--- title: Microsoft Hyper-V canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/hyper-v/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 73 rank: 4 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Microsoft Hyper-V Virtualization built into Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education, with no separate download. 73 points out of 100. #4 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: Microsoft. Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/virtualization/hyper-v-on-windows/about/ - Hyper-V is a built-in Windows feature with no separate download; it can't be installed on Windows 10 or 11 Home [2]. - Microsoft says it is included with Windows, with no extra hypervisor licensing cost [1]. - Generation 2 virtual machines offer UEFI Secure Boot and virtual TPM 2.0 [1]. - Nested virtualization lets a guest install its own hypervisor and run its own virtual machines [3]. - Enhanced Session Mode shares clipboard, drives and USB devices, for Windows guests only [5]. Verdict: Hyper-V suits Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education users who want snapshots, Secure Boot, virtual TPM and nested virtualization at no extra cost [1][2][3]. The catch: it is not available on Windows Home, only Windows guests get device sharing, and other desktop hypervisors may not run reliably beside it [2][5]. Best for: Windows Pro users who want virtual machines without extra software. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows, Linux | 8/8 | Overview says guests include many versions of Windows, Linux and FreeBSD [1]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | None | 0/4 | Documented as built into Windows and Windows Server only [1]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | No | 0/5 | Install guide says the Hyper-V role can't be installed on Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home [2]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | Yes | 8/8 | Overview says you can snapshot virtual machines before changes and roll back [1]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Yes | 5/5 | Overview says Generation 2 virtual machines have UEFI firmware, Secure Boot and virtual TPM 2.0 support [1]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | NAT, Bridged, Host-only | 6/6 | NAT runs through an internal switch [4]; external switches reach the physical network [4][8]; internal switches link the host and virtual machines [8]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Yes | 4/4 | Nested virtualization lets a guest virtual machine install its own hypervisor and run its own guests [3]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages [6]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Not published | 0/8 | Overview lists GPU partitioning, but the GPU partitioning guide names only Windows Server hosts and server GPUs [1][9]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Yes | 6/6 | Enhanced Session Mode shares USB devices such as flash drives with Windows virtual machines [5]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Yes | 6/6 | Enhanced Session Mode shares local and removable drives, including drive C, with Windows virtual machines [5]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Yes | 4/4 | Enhanced Session Mode provides a shared clipboard for Windows virtual machines [5]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's pages [1]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | Yes | 4/4 | Microsoft's September 2026 security updates name Windows Hyper-V in five CVEs, such as CVE-2026-69553 [10]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | Hyper-V ships inside Windows. Windows 11 release information lists updates dated 2026-09-22 and 2026-09-29 [7]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | Included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education at no extra hypervisor cost. Not available on Home [1][2]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | Built into Windows, so $0 under our rule. It needs a Windows edition that includes it [1][2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Hyper-V in Windows | Included with Windows Pro, Enterprise and Education [1][2] | $0 | Hyper-V has no separate price, but it needs a Windows edition that includes it. Windows Home does not [1][2]. ## Strengths - Included with Windows, so no separate hypervisor licence cost [1]. - Generation 2 virtual machines support UEFI Secure Boot and virtual TPM 2.0 [1]. - Nested virtualization is documented, including WSL 2 in a nested Hyper-V VM [3]. - Enhanced Session Mode shares the clipboard, drives and USB devices with Windows guests [5]. ## Limits - The Hyper-V role can't be installed on Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home [2]. - Device sharing through Enhanced Session Mode works only for Windows guests [5]. - Other virtualization apps such as VMware Workstation and VirtualBox might not start virtual machines, or run unreliably, while Hyper-V is running [2]. - Microsoft describes Hyper-V as built into Windows and Windows Server; no macOS or Linux host is described [1]. ## Sources 1. [Hyper-V virtualization in Windows Server and Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/overview), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [Install Hyper-V in Windows and Windows Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/install-hyper-v), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [What is Nested Virtualization for Hyper-V?](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/nested-virtualization), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [Create and configure a virtual switch with Hyper-V](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/create-a-virtual-switch-for-hyper-v-virtual-machines), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 5. [Share devices with Hyper-V Windows virtual machines](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/enhanced-session-mode), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 6. [Create a virtual machine in Hyper-V](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/create-a-virtual-machine-in-hyper-v), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 7. [Windows 11 - release information](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 8. [Plan for Hyper-V networking in Windows Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-hyper-v-networking-in-windows-server), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 9. [Partition and share GPUs with virtual machines on Hyper-V](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/gpu-partitioning), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-09 10. [September 2026 Security Updates](https://api.msrc.microsoft.com/cvrf/v3.0/cvrf/2026-Sep), Microsoft Security Response Center, accessed 2026-10-09