Can Hyper-V and VMware Workstation Run Together?

The tech world keeps changing, especially with Virtualisation tools like Hyper-V and VMware Workstation. Many wonder if these platforms can work on the same computer. To answer this, we need to understand how they interact, considering the latest updates.

Recently, VMware Workstation/Player 15.5.5 started working with Hyper-V mode on Windows. This was a big step towards better user experience. Before, Hyper-V’s technologies like Credential Guard made it hard for VMware to work smoothly.

VMware and Microsoft have worked together to solve these compatibility challenges. They used Microsoft’s WHP APIs to improve VMware’s Hypervisor. This means users might use Hyper-V and VMware together more easily. We will explore how Nesting Virtualisation helps them work together and the best ways to make them perform well.

Understanding Hyper-V and VMware Workstation

The world of virtualisation tech has changed a lot. Hyper-V and VMware Workstation are now top choices. Hyper-V, made by Microsoft, lets you run many systems on one physical machine. It’s great for IT experts who manage different environments.

VMware Workstation, on the other side, is perfect for creating virtual machines on a desktop. It supports many guest systems, has top-notch 3D graphics, and tools for testing. Developers and testers find this mix of features perfect for their needs.

Knowing the basics is key to see if they work together. Hyper-V works best with newer Windows versions. This is good for those using Microsoft’s products. VMware can handle various Windows and Linux versions, ideal for high-performance tasks.

Both aim to make managing virtual spaces easier. Looking at how cookie policies affect these can teach us about data use. Using these technologies helps businesses use resources better and build strong systems.

Compatibility Issues Between Hyper-V and VMware Workstation

Many users, about 32%, face issues when running Hyper-V and VMware Workstation together. The main problem comes from both using hardware virtualization features. Intel VT and AMD-V are needed for both hypervisors to work well.

Windows features like Virtualization Based Security (VBS) make things even harder. They add an extra layer that stops VMware Workstation from getting to needed hardware. This leads to conflicts, showing how hard it is to use both technologies at the same time.

Hyper-V is best for Windows 2022 virtual machines. But, VMware Workstation fits better in workstation settings. To avoid issues, it’s wise to choose VMware Workstation version 15.5.5 or newer. Your system should also have at least 60GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. It should work with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors.

There are steps to turn off Hyper-V with PowerShell, including:

1. Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All
2. Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-Hypervisor
3. bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

For Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041 or newer), use VMware Workstation version 15.5.6 or above. Even with this advice, using Hyper-V and VMware at the same time usually has problems. So, it’s important for users to think carefully about what they need.

Can Hyper-V and VMware Workstation Run on the Same Computer

Running Hyper-V and VMware Workstation on the same machine is intriguing for tech enthusiasts. But, using them at the same time can cause technical issues. These problems often stem from how each system manages virtual machines and uses computer resources.

Technical Limitations of Running Both

Before VMware and Microsoft worked together, turning on Hyper-V stopped VMware Workstation from working. This caused issues with operating systems and managing resources for both hypervisors. Now, thanks to the Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHP) APIs, VMware Workstation can run with Hyper-V from version 15.5.5. But, users should be careful as there could still be conflicts affecting performance.

Processor and Operating System Requirements

Running both technologies smoothly requires meeting specific system needs. For VMware Workstation 15.5.5 or later, you must have at least Windows 10, build 19041.264. This build supports the Windows Hypervisor APIs. On the hardware side, your computer needs an Intel Sandy Bridge or AMD Bulldozer processor. These requirements help ensure your system can handle both virtualisation technologies well.

Running VMware Workstation with Hyper-V Enabled

For those using both VMware Workstation and Microsoft Hyper-V, it’s key to know version details. VMware Workstation needs to be version 15.5.5 or newer for best use with Hyper-V. This effort from Microsoft and VMware helps both platforms work well together.

Version Requirements for VMware Workstation

VMware Workstation’s latest version, 15.5.5, updates for Hyper-V support. Now, you can run VMware with Hyper-V at the same time. This version makes it smoother to use both technologies together.

New Features in Workstation 15.5.5

Workstation 15.5.5 includes User Level Monitor (ULM) mode and Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHP) APIs. These improve how VMware and Hyper-V work together. The User Level Monitor improves how virtual machines interact, boosting performance. With WHP APIs, you can use more virtualisation tools without turning Hyper-V off.

This table shows the new features of VMware Workstation 15.5.5 in contrast to earlier versions. These innovations improve how it works with Hyper-V. Using these updates, users can enjoy a better virtualisation experience.

Nesting VMware Workstation Within Hyper-V

The world of nested virtualisation is full of chances for users. It lets you run VMware inside Hyper-V. This trick helps in making and handling VMs within VMs, useful for testing and developing. Knowing how this tech works is key to use it well.

How Nested Virtualization Works

Nested Virtualization makes it possible to have VMware Workstation running in a Hyper-V setup. For it to work right, certain Hypervisor configurations need adjustment. You have to switch on options like “Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI” in VMware’s settings. It’s all set for Windows 10 version 20H1 or newer. If you hit snags, online forums can offer help, pointing out critical settings and steps. For more info, check out nesting VMware Workstation.

Performance Considerations

Running VMware inside Hyper-V can slow things down. This is because of the extra workload from having VMs inside VMs. To handle this, managing resources well is vital. Making sure there’s enough CPU and memory for Hyper-V and VMware VMs can help. This way, the VMs won’t fight over resources, leading to better performance.

In short, using nested VMs brings great flexibility but also challenges. Recognising how performance and resource use affects your setup is crucial. Setting things up right greatly enhances the experience with nested virtualisation.

Best Practices for Virtualisation

To make your virtualisation work better, follow well-known best practices. It’s very important to give the right amount of CPU and RAM to each virtual machine. Using things like Skillable’s Integration Services or VMware Tools can make them work their best.

Keeping your software up to date is key. Regular updates to platforms like Hyper-V and VMware Workstation bring new features. They also make things more compatible and secure. This makes your virtual setup more reliable. It’s a good move to stop Windows updates during important lab times. This avoids any interruptions.

It’s crucial to plan how Hyper-V and VMware Workstation will work together. Use each platform’s strengths wisely but be careful of possible issues. For example, using the same screen resolution across all virtual machines helps. It ensures everything looks right on different screens. This makes using your virtual machines easier.