Running Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and VMware Simultaneously on One Computer

2024/07/18

Key Notes

Incompatibility between hypervisors requires toggling settings.
Use methods to switch Hypervisor settings easily.
Separate OS installations can simplify hypervisor management.

Mastering the Use of Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and VMware on One PC

Microsoft Hyper-V, Oracle VirtualBox, and VMware Workstation are leading virtualization tools for Windows environments. Nevertheless, their incompatibility poses challenges for users wishing to run all three on a single computer. This guide will provide clear steps to manage hypervisors effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running Multiple Hypervisors

Step 1: Toggle Hypervisor Settings Easily

To enable your host machine for compatibility with Hyper-V, you must activate the Hypervisor. Conversely, to use VirtualBox or VMware, you need to disable it. Here’s how:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type bcdedit to display boot entries and find the identifier for your OS, which should read {current}.
Check the hypervisorlaunchtype status: if it shows AUTO, Hyper-V is enabled; if OFF, it is disabled.
Run this command to disable Hypervisor:

bcdedit /set {current} hypervisorlaunchtype off

To reactivate Hyper-V, type:

bcdedit /set {current} hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Pro Tip: You will need to perform this switching each time you want to change hypervisors.

Step 2: Utilize HyperVSwitch for Quick Changes

The Hyper-V Switch simplifies the toggling of Hypervisor settings. This tool updates the BCD file and allows you to switch Hyper-V on or off effortlessly with just one click. A system restart is necessary for these changes to take effect.

For more information and to download this tool, visit github.com.

Pro Tip: Always run the HyperVSwitch with administrative rights to ensure proper functionality.

Step 3: Create Separate Boot Instances

For a permanent solution, consider creating two distinct boot instances of Windows 11—one with Hypervisor enabled and another without. This method avoids the need for repetitive switching.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and check the hypervisor state using bcdedit.
If the hypervisor is ON, run:

bcdedit /copy {current} /d "Win 11 without Hypervisor"

If the hypervisor is OFF, type:

bcdedit /copy {current} /d "Win 11 with Hypervisor"

Save the generated identifier string for future use.
To toggle the boot entry state, utilize the commands:

bcdedit /set {copied-identifier-value} hypervisorlaunchtype off

bcdedit /set {copied-identifier-value} hypervisorlaunchtype on

Remember to replace {copied-identifier-value} with the identifier you previously saved.

Pro Tip: After restarting, you will be prompted to choose which Windows instance you want to use.

Summary

This guide explored the compatibility issues surrounding Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and VMware on a single machine, offering methods for toggling Hypervisor settings, using HyperVSwitch for easier management, and creating separate boot instances for a permanent solution.

Conclusion

While running Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and VMware on a single computer poses challenges due to their incompatibility, the methods outlined here can help streamline the management of your virtualization environments. Armed with this information, you can optimize your setup according to your needs.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can you run Hyper-V and VMware on the same machine?

Yes, you can run Hyper-V and VMware on the same machine, but not at the same time. Either switch between using Command Prompt or HyperVSwitch, or set up two separate OS instances with one having Hypervisor turned off.

Can I use VirtualBox and VMware together?

Indeed, Oracle VirtualBox and VMware Workstation can exist and operate concurrently on a single host, as both are Type 2 hypervisors, provided there is sufficient memory allocated for both applications.