Windows 8: How to install or enable Hyper-V virtualization

Windows 8 - Hyper-V Manager

Hyper-V virtualization technology is now included in Windows 8, but this is a feature that not everyone is going to be using, so it is disabled by default in the operating system. In this Pureinfotech how-to you’ll learn how to install or enable Hyper-V virtualization in Windows 8.

Something to keep in mind: Using Hyper-V you can only create virtual machines on 64-bit versions or Windows 8, but the client tools are available for 32-bit and 64-bit versions. In the case you are using the 32-bit version of Windows 8, you will be able to go through the installation process, but you won’t be able to create a virtual machine (VM).

Installing or enabling Hyper-V step-by-step

1.  Open the Run command by using the Win Key +R, then type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter. You could also access Windows Features by navigating through the Control Panel and clicking Programs and Features or doing a search in the Start screen, but this is simpler.

Windows 8 - Run command - Appwiz.cpl

2.  In Programs and Features, from the left menu, click on Turn Windows Features on or off.

Windows 8 - Programs and features

3.  Once in Windows Features, check the Hyper-V option from the list and then click OK.

Windows 8 - Windows Features: Hyper-V

Now Windows will complete the installation process of adding Hyper-V.

Windows 8 - Enabling Hyper-V virtualization

Once the new feature was added, you can launch Hyper-V from the Start screen Metro style dashboard. And as you can see in the image below, this feature adds 3 new tiles to the dashboard: the Hyper-V Manager to create and manage VMs; Hyper-V Virtual Machine this is going to allow you to connect remotely to VMs, and start VM Statistics Logging that will open the Performance Monitor to view the virtual machine performance and more.

Windows 8 - Start screen Hyper-V Manager

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.