# Hyper-V Application: Microsoft Corporation Also called hyper v, hyperv, vmms, vm worker Microsoft Corporation, System In-box hypervisor on Windows Pro and Enterprise. It is an optional Windows feature, not a download from a forum. It is not VirtualBox. ## What you need to know Hyper-V is an optional Windows feature on Pro. It is not VirtualBox. Enable Hyper-V from Windows Features. vmwp.exe is a guest worker. There is no legitimate Hyper-V exe on a download forum. VirtualBox is Oracle's app. - **What is it?**: In-box hypervisor on Pro and Enterprise **Download it?**: No. Enable the optional feature **Same as VirtualBox?**: No. VirtualBox is Oracle's app Feex says If Hyper-V is missing on Home, I would not hunt a setup.exe. I would use VirtualBox or upgrade the edition. This is an optional feature, not a forum download. ## What is Hyper-V? Hyper-V is the in-box hypervisor. You enable it. You do not install it from a third-party exe. vmwp.exe runs a guest. VirtualBox.exe is Oracle. ## If you have never used it If you are on Windows Pro or Enterprise, Hyper-V is Microsoft's hypervisor already on the disk. Turn it on under Windows Features. There is no Hyper-V setup.exe from a forum. Home editions do not include it. VirtualBox is a different product you download from Oracle. ## What is it used for? **Windows and Linux VMs** Hyper-V Manager or PowerShell. This is not VirtualBox Manager. **Optional Windows feature** Turn Windows features on or off, or Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature. No forum installer. **Host for other Microsoft stacks** WSL 2 and Windows Sandbox use the Windows hypervisor platform. They are not this Manager UI. ## Who is it for? - Windows Pro and Enterprise users - People who were told to "download Hyper-V" - Admins who already use Hyper-V Manager ## Current status Hyper-V (2008) is a current in-box windows hypervisor from Microsoft Corporation. The vendor still points Windows users at https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/. ## How old is it? Hyper-V shipped with Windows Server 2008 and later landed on Pro client Windows. It is an optional feature, not a 2024 store app. Windows Sandbox and WSL 2 use related virtualization pieces. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Windows 11 Pro / Enterprise Windows 10 Pro / Enterprise Windows Server Hyper-V ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education with Hyper-V available, per Microsoft. Not Windows Home | | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | RAM | Microsoft-class hosts want enough RAM for Windows plus each guest | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | vmwp.exe | Per-VM worker. vmms.exe is the management service. Hyper-V Manager is the UI. | | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | vmms.exe | Virtual Machine Management Service | ## Startup components vmms starts when Hyper-V is enabled and a VM needs management. You do not add vmwp.exe to Startup Apps. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Windows\System32\vmms.exe | | --------------- | ---------------------------- | ## Common problems ### Searched for a Hyper-V installer That is how people land on junk exe hosts. Use Windows Features on Pro or Enterprise. ### VirtualBox or VMware then fail to start Two hypervisors on one host fight. Plan which stack owns VT-x / AMD-V. ## Getting unstuck ### Turn Windows features on: Hyper-V Or run the Learn-documented PowerShell enable. Restart when Windows asks. ### Confirm the edition is Pro, Enterprise, or Education Home does not ship this feature. VirtualBox is the usual Home path. ### Enable virtualization in firmware if the checkbox is grey Intel VT-x or AMD-V. That is firmware, not a missing download. ## Alternatives VirtualBox and VMware Workstation are downloadable type-2 apps. WSL is Linux on Windows, not Hyper-V Manager. Windows Sandbox is a disposable VM feature. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/)Official installer or vendor page | | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Help | [learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/)Vendor support | | Official site | [learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/)Start here, not a random exe host | | Enable Hyper-V on Windows | [learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/install-hyper-v ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/get-started/install-hyper-v)Optional feature, not a forum exe | ## Related hardware Needs a CPU with virtualization extensions and firmware that exposes them. Microsoft also documents SLAT. RAM follows the guests you run. ## Technical details Technical details Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [Windows Sandbox: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/windows-sandbox)[VirtualBox: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/virtualbox)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [Hyper-V official site ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/)· Vendor product page - [Hyper-V help ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/)· Vendor support - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Microsoft Corporation **Category**: In-box Windows hypervisor **Process**: vmwp.exe **License**: Included with supported Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions **First released**: 2008 **Official site**: [Microsoft Learn: Hyper-V](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/hyper-v/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)