How to enable Hyper-V on Windows 7?

Hyper-V is a server-side application up to Windows 8.1 and upcoming version of Windows 10, which include it in the client, too (as the update of Virtual PC).

Therefore you won't find it under Windows 7. In Windows 7 the optional virtualisation software is Virtual PC (Windows XP mode). You can download it in the download base on the Microsoft pages.

Under Windows 7, you can install the optional Hyper-V Management client, though you will need Windows 7 Pro. With this management tool you will be able to control/administer Hyper-V installed on a server system, from your client.

So the question is: Do you want to run a virtual system on your Windows 7 or do you want to administrate Hyper-V, running on a server system, from your Windows 7 client?!


Install the "Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)" and you will be able to select Hyper-V from Turn Windows features on or off.

See more here


You can only install Hyper-V manager in Win 7 Pro or above version.

Edit: Someone mentioned this is incorrect. However, based on my experience, the option of installing Hyper-V is missing on Win7 Home so I can't install it (I can only install it onon Win7 Pro). So please also check out others answer too.