How to Run VirtualBox and Hyper-V on the Same Computer

If you’ve ever tried running VirtualBox and Hyper-V on the same machine, you’ve probably encountered errors and conflicts. This happens because both virtualization platforms rely on hardware acceleration and typically cannot operate simultaneously. However, there are ways to configure your system to allow them to coexist. In this article, we'll explain how you can achieve this.

Why Do Conflicts Occur Between VirtualBox and Hyper-V?

The primary issue is that Hyper-V takes control of hardware virtualization features (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) needed by VirtualBox. When Hyper-V is enabled, it reserves these resources, preventing VirtualBox from accessing them. However, there are several solutions that allow you to switch between these platforms without issues.

Method 1: Disabling Hyper-V When Using VirtualBox

This method is suitable for users who do not need to run Hyper-V and VirtualBox simultaneously but want a quick way to switch between them.

Steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. To disable Hyper-V, enter the following command: 
    bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
  3. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
  4. You can now run VirtualBox without conflicts.
  5. To re-enable Hyper-V, use the following command: 
    bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Method 2: Using Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHPX)

The Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHPX) allows VirtualBox to work on a system with Hyper-V enabled. This is the most convenient approach as it does not require you to toggle between virtualization systems manually.

How to Enable Windows Hypervisor Platform:

  1. Go to Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. Find and enable the option Windows Hypervisor Platform.
  3. Click OK and restart your computer.
  4. In VirtualBox settings, enable WHPX:
    • Open the settings of the virtual machine in VirtualBox.
    • Go to the System tab → Acceleration tab.
    • Check the option Enable Hyper-V Paravirtualization.

With this configuration, VirtualBox can run on a system with Hyper-V enabled.

Method 3: Using VMWare Workstation Player (Alternative Option)

If running VirtualBox and Hyper-V together is not meeting your needs, consider using VMWare Workstation Player, which also supports working alongside Hyper-V. This could be a great alternative, especially if you are already familiar with this platform.

How to Enable Compatibility with Hyper-V in VMWare Workstation:

  1. Open the virtual machine settings in VMWare Workstation.
  2. Navigate to the Processors section and check the option Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI.
  3. Restart the virtual machine.