Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
4. Enter the language and click the next button to continue.

5. Click on the Install Now button.
6. Accept the license terms and click next.

7. Select the custom type of installation to do a clean installation.
8. It automatically allocates a location; click next.

9. Wait till the installation process reach 100%. Then your VM will restart.

10. After the restart, select the country, keyboard layout input and click next to pass the steps.
11. If you want a second keyboard layout, click add a layout. Or press the skip button.
12. Now connect to a network to set up your device professionally. Turn off your computer network if you do not want to connect your VM to a network. And continue with a limited setup.

13.  Enter a name for your windows and click next.
14. Create a memorable password and confirm the password and click next.
15. In case you forget the password, choose three security questions and answer them. Click next.
16. Choose the privacy setting for your device and click next.
17. Finally, accept the privacy and wait for a few minutes; your device restart, and you are in the new OS after the restart.

Conclusions

To wrap up, if you want to experience a new OS on your PC without risking the current one, use the Virtual machine. A virtual machine is a guest machine installed on virtualization software such as Hyper-V, Virtual box, and VMWare. This article taught you the required steps to install a Windows 11 Enterprise on a Hyper-V virtual machine.

I hope you like the tutorial, and if you do so, share your thoughts and questions in the comment section.