Run a second computer inside your desktop
A virtual machine lets you install another operating system without replacing the one on your computer. In this walkthrough, I use Kali Linux, a Linux distribution with tools for learning and testing security.
The original tutorial was published in 2016 and used the Hyper-V wizard available with Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro, and Windows 10 Pro. Those version references describe the original setup; they aren’t a recommendation to install an old version of Windows today. For a current Kali installation, also consult the official Kali Hyper-V guide.
What you need
- A Windows computer with Hyper-V support and hardware virtualization enabled.
- Hyper-V installed and enabled.
- An installation ISO from the official Kali Linux download page.
- Enough available memory and disk space for both the host computer and the virtual machine.
Create the virtual machine
- Open Hyper-V Manager. Press the Windows key, search for Hyper-V Manager, and open it. Select your computer in the left pane.
- Start the wizard. Choose New > Virtual Machine, then click Next.
- Name the machine. Choose a name that will help you recognize it later, such as Kali Lab. Continue through the wizard, selecting a virtual machine generation appropriate for your installation image.
- Assign memory. Choose an amount that meets the guest operating system’s requirements while leaving enough for Windows. In my original test, I turned off Dynamic Memory.
- Choose a network connection. If you’ve already created a virtual switch, select it here. You can also leave the machine disconnected and configure networking later.
- Create a virtual hard disk. My original demonstration used 30 GB. Check the current installer requirements and allow room for updates and anything you plan to install.
- Attach the ISO. Select the option to install an operating system from a bootable image, browse to your downloaded ISO, and select it.
- Finish the wizard. Review the settings and click Finish. The machine should appear in Hyper-V Manager.
Start the installer
Double-click the virtual machine to open its console, then click Start. Boot from the attached ISO and follow the operating system’s installation prompts. Creating the virtual machine prepares the virtual hardware; it doesn’t complete the Kali installation by itself.
The same general process works with other installation images, including Windows, provided you choose compatible settings and meet the operating system’s licensing and hardware requirements.
