Install Windows 11 on a Hyper-V Virtual Machine

What you need

1. A compatible host. Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education. Hyper-V is not in the Home edition.
2. A Windows 11 ISO from the Microsoft website.
3. Enough disk space. At least 64 GB for the virtual disk, plus space for the files.
4. Enough RAM. At least 4 GB for the VM.

Step 1: Enable Hyper-V

1. Open the Start menu, search for Turn Windows features on or off and open it.

   

2. Tick Hyper-V (with both sub-items) and click OK. Restart the PC when asked.

   

Step 2: Open Hyper-V Manager

Search for Hyper-V Manager in the Start menu and open it.

Step 3: Create the virtual machine

1. Click Action > New > Virtual Machine.

   

2. Enter a name and choose Generation 2. Windows 11 needs it.

   

3. Assign memory, 4096 MB or more.

   

4. Choose a virtual switch for networking, such as the Default Switch.

   

5. Create a virtual hard disk of 64 GB or more.

   

6. Select Install an operating system from a bootable image file and pick the Windows 11 ISO.

   

7. Review the summary and click Finish.

   

Step 4: Enable TPM and Secure Boot

Windows 11 needs a TPM 2.0 chip. Before you start the VM:

1. Right-click the VM and open Settings > Security.
2. Tick Enable Trusted Platform Module and keep Secure Boot on.

Step 5: Install Windows 11

1. Right-click the VM, choose Connect and then Start.
2. Press any key when it asks to boot from the DVD.

   

3. Follow the installer: language, Install now, Custom install, and select the virtual disk.

   

Step 6: Finish and update

After setup, run Windows Update to get the drivers and the latest fixes. Hyper-V integration features are already part of Windows 11.

Important notes

• If installation fails, check that the VM is Generation 2 with TPM and Secure Boot on.
• Performance depends on the RAM and CPU cores you give to the VM.

Quick recap

• Enable Hyper-V, create a Generation 2 VM and attach the ISO.
• Enable TPM before the first start.